烟草在线据《星报》报道编译　　主要由于市场营销与经销成本的开支降低，以及与品牌有关活动的时间安排，英美烟草公司的净利润增长了8.9%。

　　在2012财年的第一季度，英美烟草公司的净利润为1.9461亿林吉特，相比之下，去年同期的净利润为1.7856亿林吉特。

　　总收入增长了5.1%，从去年的9.9215亿林吉特增长到10.4亿林吉特，这与马来西亚国内销量取得增长及分包合同制造收入增多是一致的。

　　英美烟草公司董事会宣布第一次期中股息为每股65仙，股息总计达到1.8559亿林吉特，支付日为5月25日。

　　在与公司的经营结果一起发布的声明中，英美烟草公司说，去年第一季度，集团的销量与市场份额受到了当地某些经济价位以下的品牌以低于政府规定的最低价格出售活动的不利影响。

　　英美烟草公司说：“由于马来西亚政府决定在2011年不提高消费税，马来西亚相关政府部门加大了遏制非法卷烟贸易和非法定价活动的工作，同时，登喜路的业绩表现十分强劲，因此，公司的销量与去年同期相比增长了4.5%。”

　　英美烟草公司还补充说：“今年到目前为止，公司的市场份额保持稳定在62.5%，与上一季度相比提高了0.2%。”

　　登喜路去年继续取得强劲的业绩，今年3月份保持其有史以来最高的市场份额：46.6%，而其余的品牌则继续保持弹性。

　　至于今年的前景，由于到目前为止的市场份额与2011年全年相比增长了1.4%，英美烟草公司对品牌组合的继续发展保持乐观。

　　它说，尤其是登喜路，继续着在去年所展示的值得称道的业绩。加上最近在4月推出的新产品，英美烟草公司相信，它将会把登喜路带到更高的高度。

　　然而，英美烟草公司补充说：“非法贸易的威胁仍然普遍，由马来西亚烟草制造商联合会委托开展的非法卷烟研究发现，非法烟草在2011年全年达到了36.1%。”

BAT earnings up on lower marketing spend

The Star
Tuesday April 24, 2012

　　PETALING JAYA: British American Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT) recorded an 8.9% increase in net profit mainly due to lower spend in marketing and distribution costs, as well as timing of brand-related activities.

　　For its financial year 2012 first-quarter net profit, BAT achieved RM194.51mil compared with RM178.56mil in the same period a year ago.

　　Revenue grew by 5.1% from RM992.15mil a year ago to RM1.04bil, in line with higher domestic volume as well as greater sub-contract manufacturing revenue.

　　The board of directors has declared a first interim dividend of 65 sen per share, amounting to RM185.59mil, payable on May 25.

　　In a statement released with its results, BAT said the first quarter last year was a period which saw the group’s volume and market share adversely impacted by the activities of certain local sub-value-for-money brands selling below the Government-mandated minimum price.

　　"With the Government's decision not to raise excise tax in 2011, increased effort by relevant Government agencies in curbing illegal cigarette trade and illegal pricing activities as well as strong performance by Dunhill, the group's volume grew by 4.5% as compared to same period last year," it said.

　　"The group's market share year to date of 62.5% was stable, up 0.2% as compared to preceding quarter," it added.

　　Dunhill continued its strong performance last year, maintaining its highest-ever market share of 46.6% in March this year, while the rest of the brands continue to remain resilient.

　　As for its outlook this year, BAT is optimistic that the group will continue to grow with its portfolio of brands, increasing market share by 1.4% year to date as compared to 2011 full year.

　　It said that Dunhill, in particular, continued with its commendable performance as displayed last year. Coupled with the recent new product launch in April, the group is confident that it will take Dunhill to greater heights.

　　"Nevertheless, the threat of illicit trade is still prevalent, with illicit incidence of 36.1% recorded for full-year 2011 Illegal Cigarettes Study commissioned by Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers," it added.