LONDON--31 Jul--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest SUMMARYSIX MONTHS RESULTS 2008 2007 Change - unaudited Revenue GBP5,457m GBP4,725m +15% Profit from operations GBP1,724m GBP1,492m +16% Basic earnings per share 62.48p 52.94p +18% Adjusted diluted earnings per share 62.02p 53.51p +16% Interim dividend 22.1p 18.6p +19% - The reported Group revenue increased by 15 per cent to GBP5,457 million as a result of favourable exchange,improved pricing and a better product mix. Revenue would have increased by 6 per cent at constant rates of exchange. - The reported profit from operations was 16 per cent higher at GBP1,724 million with a similar increase if exceptional items are excluded. All regions except Latin America contributed to this strong result. Profit from operations, excluding exceptional items, would have been 7 per cent higher at constant rates of exchange. - Group volumes from subsidiaries were 334 billion, an increase of 1 per cent, mainly as a result of the good performances by the four Global Drive Brands, which achieved overall volume growth of 20 per cent with around a third of the rise coming from brand migrations. - Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose by 16 per cent, principally as a result of the strong growth in profit from operations and favourable exchange movements. - The Board has declared an interim dividend of 22.1p, a 19 per cent increase on last year, to be paid on 17 September 2008. - The acquisitions of Tekel and Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni were completed on 24 June 2008 and 2 July 2008 respectively and neither had any material impact on the profit from operations for the six months to 30 June 2008. - The Chairman, Jan du Plessis, commented "These very good interim results demonstrate the strength of British American Tobacco's business, as a result of the excellent growth from our Global Drive Brands, our leading market positions and our broad geographic spread. While not immune from the consequences of an economic slowdown, we can certainly look to the future with more confidence than most." ENQUIRIES: INVESTOR RELATIONS: Ralph Edmondson +44(0)20-7845-1180 Sharon Woodcock +44(0)20-7845-1519 PRESS OFFICE: David Betteridge/Kate Matrunola/ Catherine Armstrong +44(0)20-7845-2888 Source: British American Tobacco Plc --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--