Imperial Tobacco Group News

Imperial Tobacco has been hit by a combination of new anti-smoking regulations, increased competition and tough conditions for consumers.

Australia's government claims in court filings that it has the legal right to enforce plain packaging on the tobacco industry, setting up what's likely to be prolonged legal battle with the world's largest cigarette makers.

When the going gets tough, nip outside for a ciggie. It's the only way Gareth Davis knows to deal with the stresses and strains of corporate life.

Imperial Tobacco Group was upgraded by Nomura from a "reduce" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note issued on Thursday.

Imperial Tobacco, the world's fourth-biggest cigarette maker, said its sales dipped 1 percent in the last quarter of 2011, hit by a tough Spanish market, Syrian sanctions and destocking in Ukraine and the United States.

High street retailer Next was in the top spot, helped by AlphaValue which upgraded the stock from add to buy and lifted the price target from 3,467.6p to 3,481.1p. Following suit, Imperial Tobacco was in demand after Citi reiterated its buy rating on the cigarette-making giant.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The new year has also meant some new beginnings at Commonwealth Altadis Inc.

Gareth Davis must have been puffing nervously on a cigarette this morning. In that respect, it would not have been dissimilar from any other morning for the former boss of Imperial Tobacco.