Philip Morris beat first quarter underlying earnings per share estimates of 94 cents by 1 cent, the company announced today.
The company reiterated its 9-11 per cent full year underlying EPS growth estimate including the effect of the Nabisco acquisition.
The company's operating revenues, up 11.6 per cent to $22.36 billion from $20.04 billion, were boosted by strong growth in its US tobacco and overall food operations.
The US tobacco division posted a 7.7 per cent increase in its revenues to $1.2 billion in the first quarter, due largely to pricing and market gains for the Marlboro brand and other premium brands.
Kraft Foods domestic operating income grew 25.1 per cent to $1.2 billion, with underlying volume rising 35.2 per cent.
Beer operations experienced a 18.4 per cent income decline to $124 million, due to lower volume as well as double-digit increases in marketing spending behind its core premium brands.
AFP
