Cigarettes news

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Imperial Tobacco says 2009 trading as expected

(Refiles to correct day to Wednesday)

* Performance for FY to end Sept. in line with expectations
* Weaker trading in Europe offset by rest of world
* Says Alison Cooper to be new COO

LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) - British cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco (IMT.L) said on Wednesday its trading for the year to September 2009 was likely to remain in line with management forecasts.

The company, which makes brands including Gauloises and Lambert & Butler, said a better-than-expected performance in its 'Rest of the World' region was offset by weakness in the European Union, particularly Poland.

It added that it had appointed internal candidate Alison Cooper as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Imperial shares, down 13 percent in the year to date, closed on Tuesday at 1613 pence, valuing the business at just under 16 billion pounds ($23.45 billion).

(Reporting by John Bowker)

 

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