BAT Expects Around 2% Revenue and Operating Profit Growth in FY25

Dec.09.2025
BAT Expects Around 2% Revenue and Operating Profit Growth in FY25
British American Tobacco (BAT) reaffirmed its 2026 guidance while announcing a £1.3 billion (approximately USD 1.65 billion) share buyback for FY26. The company expects around 2% growth in revenue and adjusted profit from operations for FY25. Accelerating New Category growth, driven by Velo Plus and improving U.S. Vuse performance, is expected to deliver double-digit H2 revenue growth.

Key highlights

 

  • Expected FY25 revenue and adjusted operating profit growth of approximately 2%.
  • New Category revenue to accelerate to double-digit growth in H2, mid-single digit for full year.
  • Strong U.S. performance, with Velo Plus delivering triple-digit growth and on track for full-year profitability.
  • Improved Vuse volumes and revenue supported by Federal and State enforcement against illicit Vapour.
  • Announced £1.3bn (approx. USD 1.65bn) share buyback for FY26.
  • Leverage expected to reduce to 2.0–2.5x by end-2026, maintaining strong cash generation and progressive dividend policy.

 

2Firsts, December 9, 2025 – According to British American Tobacco (BAT), the company remains on track to deliver its full-year FY25 performance and has reaffirmed its 2026 guidance, alongside announcing a £1.3 billion (approximately USD 1.65 billion, per wise.com exchange rate on December 9, 2025) share buyback for FY26.

 

BAT expects around 2% growth in both revenue and adjusted profit from operations for FY25. The Group anticipates accelerating New Category revenue to double-digit growth in H2, resulting in mid-single-digit growth for the full year. Strong momentum in the U.S.—led by combustibles and Velo Plus—continues to underpin results, with Velo Plus on track for full-year profitability.

Chief Executive Tadeu Marroco stated: “Full-year delivery remains on track. I am pleased with our strong U.S. momentum—the world’s largest nicotine market. Velo Plus continues to perform exceptionally well, while recent Vuse improvements are encouraging, supported by early enforcement actions tackling illicit Vapour.”

 

BAT highlighted sustained New Category growth across all regions, with Velo leading the Modern Oral segment—the fastest-growing, lowest-risk category relative to cigarettes. The Group continues to roll out premium heated product glo Hilo and premium vape platform Vuse Ultra in priority markets.

 

BAT expects operating cash flow conversion to exceed 95% in FY25, with capital expenditure of around £650 million. The company reaffirmed its commitment to progressive dividends, sustainable share buybacks, and reducing leverage to within 2.0–2.5x adjusted net debt/EBITDA by end-2026.

 

Image source: BAT

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
The UK government has announced that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will carry out more than 30,000 interventions targeting businesses and retail premises during the 2026-2027 financial year. The actions will focus on tax fraud, illegal goods sales and businesses involved in unlawful activities through retail channels. The government said illegal tobacco and illegal vape sales remain areas of concern. The move shows that UK enforcement against illegal nicotine products is expanding from import and supply channels toward retail-level oversight, alongside the upcoming introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Jul.24
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21
IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
Philip Morris International’s IQOS has entered the Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands for the first time, ranking No. 74 with a brand value of $36.634 billion and becoming one of only three newcomers to the 2026 ranking. Kantar said the combined value of the Global Top 100 reached $13.1 trillion, up 22% year on year, while the threshold for entry rose to a record high. PMI says IQOS has more than 35 million users worldwide and surpassed $10 billion in annual net revenues within a decade of launch.
Sep.03
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) has expanded the ZYN by IQOS oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan with four new ZYN Strong products, adding a third intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges. The Strong series first entered selected duty-free channels in Japan on July 1, 2026, before expanding to IQOS stores, the ZYN Online Store and selected tobacco retailers from August 18. The expansion increases the Japanese ZYN by IQOS lineup from eight to 12 products.
Aug.20
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is expanding its Ploom heated product ecosystem with LYO tobacco-free nicotine sticks. Designed specifically for Ploom devices, LYO contains nicotine but no tobacco. Public information shows that the product has gradually entered several European markets, including Spain, Portugal and Germany, and was officially introduced in Romania in July 2026. The launch highlights JTI’s efforts to explore broader nicotine consumable formats beyond traditional tobacco-based sticks.
JTI
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives