BAT's CFO Tadeu Marroco on Growth and Transformation

Sep.09.2022
BAT's CFO Tadeu Marroco on Growth and Transformation
BAT's CFO, Tadeu Marroco, discusses the company's growth and success in transitioning towards new product categories and providing shareholder returns.

The Chief Financial Officer of BAT, Tadeu Marroco, has stated that the company is attempting to revise its 2022 repurchase plan through a continuously increasing dividend policy, in order to successfully overcome the extremely challenging macroeconomic environment and provide generous returns to shareholders.


By delving a little deeper into these three different frameworks, it is clear from the results that a multi-category strategy is proving effective in helping the team to transform faster. Supported by very strong innovation channels and the establishment of strong global brands in each category, BAT will be able to successfully provide smokers with a different alternative – one that is much lower-risk than cigarettes. In terms of business transformation, we achieved a milestone of 20 million consumers in the first half of this year. This led to very strong growth, reaching 45% from revenue generated from these new categories. This lays the foundation for us to achieve 51% growth in 2021. Therefore, we are obviously continuing last year's momentum into 2022.


In just the first half of the year, we have invested 1.1 billion pounds in these new products, while managing to reduce losses by 50% in the same period.


Therefore, we are currently ranked number one in the global e-cigarette market thanks to our Vuse product. Our modern oral product Velo is a leading competitor in international markets outside the US. We are also one of the fastest growing brands in THP. We have performed exceptionally well in each of these three categories. At the same time, we are delivering strong financial results. Our revenue is up nearly 4% on a fixed exchange rate basis and our earnings per share are up nearly 6% on a currency exchange basis. Adjusted earnings per share on a fixed exchange rate basis are also up 6%. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that BAT's figures do include foreign exchange transactions. Therefore, we have taken a hit of 1.5% in equivalent terms in the first six months of this year. This is part of our figures.


We are delivering in terms of cash. Over the past six months, we have converted 77% of our profits into cash. We are successfully navigating the macroeconomic environment. It's certain that our business is not immune to the effects of inflation, declining consumer purchasing power, and the fact that we are seeing more and more interest rate increases. However, the reality is that we have some levers to pull here.


One reason for this is related to our very high profit margin business, as well as our strong cost reduction plan that was launched as early as 2020. Our goal is to achieve savings of £1 billion by the end of 2022, within a three-year period. We have already saved £1.5 billion so far, and we hope to exceed this figure for the entire year.


We have a highly adaptable product that has demonstrated significant pricing power during previous downturns in the tobacco industry. We have successfully implemented our pricing strategy for the year, achieving 90% of our goals thus far.


So, we have made very good progress in the first six months. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done in the transition itself. We now have bold plans to introduce new innovations in the market in the second half of this year.


We have our product, glo hyper, in THP. We are now launching a new improved device called X2 with new features. It is lighter and smaller. Additionally, we are introducing new consumables to further satisfy consumers.


We have recently launched our first disposable in the vaping industry called Vuse Go, which is currently available in France, Ireland, Spain, and Germany. Our plan is to expand beyond Europe by the end of this year. Therefore, consumers can expect to see a lot of innovation from us in the second half of this year. At the same time, we will continue to expand our reach.


After achieving all of this, we anticipate a revenue increase of 2% to 4%. Therefore, we stand by our earlier statement of a median earnings per share growth. Additionally, with sustained strong cash generation, this means exceeding our usual target of converting profits into cash at 9%.


We have noticed that the environment there is becoming increasingly challenging. However, as I mentioned earlier, after taking several measures in our business structure at Quantum, we now have a more agile organization. Additionally, with the flexibility we have in our own products.


Therefore, we are committed to providing long-term sustainable shareholder value and are fully capable of doing so.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is solely for the purpose of exchange and research within the industry.


Due to limited translation skills, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or foreign-related expressions and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain is advancing a new tobacco-control reform that would expand smoking restrictions to additional public spaces, including restaurant terraces and beaches, while bringing vaping and other nicotine products into the same regulatory framework. The proposed measures aim to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, protect young people and expand smoke-free environments. The proposal remains under legislative development, and final implementation details have not yet been confirmed.
Jul.23
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
The FDA has authorized four additional on! nicotine pouches, bringing the U.S. total to 30. The decision marks another outcome of the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot, whose communication and review practices are now being applied more broadly across the category. It also extends Helix’s authorized portfolio from on! PLUS to the earlier on! line. Yet all FDA-authorized nicotine pouches still come from subsidiaries of PMI or Altria, underscoring how concentrated U.S. regulatory access remains.
Aug.05
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products made by Swedish Match USA through the premarket tobacco product application pathway on August 21, 2026. Ten of the authorized products have a labeled nicotine content of 9 mg, while ZYN ULTRA Smooth was authorized at 11 mg. The reviews were conducted through FDA’s nicotine pouch PMTA pilot program. FDA has now authorized 43 nicotine pouch products, including 23 through the pilot.
Aug.24
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
Philippine Local Governments Urge Marcos to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill
Philippine Local Governments Urge Marcos to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill, seeking a nationwide legal framework for tobacco and vape regulation. Local government leaders said national legislation would help standardize enforcement and strengthen public health measures. The proposal remains at the advocacy stage and has not yet become law.
Jul.29
Product | KT&G Brings LOOP Nicotine Pouches to South Africa, Supporting ASF’s Expansion Across Africa
Product | KT&G Brings LOOP Nicotine Pouches to South Africa, Supporting ASF’s Expansion Across Africa
KT&G has introduced nicotine pouch brand LOOP in South Africa, expanding its modern oral nicotine portfolio. Developed by Swedish company Another Snus Factory (ASF), LOOP is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch brand. KT&G and U.S. tobacco company Altria previously participated in ASF’s strategic development, and the South Africa launch represents a further step in LOOP’s international expansion.
Aug.06