BAT net profit increased 5.7% & declared RM0.63 dividend

• BAT net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 rose 5.7% to RM182.72 million from RM172.86 million.
• The earnings arising from lower financing costs due to better bond rates obtained in 2009, lower tax expense for year of assessment 2009 and higher utilisation of reinvestment allowance.
• BAT declared a third interim dividend of RM0.63 per share, tax exempt under the single-tier tax system, amounting to RM179.88 million for FY2010.