Soft drinks maker Nichols, which owns the Vimto brand, said its full year figures would beat expectations, pushing its shares up in morning trading.
The firm said total sales for the year ended 31st December had increased by 9% to £108m, with export sales increasing by 8%.
It expects group profit and earnings per share to be significantly ahead of 2011 and ahead of market expectations.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
"Despite another year of significant cost inflation and high levels of promotional activity, we expect, as a minimum, to maintain our operating margins," said Chairman John Nichols.
"This has been achieved by a combination of good cost control and ongoing productivity improvements."
It highlighted that the UK market, as measured by A.C. Nielsen, increased in value by 3.2% for the year to 8th December 2012 with underlying volume down 0.6%.
MM
-
8 of the best houses for sale with annexesThe best houses with annexes – from a period property in the Lake District to a 13th-century house with a two-bedroom annexe in Saltwood, Kent
-
Zelenskyy moves to appease Donald Trump – what happens now?Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is conceding ground to secure the least-worst deal possible, says Emily Hohler
