Imperial Tobacco revealed plans for a pounds 20 billion-plus cigarettes and cigars giant after unveiling a possible 11.5 billion euros (pounds 7.87 billion) offer for European rival Altadis.

By Karen Attwood Imperial Tobacco surprised the market yesterday with a $1.9bn ([pound]970m) acquisition of a US discount cigarette maker in a move that catapulted it into the No 4 position in the country.

By Nic Fildes Imperial Tobacco is looking to spread its wings into high-growth markets in eastern Europe and the US as fewer consumers in the UK and Germany buy cigarettes.

Imperial Tobacco celebrated its tenth year as a public company yesterday by reporting an 8% rise in full-year profits to pounds 1.17bn.

By Nick Goodway, Evening Standard, London Oct. 31--As western Europeans cut back on smoking, Imperial Tobacco has shifted its emphasis to eastern Europe in order to grow its profits by 5 percent last year.