Cadbury Schweppes Reports Strong First Half Earnings Growth

26 July 2000 - Highlights

·A strong sales and profit performance in the half-year drove a 16% underlying earnings per share increase.
·A robust performance in beverages reflected volume growth and market share gains particularly in North America.
·Confectionery performance was satisfactory overall, despite a slow market in the UK. Good progress was made in Europe and key emerging markets such as India and China.
·Two important recent acquisitions - Hawaiian Punch and Dr Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group - both made a positive contribution to earnings and exceeded expectation.
·Proposed acquisitions announced during the half year included Hollywood gum and sugar confectionery which will make Cadbury Schweppes the leading player in the French confectionery market.