Marston’s reports encouraging trading: Marston’s has reported trading in the 16 weeks to 21 January has been encouraging, including good trading over the Christmas and New Year period despite tough comparatives. It stated: “In Destination and Premium, like-for-like sales were 1.5% ahead of last year including like-for-like food sales growth of 0.6%, wet like-for-like sales growth of 1.4% and strong growth in room income. Importantly, operating margins are in line with last year. Our plans to open at least 20 new pub-restaurants and bars and five lodges in the current financial year are on track. In Taverns, managed and franchise pub like-for-like sales were 1.5% ahead of last year. In Leased, profits are estimated to be around 2% ahead of last year. In Brewing, our strong brand portfolio has performed well with own-brewed volume up 3% in the year to date and operating margins slightly ahead of last year. Since it is still early in the financial year our expectations for the full year are unchanged. We will announce our Interim Results for the 26 weeks to 1 April 2017 on 17 May 2017.” Chief executive Ralph Findlay added: “We traded well over the Christmas period with like-for-like sales growth for the fifth successive year despite tough comparatives. In Brewing, we have continued to outperform and once again have achieved good growth with a particularly strong performance in the off-trade.”

Fever-Tree reports accelerating sales growth: Fever-Tree, the supplier of premium carbonated mixers, has announced that the strong growth achieved in the first half of 2016 accelerated in the second half of 2016. It stated: “It is expected that sales in the second half will be ahead of the prior year period by 75%. As a result, full year revenue is expected to be circa £102.2 million, reflecting growth of 73% on 2015. Sales in the UK performed exceptionally well in the second half of 2016 and full year revenue is expected to be circa 118% ahead of 2015. Sales performance has been strong in both the On-Trade and Off-Trade channels, with particularly notable growth achieved over the Christmas period against a very strong prior year comparator. Sales in Continental Europe performed well in the second half of 2016, and it is anticipated that full year revenue will be circa 39% ahead of 2015. In the USA, strong revenue growth also continued during the second half of 2016, and as a result, full year revenue for the territory is expected to be circa 55% ahead of 2015. Rest of World sales growth accelerated in the second half of 2016 and full year revenue is expected to be circa 88% ahead of 2015. Over the period, Fever-Tree’s free cash flow generation and balance sheet have remained strong. Accordingly, the group’s year-end net cash position is anticipated to be ahead of board expectations. Following the group’s trading update on 7 November the sales in the final two months of the year, particularly in the UK, were stronger than anticipated and therefore the board expects that the outcome for the full year will be materially ahead of its expectations.” Tim Warrillow, co-founder and chief executive of Fever-Tree, said: “We are delighted with our performance in 2016. Fever-Tree continues to gain market share in both the on and off trade and while we have experienced strong growth across all regions, our performance in the UK has been particularly notable culminating in a very strong Christmas period. Fever-Tree continues to pioneer and lead the premium mixer category. We believe the global opportunity remains in its early stages and will continue to be supported by the long term premiumisation of the spirits sector as well as the growing movement towards mixed and long drinks. As a result, the board remain confident of the future outlook for the business.”