RÉMY COINTREAU’S PROFIT REPORT

Rémy Cointreau, the French drinks group, is looking good according to their first-half net profit report. They have more than doubled profit and plan to sell their Bols brand, which includes vodka and liqueurs, and cheaper champagnes, in order to concentrate on core drinks. Net profit for the six months to the end of September was €42.9m, up from €18.7m in the same period last year partly due to the disposal of a Polish division. Although volume is down, Remy did not seem worried and attributed the loss to its focus on premium brands such as its Piper-Heidsieck champagne. They promised a "resolute concentration on key brands" in the second half of their financial year.