Reynolds American profit rises 6.7 pct on higher pricing

The headquarters of Reynolds American is seen next to the old R.J. Reynolds Tobacco smoke stacks from a previous manufacturing plant in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina May 23, 2014. REUTERS/Chris Keane·Reuters· (Reuters)

(Reuters) - Tobacco major Reynolds American Inc's quarterly profit rose 6.7 percent as price increases helped to make up for a drop in cigarette volumes. The company's net income rose to $492 million, or 92 cents per share, in the second quarter ended June 30, from $461 million, or 84 cents per share, a year earlier. Net sales fell 0.7 percent to $2.16 billion. Reynolds American, which has agreed to buy smaller rival Lorillard Inc in a $25 billion deal, also raised the bottom end of its full-year adjusted earnings forecast range to $3.35-$3.45 per share from $3.30-$3.45. (This story has been refiled to change the dateline of the story to July 29 from July 28) (Reporting by Shailaja Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

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