London, Jan 19, 2026, 12:35 GMT — Regular session
- Imperial Brands shares climbed roughly 1.3% in London, defying the broader market slump.
- European stocks dropped following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs over a spat involving Greenland.
- Investors are eyeing Imperial Brands’ AGM on January 28 and the timing of its February dividend.
Shares of Imperial Brands (IMB.L) climbed roughly 1.3%, reaching near 3,085 pence by 12:35 GMT. The stock fluctuated between about 3,047 and 3,093 pence earlier in the session. Its dividend yield held steady at around 5.2%. British American Tobacco, a key rival, also saw gains during the day. (Google)
The gain occurred while London stocks slid, following Trump’s tariff threat targeting Britain and seven other European nations unless the U.S. got the green light to buy Greenland. This reignited trade jitters across markets. Earlier, the FTSE 100 dipped roughly 0.6%, with declines seen across most sectors. (Reuters)
In Europe, the STOXX 600 slipped about 1% in early trading. Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, pointed to “Trump’s actions over the weekend” as a trigger for heightened geopolitical risks and revived trade uncertainty. He also noted that thin volumes due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the U.S. might be amplifying the market swings. (Reuters)
In this type of market, tobacco stocks often attract attention because they reliably generate steady cash flow and hand out regular dividends. Investors might pull back from more cyclical sectors, but that doesn’t make tobacco immune—just shifts the day’s ranking of favorites.
Imperial has been reducing its share count via a buyback programme. This involves the company buying back its own shares, usually cancelling them, which can boost earnings per share if profits remain stable. (Investegate)
The group continues to rely heavily on cigarettes, despite ramping up efforts in “next generation” products like vaping, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches. Tobacco’s pricing power has frequently provided a buffer, but volume declines persist as a persistent drag.
There are familiar pitfalls here. Regulatory crackdowns, hikes in taxes, or stricter vaping and nicotine rules can dent demand and squeeze margins. Tobacco stocks often react sharply to changes in government policy or any legal threats.
Imperial’s next key dates are coming up fast. The annual general meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28. Then, the ex-dividend date falls on Feb. 19, with the final dividend payment planned for March 31, pending shareholder approval. The company is set to release its half-year results on May 12. (Note: The ex-dividend date marks the first day buyers won’t receive the upcoming dividend.) (Imperialbrandsplc)
