KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT) will raise list prices across its cigarette portfolio by as much as RM3.20 tomorrow, following an excise duty increase announced by the government today.

According to its new price list, a 20-stick pack of Dunhill, Benson & Hedges and Kent will be raised by RM3.20 to RM17 from RM13.80.

Lucky Strike Plain's price will also be raised by RM3.20 to RM17.50 per pack from RM14.30 currently, while the price of Shuang Xi cigarettes will increase by RM3 to RM18 from RM15.

Peter Stuyvesant and Pall Mall cigarettes will be priced at RM15.50 per pack, up RM3.20 from RM12.30.

The new prices are inclusive of the 6% goods and services tax (GST).

BAT has previously raised prices in early April by 50 sen for its premium cigarettes, shortly after the GST came into effect; but the move was scrapped soon after and tobacco prices returned to pre-GST rates.

However, after absorbing the cost for close to three months, BAT announced a 30 sen increase for its premium and sub-premium cigarettes on June 29.

BAT shares closed RM1.30 or 2.13% higher at RM62.30 today, for a market capitalisation of RM17.79 billion.

(Note: The Edge Research's fundamental score reflects a company's profitability and balance sheet strength, calculated based on historical numbers. The valuation score determines if a stock is attractively valued or not, also based on historical numbers. A score of 3 suggests strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.)