Rothman's owner BAT surges 7% as it signals sale of stake in India's ITC

Shares in tobacco giant British American Tobacco leapt about 7% on Thursday when it announced it was considering monetising its stake in India's ITC.

"Our shareholding in ITC has existed in one way or another since the early 1900s and is subject to numerous share capital changes and regulatory restrictions," the owner of brands including Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, as well as e-cigarette brand Vuse, said.

"We have been actively working for some time on completing the regulatory process required to give us the flexibility to monetise some of our shareholding and will update you at the earliest opportunity."