R. J. Reynolds said its profits for...

R. J. Reynolds said its profits for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 rose 12% from a year ago to $257 million, partly because of the contribution from recently acquired Nabisco Brands. The tobacco firm said inclusion of Nabisco’s results was the principal reason for the 47.8% increase in its revenue to $4.76 billion. Reynolds said the inclusion of results from Nabisco had a dramatic effect on its food and beverages sales, which were 148% higher this year than a year earlier. Tobacco sales fell 4% in the latest quarter amid uncertainty about higher federal excise taxes and the strong U.S. dollar, Reynolds said.