BUZZ-Imperial Brands: Top of FTSE 100 after H1 results beat

** Imperial Brands (LSE: IMB.L - news) ' shares up 3.1 pct, top of FTSE 100 after H1 profit and revenue beat estimates

** H1 revenue of 3.53 bln pounds ($4.77 bln) vs consensus estimate of 3.50 bln, with reported sales volumes outperforming industry in markets it operates in

** Adjusted operating profit of 1.62 bln pounds vs. estimates for 1.52 bln pounds

** Says on track to deliver FY expectations, with performance set to improve in H2

** CEO says Imperial is looking to step up divestments, initially targeting proceeds of up to 2 bln pounds within the next 12 to 24 months

** Jefferies - a number of areas of encouragement for the market to hang its hat on, such as volume delivery in the context of peers, continued commitment to its model, further progress with its vapour business, and the decision to sell off non-strategic assets

** Stock down c14 pct from start of year, compared to a 1.3 pct decline in the FTSE 100