Newcomer Fever-Tree tops Britvic with £1.8bn value

Posh tonic maker Fever-Tree has overtaken Britvic as the UK’s most valuable soft drinks firm as its stunning stock market run shows no sign of slowing.

Bullish remarks today from analysts at Berenberg helped the 12-year-old company’s shares flow 1.7% higher to 1594p, valuing it at more than £1.8 billion, despite profits of just £34 million last year. It floated in 2014 at 134p a share.

Britvic, maker of Robinsons squash and Tango fizzy drinks whose annual profits top £150 million, is worth £1.75 billion after a small share price fall today. Rivals Irn-Bru maker AG Barr and Vimto owner Nichols are valued at just over £700 million.

Fever-Tree was founded by Charles Rolls and Tim Warrillow, who started the company with £1 million Rolls made from turning around Plymouth Gin.

Rolls' 15% stake is now worth £270 million, while Warrillow's 7% stake is valued at £120 million.