French drinks group Pernod Ricard lifted its full-year profit target as it posted third-quarter sales above forecasts and said key markets such as the US, Russia as well as duty free had improved.

“We clearly see an improvement in the economic environment with one dark zone which is Western Europe,” Chief Executive Pierre Pringuet told reporters.

Pernod’s comparable third-quarter sales in North and South America combined rose three percent, in Asia and the rest of the world some 10 percent and they were up one percent in France. But fell six percent in the rest of Europe.

Pringuet said he expected the positive trends to continue in the US in its fiscal fourth quarter to June.

Pernod’s larger rival Diageo said early in April that it was seeing “green shoots” of recovery for its higher-priced products in North America and Europe.

Pernod, which makes the Ricard anise-based spirit and Beefeater gin, saw sales in its fiscal third quarter reach 1.54 billion euros ($2.05bn) compared with expectations of 1.45 billion based on a poll of 10 analysts.

On a like-for-like basis, sales were up 16 percent, beating market expectations of 11 percent.

Pernod said it now expected 2009-2010 profit from recurring operations to rise three percent, up from a previous growth forecast of one to three percent.

With regards to the group’s structure, Pringuet said Pernod planned to continue pruning its non-strategic brands portfolio and was not planning any acquisition. “We do not give ourselves a timetable (for the disposals),” Pringuet said.

The group added it would step up advertising and promotion expenses on strategic brands and markets to about 17.5-18 percent percent of sales from 17 percent in 2008-2009.

Revenues from Pernod’s 15 strategic brands in the nine months to March 31 dropped in volume by one percent but rose three percent in value thanks to a favourable product and price mix.

Best performing brands included Martell cognac with sales up 16 percent, Jameson whisky which was up 11 percent, Absolut vodka was some nine percent higher and the Glenlivet scotch rose six percent.

However, champagne brands Mumm and Perrier-Jouet posted declines of nine and 11 percent respectively.