Britain's Rolls-Royce stuck to guidance for annual profit growth of at least 30% this year as its airline customers flew more and demand for power for data systems and defence equipment continued to grow.

Rolls-Royce has stuck to its guidance for profit growth this year as a surge in international travel continues to drive demand for its aircraft engines despite persistent supply chain challenges. Shares in the FTSE 100 group fell nearly 4 per cent in early trading in London on Thursday after hitting a new 52-week high of 572.