Diageo issues trading commentary ahead of AGM 2016

21 Sep 2016|Press release

The world's largest producer of spirits, Diageo issues trading commentary ahead of its AGM (Anual General Meeting).

Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, commented:

“The 2017 fiscal year has started well. As expected, the momentum we created last year, strengthening our business through improved marketing, innovation, and commercial execution, has set us up to deliver a stronger performance. Key drivers of improved top line growth are our fiscal 2017 priorities: scotch, US spirits and India.

“We have made a strong start to our productivity work and are moving at pace. As we no longer take productivity related costs as an exceptional item, in the first half these costs will impact our organic operating profit margin. In the second half productivity related costs will decline and be offset by higher savings as well as the benefits from our targeted reinvestment of those gains. This will contribute to organic margin expansion for the full year.

“Our top line momentum and progress in implementing productivity changes, gives us continued confidence in achieving our objective of mid-single digit top line growth, and over three years ending fiscal 19 delivering 100bps of organic operating margin improvement.”

Contacts

Media relations:

Kirsty King +44 (0) 208 978 6855
[email protected]

Investor relations:

Catherine James +44 (0) 7803 854550
Rohit Vats +44 (0) 208 978 1064
Pier Falcione +44 (0) 208 978 4838
[email protected]