Improved organic sales in the first half of the fiscal year, despite a challenging environment
- Reported net sales of $10.9 billion declined 0.6% due to unfavourable foreign exchange, partially offset by an increase in organic net sales.
- Organic net sales returned to growth and increased $101 million or 1.0%, driven by positive price/mix of 1.2pps, partially offset by a 0.2% volume decline.
- Reported operating profit declined 4.9% and reported operating profit margin declined 132 bps, primarily due to unfavourable foreign exchange and a decline in organic operating margin.
- Organic operating profit declined by $42 million or 1.2%; organic operating margin declined 69 bps primarily due to continued investment primarily in overheads, partially offset by reduced marketing spend and positive gross margin expansion.
- Diageo grew or held total market share in 65% of total net sales value in measured markets, including in the US.
- EPS pre-exceptionals declined 9.6% to 97.7 cents largely due to a significantly lower Moët Hennessy contribution and unfavourable foreign exchange.
- Net cash flow from operating activities increased by $0.2 billion to $2.3 billion. Free cash flow increased by $0.1 billion to $1.7 billion.
- Medium-term guidance has been removed due to the current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty in many of our key markets impacting the pace of recovery. We remain confident of favourable industry fundamentals and our ability to outperform. Instead in the interim, we will provide more regular near term guidance.
- Declared interim dividend of 40.5 cents.
- Leverage ratio of 3.1x (net debt to EBITDA) as at 31 December 2024.
Debra Crew, Chief Executive, said:
Our fiscal 25 first half results marked a return to growth, delivering organic net sales growth of 1% despite a challenging industry backdrop as consumers continue to navigate through inflationary pressures. Growth in four of our five regions was supported by market share gains. Notably, in North America, we outperformed the market with high quality share growth and positive organic net sales growth, driven by strong execution and momentum in Don Julio and Crown Royal. I’m also particularly proud of the performance of our iconic Guinness brand, which delivered double-digit growth for an eighth consecutive half, supported by brand building expertise, innovation and growing global momentum.
While the pace of recovery has been slower in several key markets, we remain confident of favourable long-term industry fundamentals and more importantly in our ability to outperform the market. Spirits remains an attractive sector with a long runway for growth, as we expect to continue to gain share within Total Beverage Alcohol (TBA). Additionally, our investments in digital capabilities, supply chain, and our transformational route-to-market changes will all be supportive in driving long term sustainable growth, and I am pleased that we are already seeing early benefits from changes in our US route-to-market transformation. Diageo has anticipated and planned for a number of potential scenarios regarding tariffs in recent months. The confirmation at the weekend of the implementation of tariffs in the US, whilst anticipated, could very well impact this building momentum. It also adds further complexity in our ability to provide updated forward guidance given this is a new and dynamic situation. We are taking a number of actions to mitigate the impact and disruption to our business that tariffs may cause, and we will also continue to engage with the US administration on the broader impact that this will have on everyone supporting the US hospitality industry, including consumers, employees, distributors, restaurants, bars and other retail outlets. Finally, on behalf of the Board, and personally, I would like to thank Javier Ferrán for the enormous contribution he has made as Chair at Diageo. His dedication and stewardship have left the company in a strong position for high-quality future growth. I would also like to welcome Sir John Manzoni as his successor. I am certain that the experience he brings as new Chair will be invaluable.
| Volume (equivalent units) EU122.8m (F24 H1: EU124.6m) Reported movement (1)% Organic movement -% | Operating profit $3,155m (F24 H1: $3,317m) Reported movement (5)% Organic movement (1)% | Earnings per share (eps) 87.1c (F24 H1: 98.6c) Reported movement (12)% Eps before exceptional items (10)% |
| Net sales $10,901m (F24 H1: $10,962m) Reported movement (1)% Organic movement 1% | Net cash from operating activities $2,325m (F24 H1: $2,146m) F25 H1 free cash flow $1,696m F24 H1 free cash flow $1,571m | Interim dividend per share 40.50c (F24 H1: 40.50c) Flat -% |
Dividend
An interim dividend of 40.50 cents per share (2023 – 40.50 cents per share) will be paid to holders of ordinary shares and US ADRs on register as of 28 February 2025. The ex-dividend date is 27 February 2025 for holders of ordinary shares and 28 February 2025 for holders of US ADRs. The interim dividend will be paid to holders of ordinary shares and US ADRs on 24 April 2025. Holders of ordinary shares will receive their dividends in sterling unless they elect to receive their dividends in US dollars by 21 March 2025. The dividend per share in pence to be paid to ordinary shareholders will be announced on 9 April 2025 and will be determined by the actual foreign exchange rates achieved by Diageo buying forward contracts for sterling currency, entered into during the three days preceding the sterling equivalent announcement of the interim dividend. A dividend reinvestment plan is available to holders of ordinary shares in respect of the interim dividend and the plan notice date is 21 March 2025.
To view the interim results document in full, please paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7500V_1-2025-2-3.pdf