(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 6 mag - UK drinks maker Diageo said that in the third quarter net sales rose a reported 2.3% to 4.477 billion dollars, reflecting a positive hyperinflation adjustment, partially offset by the impact of disposals and limited impact from foreign exchange.

Organically, sales inched up 0.3% with volume up 0.4% and the price/mix down 0.1%.

Diageo reported strong organic net sales growth was delivered in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and Africa with some benefit from Easter timing and advance sales ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

In North America, organic net sales declined high-single-digit reflecting continued US Spirits weakness.

Asia Pacific net sales declined slightly with weakness in Chinese white spirits (CWS) offsetting low-single-digit growth in international premium spirits, and with the latter benefiting from later timing of Chinese New Year (CNY).

"Progress on the re-design of our new strategy and the shaping of a more competitive operating framework is well underway. We are on track to share a Strategy Update with shareholders alongside our fiscal 26 full-year results on 6 August 2026," said CEO Sir Dave Lewis.

"While we are mindful of continued geopolitical uncertainty, including the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on energy, supply and distribution; we are reiterating our fiscal 26 guidance." For the full year, Diageo expects organic net sales down 2-3%, and organic operating profit growth flat to up low-single-digit including 300 million dollars in savings from Accelerate and the impact of tariffs. Capital expenditure is expected at the lower end of the range of 1.2-1.3 billion dollars and free cash flow at around 3 billion dollars, including exceptional items related to Accelerate but excluding the 100 million dollar one-off impact for inventory build at year end to cover implementation of the SAP S/4 HANA ERP system in early fiscal.

2027.

(RADIOCOR) 06-05-26 08:22:52 (0170) 5 NNNN