Diageo toasting growth in whisky sales
Diageo, which is Scotland’s largest whisky distiller, posted 30 per cent sales growth in its Latin America and Caribbean region, with Asia-Pacific up 14 per cent, Africa 9 per cent higher, Europe ahead 6 per cent and North America rising by 5 per cent.
Paul Walsh – chief executive of the group, which also makes Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka and Gordon’s gin – told shareholders at the firm’s AGM: “Diageo has delivered a good start to the new financial year. Net sales growth was marginally ahead of expectations.”
Shares in Diageo closed up 4 per cent or 51p to hit an all-time closing high of 1,331p, valuing the company at £33 billion. The stock had touched 1,348p earlier in the session.