Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 7443A

Diageo PLC

14 October 2009

 

14 October 2009

Interim management statement for the three months ended 30 September 2009

Diageo reiterates guidance for low single digit organic operating profit growth in fiscal 2010 following first quarter's trading

In the three months ended 30 September 2009 net sales were down 6% on an organic basis against the comparable period. Net assets were £4,225 million at 30 September 2009, having been £3,936 million at 30 June 2009 reflecting operating profit in the period, some movements on reserves and a small impact from exchange rate movements. 

Paul Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo, commented:

'As we anticipated consumer trends across our markets remain broadly unchanged since the year-end. Therefore net sales in the first quarter of the new financial year have been weak when compared to the strong performance of the first quarter last year. In the first quarter of last year stock levels increased. However this year, stock levels have not risen in the first quarter and in our biggest market, North America, stock levels in our US spirits distributor channel are below those held at 30 June 2009. 

'The restructuring programme is on track to deliver the forecast benefit of a £120 million reduction in costs year on year. In addition we continued to benefit from efficiencies in marketing spend and media rate deflation.

'The year has started as we thought it would and we reiterate our guidance for low single digit organic growth in operating profit in fiscal 2010.'

- ENDS -

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Forward-looking statements

This document contains 'forward-looking statements'. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. In particular, forward looking statements include all statements that express forecasts, expectations, plans, outlook and projections with respect to future matters, including trends in results of operations, margins, growth rates, overall market trends, the impact of interest or exchange rates, the availability or cost of financing to Diageo, anticipated cost savings or synergies and the completion of Diageo's strategic transactions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including factors that are outside Diageo's control. All oral and written forward-looking statements made on or after the date of this document and attributable to Diageo are expressly qualified in their entirety by the 'risk factors' contained in Diageo's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 30 June 2008 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Diageo speak only as of the date they are made. Diageo does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in Diageo's expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any additional disclosures that Diageo may make in documents it publishes and/or files with the SEC.  All readers, wherever located, should take note of these disclosures. The information in this document does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to buy shares in Diageo plc or any invitation or inducement to engage in any other investment activities.  Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance.

 

END

 

 

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