Johnnie Walker maker Diageo beats first-half sales estimates By Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) -Diageo, the world’s largest spirits maker, beat first-half sales forecasts on Thursday as it raised prices and more people drank premium spirits.

The London-based company, which makes Tanqueray gin, Captain Morgan’s rum and Ketel One vodka, said net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to December 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise.

The growth reflected organic volume growth of 1.8%, indicting 7.6 percentage points of higher price growth. Organic operating profit grew 10%.

The spirits market has been resilient amid a global cost of living crisis that has otherwise hit volumes at other consumer goods companies, with people continuing to buy what they consider occasional treats for themselves even as they trade down to cheaper food brands.

Since the pandemic, Diageo (LON:) has also benefited from people buying more expensive types of alcohol while staying home under lockdown. The company and its rivals invested heavily in marketing and improving their products to capitalise on newfound demand, focusing on premium brands such as Bulleit Bourbon and Don Julio tequila.

“We believe we are well-positioned to deliver our medium-term guidance of consistent organic net sales growth in the range of 5% to 7% and sustainable organic operating profit growth in the range of 6% to 9% for fiscal ’23 to fiscal ’25,” Chief Executive Ivan Menezes said in a statement.