4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks to Bank on as Consumer Sentiment Plummets
As consumer sentiment weakens and inflation fears grow, Fortis, NJR, ONE Gas and Diageo emerge as attractive low-beta, dividend-paying plays.
Cramer's Mad Dash: Diageo PLC
Jim Cramer breaks down why he's keeping an eye on shares of Diageo.
Diageo: Cost-saving cocktails and the long road back
Goldman Sachs has shifted Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) from 'sell' to 'neutral', following a 20% drop in the drinks giant's share price. The bank cites a more attractive valuation and what it calls “strategic optionality” as the main reasons for the move.
Diageo FY25 Earnings & Sales Fall Y/Y on Soft Volume, FY26 View Bleak
DEO posts a y/y decline in earnings and sales in FY25, citing weak volumes in key markets and warns of continued headwinds in FY26.
Diageo analyst raises a glass to the Guinness maker in wake of results
UBS has reiterated its ‘buy' rating on Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE), setting a 12-month price target of 2,450p, implying nearly 29% upside from current levels. It highlights improving earnings visibility for the drinks group, thanks to a renewed push on productivity, with around half of these savings being reinvested and the rest dropping straight to the bottom line.
Diageo serves up guidance with a twist to impress
Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) shares results for the past year beat forecasts, thanks to a stronger performance in the fourth quarter, with analysts saying the new outlook for 2026 was also ahead of expectations.
Diageo profits fall 28% amid pressure on consumers
Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) reported a 28% drop in full-year profit but kept its dividend flat as expects to traverse a "challenging" market and generate modest profit growth for the coming year, helped by increased savings, product innovation and a strong presence in non-alcoholic drinks. The Guinness, Baileys and Pimms maker reported a 0.1% decline in net sales to $20.2 billion for the year to 30 June 2025, bang in line with the average analyst forecast.
Diageo to Report FY25 Results: What Surprise Awaits Investors?
DEO leans on premiumization and pricing power to drive growth, even as volumes soften across key markets.
Diageo guidance for 2026 likely to be flat or lower, cautions analyst
Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) should be able to 'split the G' and hit guidance this year, according to analysts at Citi, but the main investor focus will be on the outlook when full-year results are released on 5 August. The US bank, which reiterated its 'buy' rating on the share, expects organic sales growth (OSG) guidance for the year to June 2026 to be "subdued", potentially "flat-to-slightly lower" than the past year.
Diageo: Is It Worth Leading This Industry
Diageo has faced a tough 3.5 years, halving its market value, only partly offset by its resilient dividend. Structural headwinds like moderation and changing youth drinking habits challenge long-term growth, despite the company's strong premium brand portfolio. Partly debt-funded shareholder returns have pushed leverage to critical levels, but management targets leverage improvement by FY 2028, and free cash flow at long-term historical averages by FY 2026.
Diageo CEO exit underscores deeper industry woes; it's not a quick fix
Debra Crew's departure from Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) is unlikely to mark a turning point for the world's largest spirits group. In RBC's view, the move, announced yesterday with immediate effect, was hardly unexpected given the Guinness maker's performance under her leadership, with total shareholder returns down 39% in euro terms.
Guinness Owner Diageo's CEO Steps Down as the Alcoholic Beverage Giant Struggles
Diageo (DEO) CEO Debra Crew resigned Wednesday, effective immediately, as the maker of brands including Smirnoff vodka and Guinness beer struggles with weak sales.
