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Guinness sales up as Diageo records 32 per cent rise in profits

Emerging markets boost sales at drinks group as Irish market declines.

DIAGEO HAS REPORTED pre-tax profits of £3.1 billion (€3.97 billion) for the first six months of 2012, as emerging markets and a pick up in spirit sales lifted fortunes at the drinks group.

The company, which makes Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky, said that Asia, Africa and South America were all offsetting sluggish growth in Europe.  Operating profits in Asia, Africa and South America rose 18 per cent, 20 per cent, and 22 per cent respectively with Nigeria now the biggest market for Guinness by net sales. It increased its dividend to shareholders by 8 per cent to 26.9p a share on the news.

“Diageo (DGE) has delivered on its promises today,” Martin Deboo, an analyst at Investec Securities, said in a note. “The 8 percent increase in dividend reads encouragingly, and chimes with CEO Paul Walsh’s confidence that the business is very much on track to deliver against medium-term guidance.”

Meanwhile in Ireland, the total alcoholic drinks market fell by 1.2 per cent in value in the 12 months to June.

Guinness, which makes up 52 per cent of Diageo’s world beer business by net sales, continues to be the best selling beer in Ireland with a 32 per cent market share.

Diageo said the Guinness brand delivered 2 per cent net sales growth in developed markets.

Dublin among ‘best cities’ for drinking beer>

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    Mute Chris Jordan
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 11:01 AM

    That’s a horrible looking pint, straight from a can. Now a Josie Kavanaghs pint, that is a thing of beauty!!

    22
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    Mute Eoin Faz
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 11:12 AM

    Lack of Summer means no need to stop drinking Guinness during those months

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:26 AM

    I’ll drink to that !!…..

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    Mute Micky malone
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:27 AM

    Say i was the reason profits wer up so high…drinkin sum pints a stout this weather!!

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 11:15 AM

    …..and God created Guinness!

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:25 AM

    If you are wondering, where all the Irish Sheeple are? During this recession and opression by our government, we are sitting at the bar moaning!

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:55 AM

    much better be be a moany off topic keyboard warrior…

    34
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 3:23 PM

    Lol, Truth hurts! Enjoy the Black stuff lads!

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    Mute Noel Cronin
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    Aug 24th 2012, 12:03 AM

    Some manky looking pint all the same. Imagine being served that. There’d be war.

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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 2:57 PM

    Guinness black lager, wtf is that all about? Other than trying to shift product during their lean summer months of course.

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    Mute Damocles
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 5:18 PM

    It’s lager which is black.

    If you drink it from the bottle it is like any other lager on the market. If you put it in a glass it is like any other lager on the market but it’s black.

    Hope that explains it.

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    Mute Cian O Donnell
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 5:23 PM

    thats alot of toilet paper…

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