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REG - Diageo PLC - Interim Results

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RNS Number : 2882B  Diageo PLC  30 January 2024

Diageo delivers strong cash generation and is well positioned for future
growth despite challenging first half environment

◦    Reported net sales of $11.0 billion declined 1.4% or $158 million,
due to a $167 million unfavourable foreign exchange impact and an organic net
sales decline of $67 million or 0.6%, driven by a $310 million or 23% decline
in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC).

◦    Excluding the impact of LAC, reported net sales grew $72 million or
0.7%, and organic net sales grew $243 million or 2.5%, driven by Asia Pacific,
Africa and Europe, partially offset by a $64 million or 1.5% decline in North
America which improved sequentially from the second half of fiscal 23.

◦     The decline in LAC was driven by a strong double-digit net sales
growth comparator as well as lower consumption and consumer downtrading due to
macroeconomic pressures in the region.

◦    Reported operating profit declined 11.1% to $3.3 billion, and
reported operating profit margin contracted 329bps due to lower organic
operating margin and a negative impact from exceptional operating items.

◦    Organic operating profit declined by $205 million or 5.4%, of which
$234 million was attributable to LAC; organic operating margin contracted
167bps.

◦    Excluding the impact of LAC, organic operating profit grew by $29
million or 0.9%, and organic operating margin contracted 53bps, driven by
increased marketing investment.

◦    Net cash flow from operating activities increased by $0.7 billion to
$2.1 billion. Free cash flow increased by $0.5 billion to $1.5 billion, driven
by disciplined working capital management and the positive impact of lapping
one-off cash tax payments from the prior year.

◦    Declared interim dividend increased by 5% to 40.50 cents per share.
Completed $0.5 billion of share buybacks as part of the return of capital
programme announced on 1 August 2023.

Debra Crew, Chief Executive, said:

The first half of fiscal 24 was challenging for Diageo and our sector,
particularly as we lapped strong growth in the prior year and faced an uneven
global consumer environment. Excluding LAC, our group organic net sales grew
2.5%, driven by good growth in Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. While North
America delivered sequential improvement in line with our expectations, we are
focused on returning to high-quality share growth as consumer behaviour
continues to normalise in our largest region.

As previously announced in November 2023, materially weaker performance in
LAC, driven by fast-changing consumer sentiment and high inventory levels,
significantly impacted total business performance. Having conducted a review
of inventory levels and monitored performance in the critical holiday season,
we have taken action and have further plans to reduce inventory to more
appropriate levels for the current consumer environment in the region by the
end of fiscal 24. This is a key priority.

With a strong focus on execution, we delivered an improved free cash flow of
$1.5 billion, and our pipeline of productivity initiatives in the first half
of fiscal 24 drove $335 million of savings, helping us to sustain investment
in brand building. During the half, we returned $0.5 billion to shareholders
via share buybacks as part of our commitment to return up to $1.0 billion of
capital to shareholders in fiscal 24. We declared an interim dividend increase
to 40.50 cents per share, reflecting our commitment to a progressive dividend
policy.

Looking ahead to the second half of fiscal 24, despite continued global
economic volatility, we expect to deliver improvement in organic net sales and
organic operating profit growth at the group level, compared to the first
half. While the macro environment will continue to present challenges, I am
confident that we remain well-positioned and resilient for the long term. We
are diversified by category, price point and region and will continue to
invest behind our iconic brands to maintain our position as an industry leader
in total beverage alcohol, an attractive sector with a long runway for growth.

 

 Financial performance
 Volume (equivalent units)                          Operating profit                                                      Earnings per share (eps)
 EU124.6m                                           $3,317m                                                               98.6c
 (F23 H1: EU136.8m)                                 (F23 H1((2)): $3,731m)                                                (F23 H1((2)): 119.1c)
 Reported movement        (9)%       i              Reported movement                     (11)%         i                 Reported movement                  (17)%      i
 Organic movement((1))    (5)%       i              Organic movement((1))                 (5)%          i                 Eps before exceptional items((1))  (7)%       i
 Net sales                                          Net cash from operating activities                                    Interim dividend per share
 $10,962m                                           $2,146m                                                               40.50c
 (F23 H1((2)): $11,120m)                            (F23 H1((2)): $1,472m)                                                (F23 H1((2)): 38.57c)
 Reported movement        (1)%       i              F24 H1 free cash flow((1)) $1,462m                                    Increase                           5%         h
 Organic movement((1))    (1)%       i              F23 H1 free cash flow((1),(2)) $964m

(1)See page 44 for an explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

(2)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

See page 44 for an explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures,
including organic net sales, organic marketing investment, organic operating
profit, free cash flow, eps before exceptionals, adjusted net debt, adjusted
EBITDA and tax rate before exceptional items.

Unless otherwise stated, movements in results are for the six months ended 31
December 2023 compared to the six months ended 31 December 2022.

 

Key financial information

Six months ended 31 December 2023

Summary financial information

                                                                   F24 H1  F23 H1              Organic growth  Reported growth

                                                                           Re-presented((1))   %               %
 Volume                                                 EUm        124.6   136.8               (5)             (9)
 Net sales                                              $ million  10,962  11,120              (1)             (1)
 Marketing                                              $ million  1,952   1,861               4               5
 Operating profit before exceptional items              $ million  3,510   3,770               (5)             (7)
 Exceptional operating items((2))                       $ million  (193)   (39)
 Operating profit                                       $ million  3,317   3,731                               (11)
 Share of associate and joint venture profit after tax  $ million  253     202                                 25
 Non-operating exceptional items((2))                   $ million  (60)    19
 Net finance charges                                    $ million  (431)   (345)
 Exceptional taxation credit((2))                       $ million  42      84
 Tax rate including exceptional items                   %          23.9    21.2                                13
 Tax rate before exceptional items                      %          23.4    23.4                                -
 Profit attributable to parent company's shareholders   $ million  2,210   2,709                               (18)
 Basic earnings per share                               cents      98.6    119.1                               (17)
 Basic earnings per share before exceptional items      cents      108.1   116.4                               (7)
 Interim dividend                                       cents      40.50   38.57                               5

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)For further details on exceptional items see pages 21 and 33-34.

 

Reported growth by region

                              Volume        Net sales         Marketing         Operating profit before exceptional items     Operating profit
                              %     EUm     %      $ million  %      $ million  %                      $ million              %          $ million
 North America                (3)   (0.7)   (2)    (65)       2      15         2                      35                     (7)        (116)
 Europe                       (3)   (0.9)   10     226        19     72         (3)                    (23)                   (6)        (51)
 Asia Pacific                 (15)  (6.9)   2      37         14     50         (2)                    (15)                   1          10
 Latin America and Caribbean  (19)  (3.0)   (18)   (230)      (12)   (25)       (41)                   (222)                  (41)       (222)
 Africa                       (4)   (0.7)   (12)   (138)      (20)   (27)       (40)                   (85)                   (40)       (85)
 Corporate                    -     -       24     12         67     6          25                     50                     25         50
 Diageo                       (9)   (12.2)  (1)    (158)      5      91         (7)                    (260)                  (11)       (414)

 

Organic growth by region

                              Volume       Net sales         Marketing         Operating profit before exceptional items
                              %     EUm    %      $ million  %      $ million  %                      $ million
 North America                (3)   (0.8)  (2)    (64)       2      12         (1)                    (21)
 Europe                       (4)   (1.1)  3      78         9      35         (4)                    (34)
 Asia Pacific                 (2)   (0.8)  6      125        15     53         3                      23
 Latin America and Caribbean  (19)  (3.0)  (23)   (310)      (19)   (40)       (41)                   (234)
 Africa                       (6)   (1.1)  9      95         6      7          9                      21
 Corporate                    -     -      17     9          27     3          22                     40
 Diageo                       (5)   (6.8)  (1)    (67)       4      70         (5)                    (205)

See page 44 for an explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

 

Net sales ($ million)

Reported net sales declined 1.4%

Organic net sales declined 0.6%

Reported net sales declined 1.4%, driven by unfavourable foreign exchange
impacts, organic net sales decline and a negative impact from acquisitions and
disposals, partially offset by hyperinflation adjustments.

Organic net sales decline of 0.6% was primarily attributable to weak
performance in LAC driven by a strong double-digit net sales growth
comparator, as well as lower consumption and consumer downtrading due to
macroeconomic pressures in the region. These impacts materially contributed to
the group's organic volume decline of 5.2%, which was partially offset by
positive price/mix of 4.6% delivered across all other regions, and mainly
driven by positive pricing. Excluding LAC, organic net sales grew 2.5%.

 Net sales                   $ million
 F23 H1 Re-presented((1))    11,120
 Exchange((2))               (167)
 Acquisitions and disposals  (51)
 Hyperinflation((3))         127
 Volume                      (573)
 Price/mix                   506
 F24 H1                      10,962

 

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)Exchange rate movements reflect the adjustment to recalculate the reported
results as if they had been generated at the prior period weighted average
exchange rates.

(3)See pages 35 and 45-47 for details of hyperinflation adjustment.

 

Operating profit ($ million)

Reported operating profit declined 11.1%

Organic operating profit declined 5.4%

Reported operating profit declined 11.1%, primarily driven by a decrease in
organic operating profit and negative exceptional operating items.

Organic operating profit declined 5.4%, ahead of the organic net sales
decline, primarily driven by a $234 million operating profit decline in LAC.

 Operating profit                  $ million
 F23 H1 Re-presented((1))          3,731
 Exceptional operating items((2))  (154)
 Exchange                          4
 Acquisitions and disposals        (37)
 FVR((3))                          (19)
 Hyperinflation((4))               (3)
 Organic movement                  (205)
 F24 H1                            3,317

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 21 and 33-34.

(3)Fair value remeasurements. For further details see page 21.

(4)See pages 35 and 45-47 for details on hyperinflation adjustments.

 

Operating margin (%)

Reported operating margin declined by 329bps

Organic operating margin declined by 167bps

Reported operating margin declined by 329bps, primarily driven by a decrease
in organic operating margin and the negative impact of exceptional operating
items.

Organic operating margin declined by 167bpspredominantly due to weak
performance in LAC. Excluding LAC, organic operating margin declined 53bps.
The decline was driven by an increase in marketing, partially offset by the
favourable impact from other operating items and a positive gross margin.At
the group level, including LAC, the impact on gross margin from price
increases and productivity initiatives more than offset cost inflation in
absolute terms.

 Operating margin                  ppt
 F23 H1                            33.6

 (Re-presented(1))
 Exceptional operating items((2))  (1.41)
 Exchange                          0.51
 Acquisitions and disposals        (0.16)
 Other((3))                        (0.56)
 Gross margin                      (0.56)
 Marketing                         (0.75)
 Other operating items             (0.36)
 F24 H1                            30.3

 

(1)See page 29 for explanation under basis of preparation.

(2)For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 21 and 33-34.

(3)Fair value remeasurements and hyperinflation adjustments. For further
details on fair value remeasurements see page 22. See pages 36 and 49-52 for
details on hyperinflation adjustments.

 

Basic earnings per share (cents)

Basic eps decreased 17.2% from 119.1 cents to 98.6 cents

Basic eps before exceptional items((1)) decreased 7.1% from 116.4 cents to
108.1 cents

Basic eps decreased 20.5 cents, mainly driven by exceptional items, lower
organic operating profit and higher finance charges, partially offset by lower
tax, higher income from associates and joint ventures, and the impact of share
buybacks.

Basic eps before exceptional items decreased 8.3 cents.

(

 Basic earnings per share                cents
 F23 H1 Re-presented(2)                  119.1
 Exceptional items after tax((3))        (12.2)
 Exchange on operating profit            0.2
 Acquisitions and disposals((4))         (1.2)
 Organic operating profit                (9.0)
 Associates and joint ventures           2.2
 Finance charges((5))                    (4.1)
 Tax((6))                                2.7
 Share buyback((4))                      1.8
 Non-controlling interests               0.1
 FVR((7))                                (0.8)
 Hyperinflation (operating profit)((8))  (0.2)
 F24 H1                                  98.6

(1)See page 44 for an explanation of the calculation and use of non-GAAP
measures.

(2)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(3)For further details on exceptional items see pages 21 and 33-34.

(4)Includes finance charges net of tax.

(5)Excludes finance charges related to acquisitions, disposals, share buybacks
and includes finance charges related to hyperinflation adjustments.

(6)Excludes tax related to acquisitions, disposals and share buybacks.

(7)Fair value remeasurements. For further details see page 21.

(8)Operating profit hyperinflation adjustments movement was $(3) million
compared to the first half of fiscal 23 (F24 H1 - $(12) million; F23 H1 - $(9)
million).

 

Net cash from operating activities and free cash flow ($ million)

Generated $2,146 million net cash from operating activities((1)) and $1,462
million free cash flow

Net cash from operating activities was $2,146 million, an increase of $674
million compared to the first half of fiscal 23. Free cash flow grew by $498
million to $1,462 million.

Free cash flow growth was driven by strong working capital management
interventions and the positive impact of lapping one-off cash tax payments
from the prior year. These favourable factors more than offset the negative
impacts of lower operating profit and increased interest payments,
attributable to the current higher interest rate environment. The increase in
capital expenditure (capex) demonstrates our commitment to investments for
long-term sustainable growth.

 Free cash flow                                                             $ million
 F23 H1 Net cash from operating activities re-presented((2))                1,472
 F23 H1 Capex and movements in loans and other investments re-presented(2)  (508)
 F23 H1 Free cash flow re-presented(2)                                      964
 Exchange((3))                                                              4
 Operating profit((4))                                                      (299)
 Working capital((5))                                                       893
 Capex                                                                      (69)
 Tax                                                                        200
 Interest                                                                   (137)
 Other((6))                                                                 (94)
 F24 H1 Free cash flow                                                      1,462
 F24 H1 Capex and movements in loans and other investments                  684
 F24 H1 Net cash from operating activities                                  2,146

 

(1)Net cash from operating activities excludes net capex (F24 H1 - $(575)
million; F23 H1 - $(506) million) and movements in loans and other
investments.

(2) See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(3)Exchange on operating profit before exceptional items.

(4)Operating profit excludes exchange, depreciation and amortisation, post
employment charges of $(10) million and other non-cash items.

(5)Working capital movement includes maturing inventory.

(6)Other items include dividends received from associates and joint ventures,
movements in loans and other investments and post employment payments.

 

Fiscal 24 outlook

Organic net sales growth

Overall, for the group, we expect our organic net sales growth rate in the
second half to gradually improve compared to the growth rate in the first
half.

In North America, in the second half of fiscal 24, we expect to drive gradual
improvement in organic net sales performance, despite uncertainty in the
consumer environment. We will continue to invest in our brands and innovations
as we work towards the delivery of high-quality market share improvement as
the consumer environment continues to normalise.

In the second half of fiscal 24, we expect macroeconomic pressures will
persist in LAC and impact progress in reducing inventory levels. As a result,
we expect organic net sales in LAC to decline between the range of -10% to
-20% in the second half of fiscal 24, compared to the second half of fiscal
23. However, we expect to close fiscal 24 with a more appropriate level of
inventory for the current consumer environment.

In Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa, we expect continued growth in the second
half recognising that macroeconomic volatility and consumer uncertainty will
likely persist.

Organic operating profit growth

In the second half of fiscal 24, we expect an organic operating profit decline
compared to the prior year, but we expect the rate of decline to improve
compared to the first half of fiscal 24. While we expect headwinds to persist
from continued inflation and relatively low operating leverage as we reduce
inventory in LAC, we will continue to focus on delivering strong productivity
and leveraging revenue growth management capabilities, while remaining
invested in marketing.

Taxation

We expect the tax rate before exceptional items for fiscal 24 to be in the
region of 23% mainly as a result of profit mix.

Effective interest rate

We expect the effective interest rate to reduce slightly for the full year
from the first half of fiscal 24 which was reported at 4.4%, given current
market conditions.

Productivity

At the end of fiscal 24, we will complete a three-year period over which we
committed to deliver $1.5 billion of productivity benefits and we expect to
exceed this target.

At our Capital Markets Event in November 2023, we announced a new productivity
commitment to deliver $2.0 billion of productivity savings over the three
years, from fiscal 25 to fiscal 27. We plan to deliver this accelerated
productivity commitment across cost of goods, marketing spend and overheads.
This acceleration will be supported by investments, including our supply chain
agility programme, which was announced in July 2022. We expect benefits from
our supply chain agility programme to increase from fiscal 25 and accelerate
in the following years.

Capital expenditure and free cash flow

In fiscal 24, we continue to expect capital expenditure for the full year to
be in the range of $1.3-1.5 billion. We expect broadly this level of spend to
continue in the coming years, but then normalise to historical levels as a
percentage of net sales starting in fiscal 27. We expect cash flow to grow
organically through the second half of fiscal 24, while we continue to invest
in capital expenditure and maturing stock.

Foreign exchange guidance

We are not providing specific guidance in relation to foreign exchange for
fiscal 24. However, using the first half experienced foreign exchange impact
and spot exchange rates of $1=£0.79 and $1=€0.90 as at 31 December 2023 for
the second half and applying them to a representative income statement
profile, for operating profit we would see a positive exchange impact of
approximately $210 million and a negative impact on net sales of approximately
$90 million.

Fiscal 25 outlook

As we move into fiscal 25 and the consumer environment improves, we expect to
progress towards the delivery of our medium-term guidance with our organic net
sales growth trajectory improving in full year fiscal 25 compared to fiscal
24. We expect organic operating profit growth in full year fiscal 25 to be
broadly in line with organic net sales growth.

Medium-term guidance

Organic net sales growth and organic operating profit growth

We believe in the fundamental strength of our business and expect our
advantaged portfolio to benefit from international spirits continuing to gain
share of Total Beverage Alcohol and premiumisation trends, combined with
continued investment in marketing and innovation. Our portfolio is
well-positioned across categories, price points and regions. We will use our
deep understanding of consumers to quickly adapt to changes in trends and
behaviours, while investing in marketing and innovation and leveraging our
revenue growth management capabilities, including balancing strategic pricing
actions with individual market share growth objectives.

As discussed at our recent Capital Markets Event, over the medium term, we
expect to deliver organic net sales growth in the range of 5% to 7%. We expect
to deliver sustainable organic operating profit growth broadly in line with
organic net sales growth as we increase marketing investment and navigate
continued cost inflation in the near term. In the long term, we expect to
deliver organic operating profit growth ahead of organic net sales growth.

Functional and presentation currency

Commencing with the interim dividend declared in January 2024, Diageo's
dividends will be declared in US dollars and remain in line with the group's
existing progressive dividend policy. Holders of ordinary shares will continue
to receive their dividends in sterling, but will have the option to elect to
receive their dividends in US dollars instead. Holders of American Depositary
Receipts (ADRs) will continue to receive dividends in US dollars.

Unaudited recast full primary financial information and selected financial
information as of and for the years ended 30 June 2021, 30 June 2022 and 30
June 2023 will be re-presented in US dollars and made available later today to
reflect the change in the presentation currency of Diageo from sterling to US
dollars.

Notes to the business and financial review

Unless otherwise stated:

-   movements in results are for the six months ended 31 December 2023
compared to the six months ended 31 December 2022;

-   commentary below refers to organic movements unless stated as reported;

-   volume is in millions of equivalent units (EUm);

-   net sales are sales after deducting excise duties;

-   percentage movements are organic movements unless stated as reported;

-   growth is organic net sales movement; and

-   market share refers to value share, except for India which is volume
share.

Following a review of our interim performance metrics, we have made the
decision to report return on average invested capital only on a full-year
basis at year end going forward.

 

See page 44 for an explanation of the calculation and use of non-GAAP
measures.

 

Business review

North America

•   Reported net sales declined 2%, due to weaker organic performance.

•   Organic net sales declined 2%, due to weaker performance in US Spirits
and Canada, partially offset by growth from Diageo Beer Company (DBC USA).

•   Price/mix grew 1% and was more than offset by a 3% decline in volume,
mainly in vodka and rum.

•   US Spirits net sales declined 2%, lapping strong double-digit growth
in tequila, US whiskey and spirits-based ready to drink products. Depletion
growth was approximately one percentage point ahead of shipment growth in the
first half of fiscal 24, with some variation across brands. Overall inventory
levels at distributors at the end of the first half of fiscal 24 remained in
line with historical levels.

•   DBC USA net sales grew 5%, reflecting strong growth in Guinness and
Smirnoff flavoured malt beverages.

•   Organic operating margin increased by 12bps, driven by gross margin
expansion, partially offset by increased marketing investment. Gross margin
improvement was driven by productivity savings, supply efficiencies and
pricing actions which more than offset adverse mix and inflation.

•   Marketing investment grew 2% as we invested in key categories and
brands.

 

US Spirits highlights((1)):

•   Tequila net sales declined 5%, primarily due to a 14% decline in
Casamigos lapping double-digit growth as distributors replenished inventory in
the prior year. Don Julio net sales increased 2%, driven by aged liquid
variants including Reposado, partially offset by some destocking of Don Julio
1942. Both Casamigos and Don Julio depletions were significantly ahead of
shipments. Diageo's tequila portfolio continues to grow share of the total US
spirits industry, primarily driven by Don Julio.

•   Crown Royal whisky net sales decreased 2%, primarily due to Crown
Royal Deluxe and Crown Royal Peach, partially offset by the strength of
broader flavours, led by Crown Royal Salted Caramel and Crown Royal Regal
Apple, as well as premium variants.

•   Vodka net sales declined 4%, primarily due to Cîroc, which declined
21% as consumers shifted into other spirits categories, partially offset by 2%
growth in Smirnoff, driven by flavoured variants. Ketel One net sales declined
4% driven by Ketel One Botanicals. Ketel One held share of spirits and grew
share of the vodka category supported by our 'Made to Cocktail' media
campaign.

•   Johnnie Walker net sales declined 13%, due to continued normalisation
of demand for luxury variant Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Johnnie Walker gained
share of the scotch category in the first half of fiscal 24.

•   Captain Morgan net sales declined 2%, primarily due to Captain Morgan
Original Spiced.

•   Bulleit whiskey net sales increased 19%, significantly ahead of
depletions growth as inventory levels continue to normalise. Bulleit held
share of the spirits industry.

•   Buchanan's net sales increased 36%, primarily driven by the continued
success of Buchanan's Pineapple. Buchanan's trademark also gained share of the
spirits industry.

•   Single Malts net sales declined 27%, due to the lapping of the launch
of luxury innovation Lagavulin 11YO Charred Oak Cask.

•   Spirits-based cocktails net sales increased 33%, driven by the
expansion of our cocktail collection Ketel One Espresso Martini, Ketel One
Cosmopolitan, and Tanqueray Negroni.

 

 Key financials ($ million): North America
                                            F23 H1              Exchange  Acquisitions  Organic movement  Other((3))  F24 H1  Reported movement

%
                                            Re-presented((2))             and

                                                                          disposals
 Net sales                                  4,149               (3)       2             (64)              -           4,084   (2)
 Marketing                                  767                 (1)       4             12                -           782     2
 Operating profit before exceptional items  1,690               62        (11)          (21)              5           1,725   2
 Exceptional operating items((4))           (31)                                                                      (182)
 Operating profit                           1,659                                                                     1,543   (7)

 

(1)Spirits brands excluding cocktails, which includes ready to drink,
ready-to-serve and non-alcoholic variants.

(2) See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(3)Fair value remeasurements. For further details see page 21.

(4)For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 21 and 33-34.

 

 Markets and categories:                                                  Key brands((3)):
                     Organic       Reported   Organic     Reported                              Organic         Organic     Reported

                     volume        volume     net sales   net sales                             volume          net sales   net sales

                     movement      movement   movement    movement                              movement((4))   movement    movement
                     %             %          %           %                                     %               %           %
 North America((1))  (3)           (3)        (2)         (2)             Crown Royal           (3)             (2)         (2)
                                                                          Don Julio             19              2           2
 US Spirits((1))     (3)           (2)        (2)         (2)             Smirnoff              (5)             2           1
 DBC USA((2))        2             2          5           5               Casamigos((5))        (9)             (14)        (14)
 Canada              (7)           (7)        (5)         (7)             Johnnie Walker        (6)             (13)        (13)
                                                                          Captain Morgan        (7)             (1)         (1)
 Spirits((1))        (4)           (3)        (3)         (3)             Baileys               -               5           4
 Beer                3             3          6           6               Ketel One((6))        (5)             (5)         (5)
 Ready to drink      (6)           (6)        7           6               Bulleit whiskey((7))  13              19          19
                                                                          Guinness              2               5           5
                                                                          Buchanan's            50              35          35

 

 North America contributed                                        North America organic net sales declined
 37% of Diageo reported net sales in first half of fiscal 24      2% in first half of fiscal 24

 

(1)Reported volume movement includes impacts from acquisitions and/or
disposals. For further details see pages 46-48.

(2)Certain spirits-based ready to drink products in certain states are
distributed through DBC USA and those net sales are captured within DBC USA.

(3)Spirits brands excluding cocktails, which includes ready to drink, ready-
to-serve and non-alcoholic variants.

(4)Organic equals reported volume movement.

(5)Casamigos trademark includes both tequila and mezcal.

(6)Ketel One includes Ketel One vodka and Ketel One Botanicals.

(7)Bulleit whiskey excludes Bulleit Crafted Cocktails.

 

Europe

•   Reported net sales grew 10%, primarily driven by a hyperinflation
adjustment((1)) related to Turkey and organic growth.

•   Organic net sales grew 3%, primarily driven by double-digit growth in
Turkey and high single-digit growth in Great Britain and Ireland. This was
significantly offset by declines in Eastern Europe, primarily due to lapping
final sales of inventories in Russia following the previously announced
winding down of operations in fiscal 23. Excluding the impact of lapping the
final sales of inventories in Russia, organic net sales grew 6%.

•   Price/mix grew 7%, driven by price increases across all markets, with
Guinness growth driving particularly strong price/mix in Great Britain and
Ireland. Volume declined by 4%, primarily in the standard price tier.

•   Spirits net sales were flat, with high double-digit growth in tequila,
primarily Don Julio, offset by declines in other categories, mainly rum and
gin. Excluding the effect of lapping final sales of inventories in Russia,
spirits net sales grew 3%.

•   Beer net sales grew 20%, driven by both positive volume and price/mix.
Guinness net sales grew 24%, gaining share in the on-trade in both Ireland and
Great Britain.

•   Organic operating margin declined by 257bps. Strong strategic price
increases were more than offset by cost inflation and increased marketing
investment.

•   Marketing investment increased 9%, driven primarily by investment in
Johnnie Walker, Don Julio and Tanqueray 0.0.

 

Market highlights:

•   Great Britain net sales grew 9%, primarily driven by strong
performance in Guinness, which gained share in both the on-trade and
off-trade.

•   Southern Europe net sales were 1% lower, due to declines in rum and
J&B more than offsetting strong growth in Johnnie Walker Red Label and
Johnnie Walker Black Label. Southern Europe delivered double-digit basis point
market share gains in the whisky category.

•   Northern Europe net sales were 4% lower, due to declines in Talisker,
Lagavulin and ready to drink (RTD) cocktails more than offsetting double
digit-growth in Johnnie Walker Red Label.

•   Ireland net sales grew 10%, primarily driven by double-digit growth in
Guinness and strong share gains in the on-trade.

•   Eastern Europe net sales declined 16%, primarily driven by lapping the
final sales of inventories in Russia in the first half of the prior year.
Excluding Russia, net sales grew 5% driven by Guinness and Don Julio.

•   Turkey net sales grew 30%, with volume growth of 3%, primarily
reflecting the impact of price increases in response to inflation and
increased excise duties. Growth was mostly driven by strong performance in
Johnnie Walker Red Label and Johnnie Walker Black Label, with share gains in
whisky.

 

 Key financials ($ million): Europe
                                            F23 H1              Exchange  Acquisitions  Organic movement  Hyperinflation((1))  F24 H1  Reported movement

                                            Re-presented((2))             and                                                          %

                                                                          disposals
 Net sales                                  2,339               5         20            78                123                  2,565   10
 Marketing                                  387                 7         16            35                14                   459     19
 Operating profit before exceptional items  820                 13        (9)           (34)              7                    797     (3)
 Exceptional operating items((3))           17                                                                                 (11)
 Operating profit                           837                                                                                786     (6)

 

(1)See pages 35 and 45-47 for details on hyperinflation adjustments..

(2)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(3)For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 21 and 33-34.

 

 Markets and categories:                                                    Key brands((2)):
                       Organic       Reported   Organic     Reported                        Organic         Organic     Reported

volume

                       volume        volume     net sales   net sales
movement((3))  net sales   net sales

                       movement      movement   movement    movement                                        movement    movement
                       %             %          %           %                               %               %           %
 Europe((1))           (4)           (3)        3           10              Guinness        9               24          32
                                                                            Johnnie Walker  8               12          17
 Great Britain((1))    (1)           (2)        9           15              Baileys         -               2           8
 Southern Europe((1))  (5)           (5)        (1)         5               Smirnoff        (3)             3           9
 Northern Europe((1))  (7)           (7)        (4)         2               Captain Morgan  (10)            (7)         (3)
 Ireland((1))          (1)           (2)        10          17              Gordon's        (11)            (5)         -
 Eastern Europe((1))   (15)          (15)       (16)        (15)            Tanqueray       (10)            (6)         (1)
 Turkey((1))           3             3          30          25              JεB             (7)             (11)        (6)

 Spirits((1))          (4)           (4)        -           6
 Beer                  7             7          20          28
 Ready to drink((1))   (14)          (15)       (8)         (4)

 

 Europe contributed                                               Europe organic net sales grew
 23% of Diageo reported net sales in first half of fiscal 24      3% in first half of fiscal 24

 

(1)Reported volume movement includes impacts from acquisitions and/or
disposals. For further details see pages 46-48.

(2)Spirits brands excluding ready to drink and non-alcoholic variants.

(3)Organic equals reported volume movement.

 

Asia Pacific

•   Reported net sales grew 2%, driven by organic growth, partially offset
by the disposal of Windsor and the negative impact of foreign exchange.

•   Organic net sales grew 6%, driven by double-digit growth in Greater
China, lapping low single-digit growth in the prior year, and high
single-digit growth in India. This was partially offset by declines in markets
lapping on-trade recovery, mainly North Asia and South East Asia, as well as a
decline in Australia.

•   Price/mix of 8% was driven by price increases and the growth of
ultra-premium and super-premium price tiers, led by Chinese white spirits,
scotch and tequila.

•   Spirits net sales grew 8%, primarily driven by strong double-digit
growth in Chinese white spirits; IMFL whisky((1)) and The Singleton also grew
double-digits. Tequila delivered triple-digit growth, primarily in South East
Asia and Travel Retail, albeit on a smaller base.

•   Organic operating margin declined by 84bps. Positive mix, attributable
to growth in Chinese white spirits in Greater China, as well as favourable
product mix in India driving positive gross margin, was more than offset by
marketing investment.

•   Marketing investment grew 15%, mainly driven by incremental investment
in Chinese white spirits, as well as Don Julio 1942 and single malts across
almost all markets.

 

Market highlights:

•   India net sales grew 9%, driven by double-digit growth in IMFL whisky
and scotch. Scotch growth was driven by Johnnie Walker and Black & White.

•   Greater China net sales grew 18%, primarily driven by strong growth in
Chinese white spirits, reflecting the recovery of the on-trade following the
easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

•   Australia net sales declined 6%, primarily driven by RTD cocktails.

•   South East Asia net sales declined 5%, lapping strong double-digit
growth in the prior period. Growth across the region, mainly in Don Julio and
The Singleton, was more than offset by double-digit declines in Vietnam,
particularly impacting Johnnie Walker.

•   North Asia (Korea and Japan) net sales declined 6%, lapping strong
growth in the prior period driven by the recovery of the on-trade. The decline
was attributable to scotch, primarily Johnnie Walker Black Label and White
Horse.

•   Travel Retail Asia and Middle East net sales grew 4%, primarily driven
by Don Julio 1942.

 

 Key financials ($ million): Asia Pacific
                                            F23 H1              Exchange  Acquisitions  Organic movement  F24 H1  Reported movement

                                            Re-presented((2))             and                                     %

                                                                          disposals
 Net sales                                  2,169               (23)      (65)          125               2,206   2
 Marketing                                  356                 -         (3)           53                406     14
 Operating profit before exceptional items  704                 (24)      (14)          23                689     (2)
 Exceptional operating items((3))           (25)                                                          -
 Operating profit                           679                                                           689     1

(1)Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) whisky.

(2)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(3)For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 21 and 33-34.

 

 Markets and categories:                                                                  Key brands((2)):
                                     Organic       Reported   Organic     Reported                             Organic         Organic     Reported

volume

                                     volume        volume     net sales   net sales
movement((3))  net sales   net sales

                                     movement      movement   movement    movement                                             movement    movement
                                     %             %          %           %                                    %               %           %
 Asia Pacific((1))                   (2)           (15)       6           2               Johnnie Walker       (11)            1           5
                                                                                          Shui Jing Fang((4))  44              32          27
 India((1))                          -             (16)       9           (1)             McDowell's           (5)             3           (1)
 Greater China                       20            20         18          14              The Singleton        28              22          20
 Australia                           (10)          (10)       (6)         (8)             Smirnoff             (2)             (1)         (5)
 South East Asia((1))                (15)          (15)       (5)         -               Royal Challenge      13              20          17
 North Asia                          (27)          (27)       (6)         (18)            Guinness             (11)            (9)         (7)
 Travel Retail Asia and Middle East  (18)          (18)       4           12              Black & White        17              22          19

 Spirits((1)(2))                     (2)           (14)       8           3
 Beer                                (11)          (11)       (8)         (6)
 Ready to drink                      (17)          (17)       (12)        (14)

 

 Asia Pacific contributed                                         Asia Pacific organic net sales grew
 20% of Diageo reported net sales in first half of fiscal 24      6% in first half of fiscal 24

 

(1)Reported volume movement includes impacts from acquisitions and/or
disposals. For further details see pages 46-48.

(2)Spirits brands excluding ready to drink and non-alcoholic variants.

(3)Organic equals reported volume movement.

(4)Growth figures represent total Chinese white spirits of which Shui Jing
Fang is the principal brand.

 

Latin America and Caribbean

•   Reported net sales declined 18%, reflecting weaker organic performance
partially offset by a favourable impact from foreign exchange, mainly due to a
strengthening of various major regional currencies.

•    Organic net sales declined 23%, driven by softening consumer demand
across LAC markets and lapping strong double-digit growth. Despite depletions
running ahead of shipments during the period, inventory levels in the channel
remained elevated at the end of the first half of fiscal 24.

•   Price/mix declined 4%, reflecting higher trade investment to manage
inventory towards appropriate levels for the current macroeconomic
environment, and consumer downtrading.

•   Spirits net sales declined 25%, primarily led by a double-digit
decline in scotch, particularly Buchanan's, Johnnie Walker Black Label and Old
Parr, as well as a strong double-digit decline in Don Julio.

•   Organic operating margin declined by 994bps, driven by lower operating
leverage, increased trade investment and cost inflation.

•   Marketing investment declined 19%, slightly behind the organic net
sales decline, in response to the softening consumer environment.

 

Market highlights:

•   Brazil net sales declined 27%, primarily driven by a strong
double-digit decline in scotch across all brands, while winning market share
in the scotch, vodka and gin categories.

•   Mexico net sales declined 28%, primarily driven by strong double-digit
declines in tequila, led by Don Julio, and scotch.

•   Central America and Caribbean (CCA) net sales declined 29%, primarily
due to strong double-digit declines in scotch and tequila, which more than
offset strong triple-digit growth in Smirnoff Ice flavoured malt beverages.

•   Andean (Colombia and Venezuela) net sales declined 22%, with positive
price/mix more than offset by lower volume. Scotch contracted 25%, primarily
driven by strong double-digit declines in Buchanan's and Johnnie Walker, and a
double-digit decline in Old Parr.

•   South LAC (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and
Uruguay) net sales grew 4%, driven by strong price/mix, partially offset by a
decline in volume.

 

 Key financials ($ million): Latin America and Caribbean
                   F23 H1              Exchange  Organic movement  Other ((2))  F24 H1  Reported movement

                   Re-presented((1))                                                    %
 Net sales         1,299               80        (310)             -            1,069   (18)
 Marketing         209                 15        (40)              -            184     (12)
 Operating profit  538                 36        (234)             (24)         316     (41)

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)Fair value remeasurements. For further details see page 21.

 

 Markets and categories:                                                           Key brands((1)):
                              Organic       Reported   Organic     Reported                           Organic         Organic     Reported

volume

                              volume        volume     net sales   net sales
movement((2))  net sales   net sales

                              movement      movement   movement    movement                                           movement    movement
                              %             %          %           %                                  %               %           %
 Latin America and Caribbean                                                       Johnnie Walker     (14)            (18)        (16)
                              (19)          (19)       (23)        (18)            Buchanan's         (24)            (32)        (20)
                                                                                   Don Julio          (28)            (36)        (29)
 Brazil                       (15)          (15)       (27)        (23)            Old Parr           (20)            (30)        (20)
 Mexico                       (21)          (21)       (28)        (18)            Smirnoff           (17)            (16)        (16)
 CCA                          (22)          (22)       (29)        (26)            Black & White      (25)            (32)        (24)
 Andean                       (27)          (27)       (22)        6               Baileys            (25)            (18)        (14)
 South LAC                    (19)          (19)       4           (13)            White Horse        (17)            (31)        (26)

 Spirits                      (19)          (19)       (25)        (19)
 Beer                         12            12         45          51
 Ready to drink               (13)          (13)       (13)        (10)

 

 

 Latin America and Caribbean contributed                          Latin America and Caribbean organic net sales declined
 10% of Diageo reported net sales in first half of fiscal 24      23% in first half of fiscal 24

 

(1)Spirits brands excluding ready to drink and non-alcoholic variants.

(2)Organic equals reported volume movement.

 

Africa

•   Reported net sales declined 12%, reflecting an unfavourable impact
from foreign exchange, mainly due to a weakening Nigerian naira and Kenyan
shilling, partially offset by organic growth.

•   Organic net sales grew 9%, with growth across all markets except South
Africa. Growth was driven by price increases, partially offset by a 6% decline
in volume.

•   Price/mix grew 16%, mainly due to broad-based price increases in
Nigeria, Africa Regional Markets and East Africa. Volume declines were driven
by spirits, mainly vodka and scotch, primarily in the value and standard price
tiers.

•   Spirits net sales declined 4%, driven by a 14% volume decrease, mainly
in international spirits led by Smirnoff 1818 and Johnnie Walker Red Label.
Chrome and Orijin also contributed to the volume decline.

•   Beer net sales grew 17%, with strong growth in all main beer markets,
Nigeria, East Africa and Africa Regional Markets. The increase was primarily
driven by Malta Guinness, Senator and Guinness, each delivering double digit
growth. Net sales benefitted from price increases and volume growth of 3%.

•   Organic operating margin increased by 2bps, as price increases and
productivity savings more than offset cost inflation.

•   Marketing investment grew 6%, focused on supporting spirits
premiumisation, Guinness and tequila penetration.

 

Market highlights:

•   East Africa net sales increased 9%, lapping a softer comparator and
driven by price increases and 2% volume growth. The increase was primarily
driven by beer, mainly Senator. Spirits also contributed to the improvement
led by gin, rum and scotch, followed by RTD, particularly Smirnoff Ice.

•   Nigeria net sales grew 20%, driven by strong price/mix supported by
price increases across all categories. Growth was partially offset by a
decline in volume.

•   Africa Regional Markets net sales grew 11%, led by growth in beer,
primarily driven by Malta Guinness and Guinness, supported by price increases.
The growth was partially offset by a decline in spirits particularly in
Johnnie Walker. Strong price/mix more than offset a volume decline of 10%.

•   South Africa net sales declined 15%, primarily driven by lower volume
of 21%, reflecting declines in Johnnie Walker Black Label and Smirnoff 1818.

 

 Key financials ($ million): Africa
                   F23 H1              Exchange  Reclassification  Acquisitions  Organic movement  Hyperinflation((2))  F24 H1  Reported movement

                   Re-presented((1))                               and                                                          %

                                                                   disposals
 Net sales         1,113               (229)     -                 (8)           95                4                    975     (12)
 Marketing         133                 (25)      (7)               (2)           7                 -                    106     (20)
 Operating profit  215                 (93)      -                 (3)           21                (10)                 130     (40)

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)See pages 35 and 45-47 for details on hyperinflation adjustments.

 

 Markets and categories:                                                            Key brands((2)):
                               Organic       Reported   Organic     Reported                        Organic         Organic     Reported

volume

                               volume        volume     net sales   net sales
movement((3))  net sales   net sales

                               movement      movement   movement    movement                                        movement    movement
                               %             %          %           %                               %               %           %
 Africa((1))                   (6)           (4)        9           (12)            Guinness        (12)            11          (32)
                                                                                    Malta Guinness  4               47          (4)
 East Africa                   2             2          9           (5)             Senator         31              34          11
 Nigeria                       (15)          (15)       20          (35)            Johnnie Walker  (22)            (11)        (18)
 Africa Regional Markets((1))  (10)          (13)       11          (17)            Smirnoff        (19)            (11)        (25)
 South Africa                  (21)          5          (15)        17              Tusker          (3)             3           (9)
                                                                                    Serengeti       (12)            (3)         (9)
 Spirits((1))                  (14)          (8)        (4)         (8)
 Beer((1))                     3             3          17          (14)
 Ready to drink((1))           (2)           (28)       28          (24)

 

 Africa contributed                                              Africa organic net sales grew
 9% of Diageo reported net sales in first half of fiscal 24      9% in first half of fiscal 24

 

(1)Reported volume movement includes impacts from acquisitions and/or
disposals. For further details see pages 46-48.

(2)Spirits brands excluding ready to drink and non-alcoholic variants.

(3)Organic equals reported volume movement, except for Guinness which had
reported volume movement of (10)%.

 

Category and brand review

Scotch net sales declined 10%, primarily due to LAC. Excluding LAC scotch net
sales declined 5%.

◦    Johnnie Walker declined 5%, led by LAC, followed by North America,
partially offset by growth in Europe.

◦    Buchanan's, excluding Buchanan's Pineapple((1)), declined 29% due to
lower volume of 21% mainly led by LAC. North America also contributed to the
decline.

◦    Scotch malts declined 12%, led by Europe and North America lapping
the launch of innovations including Lagavulin 11YO Charred Oak Cask.

•   Tequila net sales declined 6%, attributable to declines in North
America and LAC, partially offset by strong growth in Europe, APAC, and
Africa, reflecting the global expansion of Don Julio.

•   Vodka net sales declined 5%, primarily due to lower volume, mainly
driven by Cîroc in North America and Europe.

•   Rum net sales declined 5%, led by Europe, with volumes declining
across all regions.

•   Liqueurs net sales declined 1%, primarily driven by Baileys in LAC,
APAC and Africa, largely offset by growth in North America.

•   Beer net sales grew 14%, with strong growth in all regions except
APAC. Growth was led by strong performance of Guinness in Europe, Africa, and
North America as well as Malta and Senator in Africa. Beer volume grew 3%.

•   Ready to drink net sales declined 3%, driven by APAC, Europe and LAC,
partially offset by growth in Africa and North America.

•   Total trade market share grew or held in 30%(2) of total net sales
value in measured markets. This compares to 75% in the first half of fiscal
23. The decline was primarily driven by a 17bps share loss in North America,
which represents 39% of the total net sales value in measured markets in the
first half of fiscal 24.

 

Key categories

                             Organic         Organic     Reported    Reported

volume

movement((3))  net sales   net sales   net sales

%

                                             movement    movement    by category

                                             %           %           %
 Spirits((4))                (6)             (3)         (2)         80
 Scotch                      (10)            (10)        (8)         26
 Tequila                     -               (6)         (5)         11
 Vodka((5)(6))               (9)             (5)         (5)         9
 Canadian whisky((7))        (4)             (2)         (2)         6
 Rum((6))                    (16)            (5)         -           5
 Liqueurs                    (6)             (1)         2           6
 Gin((6))                    (10)            (6)         3           5
 IMFL whisky((7))            4               10          (4)         4
 Chinese white spirits((7))  44              32          27          4
 US whiskey((7))             (1)             6           6           2
 Beer                        3               14          4           15
 Ready to drink              (11)            (3)         (10)        4

(1)Buchanan's Pineapple is not classified as a scotch.

(2)Internal estimates incorporating Nielsen, Association of Canadian
Distillers, Dichter & Neira, Frontline, INTAGE, IRI, ISCAM, NABCA, State
Monopolies, TRAC, IPSOS and other third-party providers. All analysis of data
has been applied with a tolerance of +/- 3 bps. Percentages represent percent
of markets by total Diageo net sales contribution that have held or gained
total trade share fiscal year to date. Measured markets indicate a market
where we have purchased any market share data. Market share data may include
beer, wine, spirits or other elements. Measured market net sales value sums to
89% of total Diageo net sales value in the first half of fiscal 24.

(3)Organic equals reported volume movement except for spirits (10)%, vodka
(10)%, liqueurs (5)%, gin (3)%, IMFL whisky (15)%,and ready to drink (18)%.

(4)Spirits brands excluding ready to drink and non-alcoholic variants.

(5)Vodka includes Ketel One Botanical.

(6)Vodka, rum and gin include IMFL variants.

(7)See pages 8-9 for details of Canadian whisky, US whiskey and pages 12-13
for details of IMFL whisky and Chinese white spirits.

 

 Key brands((1)):
                       Organic         Organic     Reported

volume

movement((2))  net sales   net sales

%

                                       movement    movement

                                       %           %
 Johnnie Walker        (7)             (5)         (3)
 Guinness              (1)             14          6
 Smirnoff              (8)             (1)         (1)
 Don Julio             7               (1)         1
 Crown Royal           (3)             (2)         (2)
 Baileys               (5)             -           2
 Casamigos((3))        (8)             (13)        (13)
 Shui Jing Fang((4))   44              32          27
 Captain Morgan        (9)             (3)         (2)
 Scotch malts          (6)             (12)        (11)
 Buchanan's            (6)             (11)        (2)
 McDowell's            (5)             2           (1)
 Gordon's              (13)            (4)         19
 Tanqueray             (12)            (10)        (10)
 Bulleit whiskey((5))  13              19          19
 Ketel One((6))        (6)             (5)         (5)
 Cîroc vodka           (22)            (23)        (22)
 Old Parr              (18)            (25)        (17)
 Black & White         (13)            (12)        (9)
 Yenì Raki             (4)             (6)         11
 JεB                   (12)            (17)        (13)
 Bundaberg             (5)             (1)         (4)

 

(1)Brands excluding ready to drink, non-alcoholic variants and beer except
Guinness.

(2)Organic equals reported volume movement, except for Gordon's which had
reported volume movement of 1%.

(3)Casamigos trademark includes both tequila and mezcal.

(4)Growth figures represent total Chinese white spirits of which Shui Jing
Fang is the principal brand.

(5)Bulleit whiskey excludes Bulleit Crafted Cocktails.

(6)Ketel One includes Ketel One vodka and Ketel One Botanical.

 

Additional financial information

Six months ended 31 December 2023

 Summary income statement

 

                                                              31 December 2022   Exchange   Acquisitions and disposals  Organic movement((2))  Fair value remeasurement  Reclassification  Hyperinflation((2))  31 December 2023

                                                                                 (a)        (b)                                                (d)
                                                              Re-presented((1))  $ million  $ million                   $ million              $ million                 $ million         $ million            $ million

                                                              $ million
 Sales                                                        15,611             (353)      (328)                       152                    -                         -                 99                   15,181
 Excise duties                                                (4,491)            186        277                         (219)                  -                         -                 28                   (4,219)
 Net sales                                                    11,120             (167)      (51)                        (67)                   -                         -                 127                  10,962
 Cost of sales                                                (4,248)            156        25                          (36)                   (24)                      -                 (86)                 (4,213)
 Gross profit                                                 6,872              (11)       (26)                        (103)                  (24)                      -                 41                   6,749
 Marketing                                                    (1,861)            1          (15)                        (70)                   -                         7                 (14)                 (1,952)
 Other operating items                                        (1,241)            14         4                           (32)                   5                         (7)               (30)                 (1,287)
 Operating profit before exceptional items                    3,770              4          (37)                        (205)                  (19)                      -                 (3)                  3,510
 Exceptional operating items (c)                              (39)                                                                                                                                              (193)
 Operating profit                                             3,731                                                                                                                                             3,317
 Non-operating items (c)                                      19                                                                                                                                                (60)
 Net finance charges                                          (345)                                                                                                                                             (431)
 Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures  202                                                                                                                                               253
 Profit before taxation                                       3,607                                                                                                                                             3,079
 Taxation (e)                                                 (766)                                                                                                                                             (737)
 Profit for the period                                        2,841                                                                                                                                             2,342

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)For the definition of organic movement and hyperinflation see pages 44-45.

 

 (a) Exchange

The impact of movements in exchange rates on reported figures for operating
profit was principally in respect of the favourable exchange impact of the
strengthening of the Mexican peso and sterling against the US dollar,
partially offset by the weakening of the Nigerian naira, Kenyan shilling and
the Turkish lira.

The effect of movements in exchange rates and other movements on profit before
exceptional items and taxation for the six months ended 31 December 2023 is
set out in the table below.

                                               Gains/(losses)
                                               $ million
 Translation impact                            (9)
 Transaction impact                            13
 Operating profit before exceptional items     4
 Net finance charges - translation impact      (7)
 Net finance charges - transaction impact      (6)
 Net finance charges                           (13)
 Associates - translation impact               14
 Profit before exceptional items and taxation  5

 

                   Six months ended 31 December 2023  Six months ended 31 December 2022
 Exchange rates
 Translation $1 =  £0.80                              £0.85
 Transaction $1 =  £0.79                              £0.78
 Translation $1 =  €0.92                              €0.98

 

 (b) Acquisitions and disposals

The acquisitions and disposals movement in the six months ended 31 December
2023 was primarily attributable to the disposal of the United Spirits Limited
(USL) Popular brands and Guinness Cameroun S.A. See pages 22, 38 and 44-48 for
further details.

 

 (c) Exceptional items

In the six months ended 31 December 2023, exceptional operating items were a
loss of $193 million (2022 - a loss of $39 million), mainly due to various
dispute and litigation matters ($108 million) and charges in respect of brand
impairment ($54 million) and the supply chain agility programme ($31 million).

In the six months ended 31 December 2023, exceptional non-operating items were
a loss of $60 million (2022 - a gain of $19 million), mainly driven by the
loss on the sale of the Windsor business in Korea ($53 million).

See pages 33-34 for further details.

 

 (d) Fair value remeasurement

The adjustment to cost of sales reflects the elimination of fair value changes
for biological assets in respect of growing agave plants of $24 million loss
for the six months ended 31 December 2023 and $nil for the six months ended 31
December 2022. The adjustments to marketing and other operating expenses were
the elimination of fair value changes to contingent consideration liabilities
and earn-out arrangements in respect of prior year acquisitions of $23 million
gain for the six months ended 31 December 2023 and $18 million gain for the
six months ended 31 December 2022.

 

 (e) Taxation

The reported tax rate for the six months ended 31 December 2023 was 23.9%
compared with 21.2% for the six months ended 31 December 2022.

For the six months ended 31 December 2023, income tax expense was recognised
based on management's best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax
rate expected for the full financial year applied to the pre-tax income of the
interim period in line with the relevant accounting standard.

Included in the tax charge of $737 million in the six months ended 31 December
2023 is a net exceptional tax credit of $42 million, including an exceptional
tax credit of $23 million in respect of various dispute and litigation
matters in North America and Europe and $13 million in respect of brand
impairments in the US ready to drink portfolio.

The tax rate before exceptional items for the six months ended 31 December
2023 was 23.4% compared with 23.4% for the six months ended 31 December 2022.

We expect the tax rate before exceptional items for the year ending 30 June
2024 to be in the region of 23%.

 

 (f) Dividend

The group aims to increase the dividend each year. The decision in respect of
the dividend is made with reference to the dividend cover as well as current
performance trends, including sales and profit after tax together with cash
generation. Diageo targets dividend cover (the ratio of basic earnings per
share before exceptional items to dividend per share) within the range of
1.8-2.2 times. For the year ended 30 June 2023, dividend cover was 2.0 times
on a re-presented basis. The group will keep future returns of capital,
including dividends, under review through the year ending 30 June 2024 to
ensure Diageo's capital is allocated in the best way to maximise value for the
business and its stakeholders.

An interim dividend of 40.50 cents per share will be paid to holders of
ordinary shares and US ADRs on register as of 1 March 2024. The ex-dividend
date is 29 February 2024. This represents an increase of 5% on last year's
interim dividend. The interim dividend will be paid to holders of ordinary
shares and US ADRs on 17 April 2024. Holders of ordinary shares will receive
their dividends in sterling unless they elect to receive their dividends in US
dollars by 15 March 2024. The dividend per share in pence to be paid to
ordinary shareholders will be announced approximately two weeks prior to the
payment date and will be determined by the actual foreign exchange rates
achieved by Diageo buying forward contracts, entered into during the three
days preceding the announcement. A dividend reinvestment plan is available to
holders of ordinary shares in respect of the interim dividend and the plan
notice date is 15 March 2024.

 

 (g) Return of capital

Diageo's current return of capital programme, approved by the Board on 31 July
2023, seeks to return up to $1.0 billion to shareholders and is expected to be
completed no later than 26 June 2024. The current programme follows the
successful completion of Diageo's additional return of capital programme that
ended on 2 June 2023, in which $0.6 billion of capital (announced as up to
£0.5 billion on 26 January 2023) was returned to shareholders.

In the six months ended 31 December 2023, the company purchased 12.9 million
ordinary shares (2022 - 14.8 million) at a cost of $480 million (including
transaction costs of $2 million) (2022 - $655 million including transaction
costs of $8 million). All shares purchased under the share buyback programme
were cancelled. The remaining contractual amount of $522 million is expected
to be purchased by 26 June 2024. As the share buyback programme cannot be
cancelled during closed periods, a financial liability of $497 million
(including transaction costs) was accrued in line with contractual terms at 31
December 2023 (2022 - $259 million) equivalent to 13.6 million shares (2022 -
5.9 million shares) that represents the maximum potential purchase value by 31
January 2024.

 

Movements in net borrowings and equity

Movements in net borrowings

                                                       2023       2022
                                                       $ million  Re-presented((1))

                                                                  $ million
 Net borrowings at 30 June                             (19,582)   (17,107)
 Free cash flow (2)                                    1,462      964
 Acquisitions (3)                                      (3)        (129)
 Investment in associates                              (51)       (38)
 Sale of businesses and brands (4)                     18         111
 Share buyback programme (5)                           (480)      (655)
 Net sale of own shares for share schemes (6)          5          12
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests           (71)       (94)
 Net movements in bonds (7)                            558        1,689
 Net movements in other borrowings (8)                 (331)      (33)
 Equity dividend paid                                  (1,348)    (1,194)
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents  (241)      633
 Net increase in bonds and other borrowings            (227)      (1,658)
 Exchange differences (9)                              (399)      4
 Other non-cash items (10)                             (34)       (75)
 Net borrowings at 31 December                         (20,483)   (18,203)

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2) See page 49 for the analysis of free cash flow.

(3) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, Diageo paid $3 million in
respect of prior year acquisitions. Diageo completed two acquisitions in the
six months ended 31 December 2022: (i) on 29 September 2022, the acquisition
of the remaining issued share capital of Mr Black Spirits Pty Ltd, owner of Mr
Black, the Australian premium cold brew coffee liqueur, that it did not
already own; and (ii) on 2 November 2022, the acquisition of the entire issued
share capital of Balcones Distilling, a Texas craft distiller and one of the
leading producers of American single malt whiskey in the United States. In the
six months ended 31 December 2022, Diageo also paid $22 million in respect of
prior year acquisitions.

(4) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, sale of businesses and brands
included a net cash consideration of $17 million for the disposal of Windsor
Global Co., Ltd. In the six months ended 31 December 2022, sale of businesses
and brands represents the disposal of the USL Popular brands and the Archers
brand net of transaction costs.

(5) See page 21 for details of Diageo's return of capital programmes.

(6) Net sale of own shares comprised receipts from employees on the exercise
of share options of $21 million (2022 - $34 million) less purchase of own
shares for the future settlement of obligations under the employee share
option schemes of $16 million (2022 - $22 million).

(7) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, the group issued bonds of $1,700
million ($1,690 million - net of discount and fee) and repaid bonds of $500
million and €600 million ($632 million). In the six months ended 31 December
2022, the group issued bonds of $2,000 million (cash flow includes related
discount and fee) and repaid bonds of $300 million.

(8) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, the net movements in other
borrowings principally arose from the decrease in commercial paper, collateral
and bank loan balances, cash outflows of foreign currency swaps and forwards,
and repayment of lease liabilities. In the six months ended 31 December 2022,
the net movements in other borrowings principally arose from cash movement of
foreign currency swaps and forwards and repayment of lease liabilities offset
by the increase in bank loans.

(9) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, exchange losses arising on net
borrowings of $399 million were primarily driven by unfavourable exchange
movements on sterling and euro denominated borrowings and unfavourable
exchange movements on cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency swaps and
forwards and interest rate instruments. In the six months ended 31 December
2022, exchange gains arising on net borrowings of $4 million were primarily
driven by favourable exchange movements on euro and sterling denominated
borrowings and unfavourable exchange movements on cash and cash equivalents
partially offset by favourable movements on foreign currency swaps and
forwards.

(10) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, other non-cash items were
principally in respect of additional leases entered into during the period
partially offset by fair value movements of interest rate hedging instruments.
In the six months ended 31 December 2022, other non-cash items were
principally in respect of the reclassification of cash and cash equivalents in
Guinness Cameroun S.A. to assets and liabilities held for sale.

 

Movements in equity

                                                                              2023       2022
                                                                              $ million  Re-presented((1))

                                                                                         $ million
 Equity at 30 June                                                            11,709     11,511
 Adjustment to 2023 closing equity in respect of hyperinflation in Ghana (2)  51         -
 Adjusted equity at the beginning of the period                               11,760     11,511
 Profit for the period                                                        2,342      2,841
 Exchange adjustments (3)                                                     (189)      (249)
 Remeasurement of post employment benefit plans net of taxation               (109)      (451)
 Hyperinflation adjustments net of taxation (2)                               192        103
 Associates' transactions with non-controlling interests                      -          (14)
 Dividend declared to non-controlling interests                               (53)       (75)
 Equity dividend declared                                                     (1,349)    (1,200)
 Share buyback programme (4)                                                  (977)      (775)
 Other reserve movements                                                      107        148
 Equity at 31 December                                                        11,724     11,839

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2) See pages 35 and 45-47 for details on hyperinflation adjustments.

(3) Exchange movements in the six months ended 31 December 2023 primarily
arose from exchange loss driven by the Turkish lira, sterling and Indian
rupee. Exchange movements in the six months ended 31 December 2022 primarily
arose from exchange loss driven by Indian rupee and Turkish lira, partially
offset by the gain in euro.

(4) See page 21 for details of Diageo's return of capital programmes.

 

Post employment benefit plans

The net surplus of the group's post employment benefit plans decreased by $92
million from $739 million at 30 June 2023 to $647 million at 31 December 2023.
The decrease in net surplus was predominantly attributable to the unfavourable
change in the discount rate assumptions in the United Kingdom due to the
decrease in returns from 'AA' rated corporate bonds used to calculate the
discount rates on the liabilities of the post employment plans (from 5.2% to
4.5%) that was partially offset by the favourable actual change in the market
value of assets held by the post employment benefit plans in the United
Kingdom, and the change in inflation rate assumptions in the United Kingdom
(from 3.2% to 2.9%).

Total cash contributions by the group to all post employment benefit plans in
the year ending 30 June 2024 are estimated to be approximately $90 million.

 

Condensed consolidated income statement

                                                                     Six months ended 31 December 2023  Six months ended 31 December 2022
                                                              Notes  $ million                          Re-presented((1))

                                                                                                        $ million
 Sales                                                        2      15,181                             15,611
 Excise duties                                                       (4,219)                            (4,491)
 Net sales                                                    2      10,962                             11,120
 Cost of sales                                                       (4,241)                            (4,279)
 Gross profit                                                        6,721                              6,841
 Marketing                                                           (1,952)                            (1,861)
 Other operating items                                               (1,452)                            (1,249)
 Operating profit                                             2      3,317                              3,731
 Non-operating items                                          3      (60)                               19
 Finance income                                               4      287                                303
 Finance charges                                              4      (718)                              (648)
 Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures         253                                202
 Profit before taxation                                              3,079                              3,607
 Taxation                                                     5      (737)                              (766)
 Profit for the period                                               2,342                              2,841

 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders of the parent company                           2,210                              2,709
 Non-controlling interests                                           132                                132
                                                                     2,342                              2,841

 Weighted average number of shares                                   million                            million
 Shares in issue excluding own shares                                2,242                              2,274
 Dilutive potential ordinary shares                                  5                                  7
                                                                     2,247                              2,281

                                                                     cents                              cents
 Basic earnings per share                                            98.6                               119.1
 Diluted earnings per share                                          98.4                               118.8

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

                                                                              Six months ended 31 December 2023  Six months ended 31 December 2022
                                                                              $ million                          Re-presented((2))

                                                                                                                  $ million
 Other comprehensive income
 Items that will not be recycled subsequently to the income statement
 Net remeasurement of post employment benefit plans
 Group                                                                        (138)                              (622)
 Associates and joint ventures                                                (2)                                12
 Non-controlling interests                                                    (1)                                -
 Tax on post employment benefit plans                                         32                                 159
 Changes in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through other  -                                  (4)
 comprehensive income
                                                                              (109)                              (455)
 Items that may be recycled subsequently to the income statement
 Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
 Group                                                                        (18)                               (244)
 Associates and joint ventures                                                106                                75
 Non-controlling interests                                                    (8)                                (61)
 Net investment hedges                                                        (295)                              (21)
 Exchange loss recycled to the income statement
 On disposal of foreign operations                                            26                                 -
 On step acquisitions                                                         -                                  2

 Tax on exchange differences - group                                          36                                 (2)
 Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
 Hedge of foreign currency debt of the group                                  39                                 72
 Transaction exposure hedging of the group                                    90                                 176
 Hedges by associates and joint ventures                                      1                                  16
 Commodity price risk hedging of the group                                    (11)                               (8)
 Recycled to income statement - hedge of foreign currency debt of the group   52                                 (35)
 Recycled to income statement - transaction exposure hedging of the group     (125)                              (77)
 Recycled to income statement - commodity price risk hedging of the group     20                                 (41)
 Cost of hedging                                                              (48)                               -
 Recycled to income statement - cost of hedging                               (12)                               -
 Tax on effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges        (29)                               (20)
 Hyperinflation adjustments                                                   290                                129
 Tax on hyperinflation adjustments((1))                                       (98)                               (26)
                                                                              16                                 (65)
 Other comprehensive (loss) net of tax, for the period                        (93)                               (520)
 Profit for the period                                                        2,342                              2,841
 Total comprehensive income for the period                                    2,249                              2,321

 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders of the parent company                                    2,126                              2,250
 Non-controlling interests                                                    123                                71
 Total comprehensive income for the period                                    2,249                              2,321

 

(1)Tax on hyperinflation adjustments $(64) million and tax rate change on
hyperinflation adjustments $(34) million.

(2)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

 

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

                                                                          31 December 2023      30 June 2023                          31 December 2022
                                                                   Notes  $ million  $ million  Re-presented((1))  Re-presented((1))  Re-presented((1))  Re-presented((1))

                                                                                                 $ million          $ million          $ million          $ million
 Non-current assets
 Intangible assets                                                        14,496                14,506                                14,556
 Property, plant and equipment                                            8,212                 7,738                                 7,168
 Biological assets                                                        194                   197                                   143
 Investments in associates and joint ventures                             5,229                 4,825                                 4,710
 Other investments                                                        96                    71                                    50
 Other receivables                                                        32                    39                                    33
 Other financial assets                                                   430                   497                                   479
 Deferred tax assets                                                      171                   178                                   127
 Post employment benefit assets                                           1,118                 1,210                                 1,272
                                                                                     29,978                        29,261                                28,538
 Current assets
 Inventories                                                       6      9,840                 9,653                                 9,062
 Trade and other receivables                                              4,580                 3,427                                 4,648
 Assets held for sale                                                     -                     -                                     220
 Corporate tax receivables                                         5      274                   292                                   199
 Other financial assets                                                   564                   437                                   479
 Cash and cash equivalents                                         7      1,529                 1,813                                 3,319
                                                                                     16,787                        15,622                                17,927
 Total assets                                                                        46,765                        44,883                                46,465
 Current liabilities
 Borrowings and bank overdrafts                                    7      (2,004)               (2,142)                               (2,767)
 Other financial liabilities                                              (371)                 (453)                                 (524)
 Share buyback liability                                                  (497)                 -                                     (259)
 Trade and other payables                                                 (7,292)               (6,678)                               (7,332)
 Liabilities held for sale                                                -                     -                                     (92)
 Corporate tax payables                                            5      (253)                 (170)                                 (319)
 Provisions                                                               (213)                 (150)                                 (135)
                                                                                     (10,630)                      (9,593)                               (11,428)
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings                                                        7      (19,476)              (18,649)                              (18,365)
 Other financial liabilities                                              (865)                 (941)                                 (925)
 Other payables                                                           (447)                 (463)                                 (424)
 Provisions                                                               (313)                 (306)                                 (319)
 Deferred tax liabilities                                                 (2,839)               (2,751)                               (2,708)
 Post employment benefit liabilities                                      (471)                 (471)                                 (457)
                                                                                     (24,411)                      (23,581)                              (23,198)
 Total liabilities                                                                   (35,041)                      (33,174)                              (34,626)
 Net assets                                                                          11,724                        11,709                                11,839

 Equity
 Share capital                                                            893                   898                                   863
 Share premium                                                            1,703                 1,703                                 1,621
 Other reserves                                                           502                   665                                   560
 Retained earnings                                                        6,693                 6,590                                 6,722
 Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company                    9,791                         9,856                                 9,766
 Non-controlling interests                                                           1,933                         1,853                                 2,073
 Total equity                                                                        11,724                        11,709                                11,839

 

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

                                                                                                                   Retained earnings/(deficit)
                                                                             Share      Share      Other reserves  Own shares  Other retained earnings  Total       Equity attributable to parent company shareholders  Non-controlling interests  Total equity

                                                                             capital    premium
                                                                             $ million  $ million  $ million       $ million   $ million                $ million   $ million                                           $ million                  $ million
 At 30 June 2022 (re-presented(1))                                           875        1,635      658             (2,223)     8,490                    6,267       9,435                                               2,076                      11,511
 Other((2))                                                                  (7)        (14)       4               17          -                        17          -                                                   -                          -
 Profit for the period                                                       -          -          -               -           2,709                    2,709       2,709                                               132                        2,841
 Other comprehensive loss                                                    -          -          (107)           -           (352)                    (352)       (459)                                               (61)                       (520)
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period                            -          -          (107)           -           2,357                    2,357       2,250                                               71                         2,321
 Employee share schemes                                                      -          -          -               22          17                       39          39                                                  -                          39
 Share-based incentive plans                                                 -          -          -               -           31                       31          31                                                  -                          31
 Share-based incentive plans in respect of associates                        -          -          -               -           3                        3           3                                                   -                          3
 Share-based payments and purchase of own shares in respect of subsidiaries  -          -          -               -           1                        1           1                                                   1                          2
 Associates' transactions with non-controlling interests                     -          -          -               -           (14)                     (14)        (14)                                                -                          (14)
 Unclaimed dividend                                                          -          -          -               -           1                        1           1                                                   -                          1
 Change in fair value of put option                                          -          -          -               -           (5)                      (5)         (5)                                                 -                          (5)
 Share buyback programme                                                     (5)        -          5               -           (775)                    (775)       (775)                                               -                          (775)
 Dividend declared in the period                                             -          -          -               -           (1,200)                  (1,200)     (1,200)                                             (75)                       (1,275)
 At 31 December 2022 (re-presented(1))                                       863        1,621      560             (2,184)     8,906                    6,722       9,766                                               2,073                      11,839
 At 30 June 2023 (re-presented(1))                                           898        1,703      665             (2,286)     8,876                    6,590       9,856                                               1,853                      11,709
 Adjustment to 2023 closing equity in respect of hyperinflation in Ghana     -          -          -               -           41                       41          41                                                  10                         51
 Adjusted opening balance                                                    898        1,703      665             (2,286)     8,917                    6,631       9,897                                               1,863                      11,760
 Profit for the period                                                       -          -          -               -           2,210                    2,210       2,210                                               132                        2,342
 Other comprehensive (loss)/income                                           -          -          (168)           -           84                       84          (84)                                                (9)                        (93)
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period                            -          -          (168)           -           2,294                    2,294       2,126                                               123                        2,249
 Employee share schemes                                                      -          -          -               30          4                        34          34                                                  -                          34
 Share-based incentive plans                                                 -          -          -               -           24                       24          24                                                  -                          24
 Share-based incentive plans in respect of associates                        -          -          -               -           2                        2           2                                                   -                          2
 Tax on share-based incentive plans                                          -          -          -               -           (7)                      (7)         (7)                                                 -                          (7)
 Unclaimed dividend                                                          -          -          -               -           1                        1           1                                                   -                          1
 Change in fair value of put option                                          -          -          -               -           40                       40          40                                                  -                          40
 Share buyback programme                                                     (5)        -          5               -           (977)                    (977)       (977)                                               -                          (977)
 Dividend declared in the period                                             -          -          -               -           (1,349)                  (1,349)     (1,349)                                             (53)                       (1,402)
 At 31 December 2023                                                         893        1,703      502             (2,256)     8,949                    6,693       9,791                                               1,933                      11,724

 

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

(2)Includes amounts relating to foreign translation differences arising from
the retranslation of reserves due to the change in the group's presentation
currency.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

                                                                     Six months ended 31 December 2023     Six months ended 31 December 2022
                                                                     $ million          $ million          Re-presented((1))  Re-presented((1))

                                                                                                            $ million          $ million
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Profit for the period                                               2,342                                 2,841
 Taxation                                                            737                                   766
 Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures         (253)                                 (202)
 Net finance charges                                                 431                                   345
 Non-operating items                                                 60                                    (19)
 Operating profit                                                                       3,317                                 3,731
 Increase in inventories                                             (82)                                  (552)
 Increase in trade and other receivables                             (1,106)                               (1,191)
 Increase in trade and other payables and provisions                 469                                   131
 Net increase in working capital                                                        (719)                                 (1,612)
 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment                           411                                   332
 Dividends received                                                  5                                     5
 Post employment payments less amounts included in operating profit  (24)                                  (27)
 Other items                                                         59                                    9
                                                                                        451                                   319
 Cash generated from operations                                                         3,049                                 2,438
 Interest received                                                   91                                    78
 Interest paid                                                       (443)                                 (293)
 Taxation paid                                                       (551)                                 (751)
                                                                                        (903)                                 (966)
 Net cash inflow from operating activities                                              2,146                                 1,472
 Cash flows from investing activities
 Disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software     7                                     8
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment and computer software     (582)                                 (514)
 Movements in loans and other investments                            (109)                                 (2)
 Sale of businesses and brands                                       18                                    111
 Acquisition of subsidiaries                                         (3)                                   (129)
 Investment in associates and joint ventures                         (51)                                  (38)
 Net cash outflow from investing activities                                             (720)                                 (564)
 Cash flows from financing activities
 Share buyback programme                                             (480)                                 (655)
 Net sale of own shares for share schemes                            5                                     12
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                         (71)                                  (94)
 Proceeds from bonds                                                 1,690                                 1,989
 Repayment of bonds                                                  (1,132)                               (300)
 Cash inflow from other borrowings                                   470                                   173
 Cash outflow from other borrowings                                  (801)                                 (206)
 Equity dividend paid                                                (1,348)                               (1,194)
 Net cash outflow from financing activities                                             (1,667)                               (275)
 Net (decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents                               (241)                                 633
 Exchange differences                                                                   (45)                                  (25)
 Reclassification to assets held for sale                                               -                                     (57)
 Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period                               1,768                                 2,675
 Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the period                                     1,482                                 3,226

 Net cash and cash equivalents consist of:
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                              1,529                                 3,319
 Bank overdrafts                                                                        (47)                                  (93)
                                                                                        1,482                                 3,226

 

(1)See page 29 for an explanation under Basis of preparation.

 

Notes

 

1. Basis of preparation

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with UK adopted IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting',
IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board ('IASB') and The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
sourcebook of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. These financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the company's published consolidated
financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023, which were prepared in
accordance with IFRS(®) Accounting Standards adopted by the UK and IFRS
Accounting Standards issued by IASB, including interpretations issued by the
IFRS Interpretations Committee. IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by the UK
differs in certain respects from IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the
IASB, but the differences have no impact on the group's consolidated financial
statements for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements
are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention,
unless stated otherwise.

In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the
significant judgements made by management when applying the group's accounting
policies and the significant areas where estimates were required were the same
as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year
ended 30 June 2023, with the exception of changes in estimates disclosed in
note 3 Exceptional items and note 12 Contingent liabilities and legal
proceedings. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were
approved for issue on 29 January 2024.

The financial statements for Diageo plc for the year ending 30 June 2024 will
be prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by the UK
and IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the IASB, including interpretations
issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee.

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 are not the
company's statutory accounts (within the meaning of section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006) for that financial year. Those statutory accounts have
been reported on by the company's auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor (i) was
unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the
auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and
(iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006.

Going concern

Management prepared cash flow forecasts which were also sensitised to reflect
severe but plausible downside scenarios taking into consideration the group's
principal risks. In the base case scenario, management included assumptions
for mid-single digit net sales growth, flat operating margin and global TBA
market share growth. In light of the ongoing geopolitical volatility, the base
case outlook and severe but plausible downside scenarios incorporated
considerations for a prolonged global recession, supply chain disruptions,
higher inflation and further geopolitical deterioration. Even under these
scenarios, the group's liquidity is still expected to remain strong.
Mitigating actions, should they be required, are all within management's
control and could include reductions in discretionary spending such as
acquisitions and capital expenditure, as well as a temporary suspension of the
share buyback programme and dividend payments in the next 12 months, or
drawdowns on committed facilities. Having considered the outcome of these
assessments, the Directors are comfortable that the company is a going concern
for at least 12 months from the date of signing the group's condensed
consolidated interim financial statements.

Foreign currencies

Starting 1 July 2023, in line with reporting requirements, the functional
currency of Diageo plc changed from sterling to US dollars which is applied
prospectively. This is because the group's share of net sales and expenses in
the US and other countries whose currencies correlate closely with the US
dollar has been increasing over the years, and that trend is expected to
continue in line with the group's strategic focus. Diageo also decided to
change its presentation currency to US dollars with effect from 1 July 2023,
applied retrospectively, as it believes that this change will provide better
alignment of the reporting of performance with its business exposures.

The comparative financial information included in these condensed consolidated
interim financial statements of Diageo as of and for the six months ended 31
December 2023 was re-presented in US dollars following the translation
methodology in IAS 21 - The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates:

-     assets and liabilities were translated into US dollars at the
closing exchange rate prevailing at the relevant balance sheet date;

-     the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of
cash flows of non US dollar entities were translated into US dollars at
weighted average exchange rates for the relevant period, which is consistent
with the requirements of IAS21; except for subsidiaries in hyperinflationary
economies that were translated with the closing rate at the end of the
relevant period and for substantial transactions that are translated at the
rate on the date of the transaction (including acquisitions, disposals,
impairment write off, dividends received and paid);

-     share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve included in
other reserves and own shares in the statement of changes in equity were
translated into US dollars at the closing exchange rate at the relevant
balance sheet date; exchange differences arising on the retranslation to
closing rates were taken to the exchange reserve; and

-     the cumulative foreign exchange translation reserve was set to zero
on 1 July 2004, the date of transition to IFRS and this reserve was
re-presented as if the group reported in US dollars since that date.

As results of the functional and presentation currency change, the group has
rebalanced its net investment hedging portfolio in line with the shifted
currency exposure. Diageo has re-designated its buy US dollar sell sterling
cross currency interest swaps in net investment hedge relationships previously
used in cash flow hedging foreign currency debt of the group.

Weighted average exchange rates used in the translation of income statements
were sterling - $1 = £0.80 (2022 - $1 = £0.85) and euro - $1 = €0.92 (2022
- $1 = €0.98). Exchange rates used to translate assets and liabilities at
the balance sheet date were sterling - $1 = £0.79 (31 December 2022 - $1 =
£0.83; 30 June 2023 - $1 = £0.79) and euro - $1 = €0.90 (31 December 2022
- $1 = €0.94; 30 June 2023 - $1 = €0.93). The group uses foreign exchange
transaction hedges to mitigate the effect of exchange rate movements.

New accounting standards and interpretations

The following standard amendments to the Accounting Standards, issued by the
IASB and endorsed by the UK, were adopted by the group from 1 July 2023 with
no material impact on the group's consolidated results, financial position or
disclosures:

-     IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts

-     Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes - Deferred Tax related to Assets
and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

-     Amendments to IAS 1, 8 - Definition of Accounting Estimates

-     Amendments to IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative - Accounting Policies.

The following amendments issued by the IASB have been endorsed by the UK and
have not been adopted by the group:

-     Amendments to IAS 1 - Classification of Liabilities and Non-current
Liabilities with Covenants (effective from the year ending 30 June 2025)

-     Amendments to IFRS 16 - Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
(effective from the year ending 30 June 2025)

-     Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7 - Supplier Finance Arrangements
(effective from the year ending 30 June 2025).

There are a number of other amendments and clarifications to IFRS Accounting
Standards effective in future years, which are not expected to significantly
impact the group's consolidated results or financial position.

 

2. Segmental information

The segmental information presented is consistent with management reporting
provided to the Executive Committee (the chief operating decision maker).

The Executive Committee considers the business principally from a geographical
perspective based on the location of third-party sales and the business
analysis is presented by geographical segment. In addition to these
geographical selling segments, a further segment reviewed by the Executive
Committee is the Supply Chain and Procurement (SC&P) segment, which
manufactures products for other group companies and includes production sites
in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Guatemala and Mexico, and comprises the
global procurement function.

The group's operations also include the Corporate segment. Corporate costs are
in respect of central costs, including finance, marketing, corporate
relations, human resources and legal, as well as certain information systems,
facilities and employee costs that are not allocable to the geographical
segments or to the SC&P.

Diageo uses shared services operations to deliver transaction processing
activities for markets and operational entities. These centres are located in
India, Hungary, Colombia and the Philippines. These captive business service
centres also perform certain central finance activities, including elements of
financial planning and reporting, treasury and HR services. The costs of
shared services operations are recharged to the regions.

For planning and management reporting purposes, Diageo uses budgeted exchange
rates that are set at the prior year's weighted average exchange rate. In
order to ensure a consistent basis on which performance is measured through
the year, prior period results are also restated to the budgeted exchange
rate. Segmental information for net sales and operating profit before
exceptional items are reported on a consistent basis with management
reporting. The adjustments required to retranslate the segmental information
to actual exchange rates and to reconcile it to the group's reported results
are shown in the tables below. The comparative segmental information, prior to
retranslation, has not been restated at the current year's budgeted exchange
rates but is presented at the budgeted rates for the respective year.

In addition, for management reporting purposes, Diageo presents the result of
acquisitions and disposals completed in the current and prior year separately
from the results of the geographical segments. The impact of acquisitions and
disposals on net sales and operating profit is disclosed under the appropriate
geographical segments in the tables below at budgeted exchange rates.

(a) Segmental information for the consolidated income statement

                                                              North America  Europe     Asia       Latin America and Caribbean  Africa     SC&P       Eliminate  Total       Corporate   Total

                                                                                        Pacific                                                       inter-     operating   and other

                                                                                                                                                      segment    segments

                                                                                                                                                      sales
 Six months ended 31 December 2023                            $ million      $ million  $ million  $ million                    $ million  $ million  $ million  $ million   $ million   $ million
 Sales                                                        4,411          4,349      3,564      1,442                        1,352      1,842      (1,842)    15,118      63          15,181
 Net sales
 At budgeted exchange rates((1))                              4,077          2,356      2,226      1,004                        1,115      1,797      (1,742)    10,833      61          10,894
 Acquisitions and disposals                                   2              25         24         -                            65         -          -          116         -           116
 SC&P allocation                                              7              34         6          6                            2          (55)       -          -           -           -
 Retranslation to actual exchange rates                       (2)            11         (50)       59                           (211)      100        (100)      (193)       2           (191)
 Hyperinflation                                               -              139        -          -                            4          -          -          143         -           143
 Net sales                                                    4,084          2,565      2,206      1,069                        975        1,842      (1,842)    10,899      63          10,962
 Operating profit/(loss)
 At budgeted exchange rates((1))                              1,672          784        729        337                          245        (14)       -          3,753       (144)       3,609
 Acquisitions and disposals                                   (12)           (6)        7          -                            15         -          -          4           -           4
 SC&P allocation                                              (7)            (4)        (1)        (2)                          -          14         -          -           -           -
 Fair value remeasurements                                    23             -          -          (24)                         -          -          -          (1)         -           (1)
 Retranslation to actual exchange rates                       49             25         (46)       5                            (120)      -          -          (87)        (3)         (90)
 Hyperinflation                                               -              (2)        -          -                            (10)       -          -          (12)        -           (12)
 Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items             1,725          797        689        316                          130        -          -          3,657       (147)       3,510
 Exceptional operating items                                  (182)          (11)       -          -                            -          -          -          (193)       -           (193)
 Operating profit/(loss)                                      1,543          786        689        316                          130        -          -          3,464       (147)       3,317
 Non-operating items                                                                                                                                                                     (60)
 Net finance charges                                                                                                                                                                     (431)
 Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures                                                                                                                             253
 Profit before taxation                                                                                                                                                                  3,079

 

                                                              North America  Europe        Asia          Latin America and Caribbean  Africa        SC&P          Eliminate     Total         Corporate     Total

                                                                                           Pacific                                                                inter-        operating     and other

                                                                                                                                                                  segment       segments

                                                                                                                                                                  sales
 Six months ended 31 December 2022                            Re-presented   Re-presented  Re-presented  Re-presented                 Re-presented  Re-presented  Re-presented  Re-presented  Re-presented  Re-presented

$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
$ million
                                                              $ million
 Sales                                                        4,540          4,055         3,741         1,646                        1,578         1,939         (1,939)       15,560        51            15,611
 Net sales
 At budgeted exchange rates((1))                              4,144          2,432         2,310         1,332                        1,228         2,125         (2,086)       11,485        58            11,543
 Acquisitions and disposals                                   17             9             47            4                            -             -             -             77            -             77
 SC&P allocation                                              4              25            4             5                            1             (39)          -             -             -             -
 Retranslation to actual exchange rates                       (16)           (241)         (192)         (42)                         (116)         (147)         147           (607)         (7)           (614)
 Hyperinflation                                               -              114           -             -                            -             -             -             114           -             114
 Net sales                                                    4,149          2,339         2,169         1,299                        1,113         1,939         (1,939)       11,069        51            11,120
 Operating profit/(loss)
 At budgeted exchange rates((1))                              1,687          845           747           545                          284           52            -             4,160         (211)         3,949
 Acquisitions and disposals                                   (9)            3             7             -                            -             -             -             1             -             1
 SC&P allocation                                              12             29            3             7                            1             (52)          -             -             -             -
 Fair value remeasurements                                    18             (1)           -             -                            -             -             -             17            -             17
 Retranslation to actual exchange rates                       (18)           (83)          (53)          (14)                         (70)          -             -             (238)         14            (224)
 Hyperinflation                                               -              27            -             -                            -             -             -             27            -             27
 Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items             1,690          820           704           538                          215           -             -             3,967         (197)         3,770
 Exceptional operating items                                  (31)           17            (25)          -                            -             -             -             (39)          -             (39)
 Operating profit/(loss)                                      1,659          837           679           538                          215           -             -             3,928         (197)         3,731
 Non-operating items                                                                                                                                                                                        19
 Net finance charges                                                                                                                                                                                        (345)
 Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures                                                                                                                                                202
 Profit before taxation                                                                                                                                                                                     3,607

(1)These items represent the IFRS 8 performance measures for the geographical
and SC&P segments.

(i)The net sales figures for SC&P reported to the Executive Committee
primarily comprise inter-segment sales and these are eliminated in a separate
column in the above segmental analysis. Apart from sales by the SC&P
segment to the geographical segments, inter-segment sales are not material.

(ii)Approximately 36% of calendar year net sales occurred in the last four
months of 2023.

 

(b) Category and geographical analysis

                                    Category analysis                                                 Geographical analysis
 Six months ended 31 December 2023  Spirits      Beer         Ready to drink  Other       Total       United      India       Great       Rest of     Total

                                    $ million    $ million    $ million       $ million   $ million   States      $ million   Britain     world       $ million

                                                                                                      $ million               $ million   $ million
 Sales((1))                         12,409       2,063        496             213         15,181      4,158       1,687       1,571       7,765       15,181
 Six months ended 31 December 2022
 Sales((1)) (re-presented)          12,904       2,008        564             135         15,611      4,268       1,886       1,373       8,084       15,611

(1)The geographical analysis of sales is based on the location of third-party
sales.

 

3. Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those that in management's judgement need to be
disclosed separately. See page 44-45 for the definition of exceptional items
and the criteria used to determine whether an exceptional item is accounted
for as operating or non-operating.

                                             Six months ended 31 December 2023  Six months ended 31 December 2022
                                             $ million                          Re-presented

                                                                                 $ million
 Exceptional operating items
 Brand impairment (1)                        (54)                               -
 Supply chain agility programme (2)          (31)                               (56)
 Various dispute and litigation matters (3)  (108)                              -
 Winding down Russian operations (4)         -                                  17
                                             (193)                              (39)
 Non-operating items
 Sale of businesses and brands
 Windsor business (5)                        (53)                               -
 Guinness Cameroun S.A. (6)                  (11)                               (2)
 USL Popular brands (7)                      4                                  5
 Archers brand (8)                           -                                  23
 United National Breweries (9)               -                                  3
 Step acquisition - Mr Black (10)            -                                  (10)
                                             (60)                               19

 Exceptional items before taxation           (253)                              (20)

 Items included in taxation
 Tax on exceptional operating items          43                                 14
 Tax on exceptional non-operating items      (1)                                2
 Exceptional taxation (11)                   -                                  68
                                             42                                 84

 Total exceptional items                     (211)                              64

 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders of the parent company   (213)                              63
 Non-controlling interests                   2                                  1
 Total exceptional items                     (211)                              64

 

(1) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, an impairment charge of
$54 million in respect of certain brands in the US ready to drink portfolio
was recognised in exceptional operating items. The charge is mainly driven by
the reduction in forecast cash flow assumptions due to the reprioritisation of
the portfolio and the more challenging macroeconomic environment. A pre-tax
discount rate of 10% (2022 - 9%) for North America has been used to calculate
the net present value of the future cash flows expected to be generated by
these brands. The brand impairment reduced the deferred tax liability by $13
million resulting in a net exceptional loss of $41 million.

(2) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, an exceptional charge of
$31 million was accounted for in respect of the supply chain agility
programme (2022 - $56 million). With this five-year spanning programme
launched in July 2022, Diageo expects to strengthen its supply chain, improve
its resilience and agility, drive efficiencies, deliver additional
productivity savings and make its supply operations more sustainable. Total
implementation cost of the programme is expected to be up to $600 million
over the five-year period, which will comprise non‐cash items and one‐off
expenses, the majority of which are expected to be recognised as exceptional
operating items. The exceptional charge for the six months ended 31 December
2023 was primarily in respect of accelerated depreciation in North America,
being additional depreciation of assets in the period directly attributable to
the programme. Restructuring cash expenditure was $11 million in the six
months ended 31 December 2023 (2022 - $nil).

(3) In the six months ended 31 December 2023, $108 million was recorded as an
exceptional operating item in respect of various dispute and litigation
matters in North America and Europe, including certain costs and expenses
associated therewith.

(4) In the six months ended 31 December 2022, Diageo released unutilised
provisions of $17 million from the $64 million exceptional charge taken in
the year ended 30 June 2022 in respect of winding down its operations in
Russia.

(5) On 27 October 2023, Diageo completed the sale of Windsor Global Co., Ltd.
to PT W Co., Ltd., a Korean company sponsored by Pine Tree Investment &
Management Co., Ltd. for a total consideration of KRW 206 billion
($152 million). The transaction resulted in a loss of $53 million in the six
months ended 31 December 2023, which was recognised as a non-operating item
attributable to the sale, including cumulative translation losses of
$26 million recycled to the income statement.

(6) On 26 May 2023, Diageo completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary,
Guinness Cameroun S.A., its brewery in Cameroon, to Castel Group. In the six
months ended 31 December 2023, $11 million charges directly attributable to
the disposal have been accounted for. Transaction costs relating to the
prospective sale in the six months ended 31 December 2022 amounted to
$2 million.

(7) On 30 September 2022, Diageo completed the sale of the Popular brands of
its USL business. The aggregate consideration for the disposal was
$97 million, the disposed net assets included $34 million net working
capital and $23 million brand, and $19 million goodwill was derecognised. In
the six months ended 31 December 2022, the transaction resulted in an
exceptional gain of $5 million. $4 million of the purchase price, that was
subject to administrative actions within 12 months and considered uncertain at
the time of the transaction, was paid to Diageo in the six months ended 31
December 2023 and recognised as exceptional gain.

(8) On 8 September 2022, Diageo announced the sale of its Archers brand. The
transaction resulted in an exceptional gain of $23 million.

(9) In the six months ended 31 December 2022, ZAR 46 million ($3 million) of
deferred consideration was paid to Diageo in respect of the sale of United
National Breweries, the full amount of which represented a non-operating gain.

(10) On 29 September 2022, the group acquired the part of the entire issued
share capital of Mr Black Spirits Pty Ltd, owner of the Mr Black Australian
premium cold brew coffee liqueur, that it did not already own. As a result of
Mr Black becoming a subsidiary of the group, in the six months ended 31
December 2022, a loss of $10 million arose, being the difference between the
book value of the associate prior to the transaction and its fair value plus
transaction costs.

(11) Exceptional tax credits of $84 million in the six months ended 31
December 2022 include tax credits of $68 million in respect of the
deductibility of fees paid to Diageo plc for guaranteeing externally issued
debt of US group entities.

 

4. Finance income and charges

                                                                        Six months ended   Six months ended

                                                                        31 December 2023   31 December 2022
                                                                        $ million          Re-presented

                                                                                            $ million
 Interest income                                                        106                101
 Fair value gain on financial instruments                               110                167
 Total interest income                                                  216                268
 Interest charge on bonds, commercial paper, bank loans and overdrafts  (324)              (277)
 Interest charge on finance leases                                      (10)               (9)
 Other interest charges                                                 (223)              (148)
 Fair value loss on financial instruments                               (113)              (167)
 Total interest charges                                                 (670)              (601)
 Net interest charges                                                   (454)              (333)

 Net finance income in respect of post employment plans in surplus      28                 35
 Hyperinflation adjustment in respect of Turkey (1)                     22                 -
 Hyperinflation adjustment in respect of Ghana (1)                      6                  -
 Hyperinflation adjustment in respect of Venezuela (1)                  4                  -
 Interest income in respect of direct and indirect tax                  3                  -
 Change in financial liability (Level 3)                                8                  -
 Total other finance income                                             71                 35
 Net finance charge in respect of post employment plans in deficit      (10)               (9)
 Hyperinflation adjustment in respect of Turkey (1)                     -                  (7)
 Interest charge in respect of direct and indirect tax                  (17)               (20)
 Unwinding of discounts                                                 (11)               (7)
 Other finance charges                                                  (10)               (4)
 Total other finance charges                                            (48)               (47)
 Net other finance income/(charges)                                     23                 (12)

 

(1) Hyperinflationary adjustments

The group applied hyperinflationary accounting for its operations in Turkey,
Ghana and Venezuela.

The group applies hyperinflationary accounting for its operations in Ghana
starting from 1 July 2023. Hyperinflationary accounting needs to be applied as
if Ghana had always been a hyperinflationary economy, hence, as per Diageo's
accounting policy choice, the differences between equity at 30 June 2023 as
reported and the equity after the restatement of the non-monetary items to the
measuring unit current at 30 June 2023 were recognised in retained earnings.

The group's consolidated financial statements include the results and
financial position of its operations in hyperinflationary economies restated
to the measuring unit current at the end of each period, with
hyperinflationary gains and losses in respect of monetary items being reported
in finance income and charges. Comparative amounts presented in the
consolidated financial statements were not restated. When applying IAS 29 on
an ongoing basis, comparatives in stable currency are not restated and the
effect of inflating opening net assets to the measuring unit current at the
end of the reporting period is presented in other comprehensive income. The
movement in the publicly available official price index for the six months
ended 31 December 2023 was 38% (2022 - 15%) in Turkey and 9% in Ghana. The
inflation rate used by the group in the case of Venezuela is provided by an
independent valuer because no reliable, officially published rate is
available. Movement in the price index for the six months ended 31 December
2023 was 54% (2022 - 105%) in Venezuela.

Recent developments in Venezuela led management to change its estimate for the
exchange rate of VES/$ to be the official exchange rate published by
Bloomberg. Figures for the six months ended 31 December 2023 show the results
of the Venezuelan operation consolidated at the official closing exchange
rate.

 

5. Taxation

For the six months ended 31 December 2023, the tax charge of $737 million
(2022 - $766 million) comprises a UK tax charge of $116 million (2022 - $144
million) and a foreign tax charge of $621 million (2022 - $622 million).

For the six months ended 31 December 2023, income tax expense was recognised
based on management's best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax
rate expected for the full financial year applied to the pre-tax income of the
interim period in line with the relevant accounting standard.

Included in the tax charge of $737 million in the six months ended 31 December
2023 is a net exceptional tax credit of $42 million, including an exceptional
tax credit of $23 million in respect of various dispute and litigation
matters in North America and Europe and $13 million in respect of brand
impairments in the US ready to drink portfolio.

The group has a number of ongoing tax audits worldwide for which provisions
are recognised in line with the relevant international accounting standard,
taking into account best estimates and management's judgements concerning the
ultimate outcome of the tax audits. For the six months ended 31 December 2023,
ongoing audits that are provided for individually are not expected to result
in a material tax liability. The current tax asset of $274 million (30 June
2023 - $292 million) and tax liability of $253 million (30 June 2023 -
$170 million) include $213 million (30 June 2023 - $218 million) of
provisions for tax uncertainties.

In December 2021, the OECD released a framework for Pillar Two Model Rules
which will introduce a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% applicable to
multinational enterprise groups with global revenue over €750 million. The
legislation implementing the rules in the UK was substantively enacted on 20
June 2023 and will apply to Diageo from the financial year ending 30 June 2025
onwards. Diageo is reviewing this legislation and also monitoring the status
of implementation of the model rules outside of the UK to understand the
potential impact on the group. Diageo has applied the temporary exception
under IAS 12 in relation to the accounting for deferred taxes arising from the
implementation of the Pillar Two rules.

The tax rate before exceptional items for the six months ended 31 December
2023 was 23.4% compared with 23.4% for the six months ended 31 December 2022.

 

6. Inventories

                                      31 December 2023  30 June 2023  31 December 2022
                                      $ million         Re-presented  Re-presented

                                                         $ million     $ million
 Raw materials and consumables        730               684           718
 Work in progress                     156               166           200
 Maturing inventories                 7,697             7,300         6,572
 Finished goods and goods for resale  1,257             1,503         1,572
                                      9,840             9,653         9,062

 

7. Net borrowings

                                                     31 December 2023  30 June 2023  31 December 2022
                                                     $ million         Re-presented  Re-presented

                                                                       $ million      $ million
 Borrowings due within one year and bank overdrafts  (2,004)           (2,142)       (2,767)
 Borrowings due after one year                       (19,476)          (18,649)      (18,365)
 Fair value of foreign currency forwards and swaps   406               436           643
 Fair value of interest rate hedging instruments     (366)             (476)         (507)
 Lease liabilities                                   (572)             (564)         (526)
                                                     (22,012)          (21,395)      (21,522)
 Cash and cash equivalents                           1,529             1,813         3,319
                                                     (20,483)          (19,582)      (18,203)

 

8. Reconciliation of movement in net borrowings

                                                                       Six months ended 31 December 2023  Six months ended 31 December 2022
                                                                       $ million                          Re-presented

                                                                                                           $ million
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents before exchange  (241)                              633
 Net increase in bonds and other borrowings((1))                       (227)                              (1,658)
 Net increase in net borrowings from cash flows                        (468)                              (1,025)
 Exchange differences on net borrowings                                (399)                              4
 Other non-cash items((2))                                             (34)                               (75)
 Net borrowings at beginning of the period                             (19,582)                           (17,107)
 Net borrowings at end of the period                                   (20,483)                           (18,203)

(1)In the six months ended 31 December 2023, net increase in bonds and other
borrowings excludes $nil cash outflow in respect of derivatives designated in
forward point hedges (2022 - $(2) million).

(2)In the six months ended 31 December 2023, other non-cash items were
principally in respect of additional leases entered into during the period
partially offset by fair value movements of interest rate hedging instruments.
In the six months ended 31 December 2022, other non-cash items were
principally in respect of the reclassification of cash and cash equivalents in
Guinness Cameroun S.A. to assets and liabilities held for sale.

In the six months ended 31 December 2023, the group issued bonds of
$1,700 million ($1,690 million - net of discount and fee) consisting of
$800 million 5.375% fixed rate notes due 2026 and $900 million 5.625% fixed
rate notes due 2033, and repaid bonds of $500 million and €600 million
($632 million). In the six months ended 31 December 2022, the group issued
bonds of $2,000 million ($1,989 million - net of discount and fee)
consisting of $500 million 5.2% fixed rate notes due 2025, $750 million 5.3%
fixed rate notes due 2027 and $750 million 5.5% fixed rate notes due 2033,
and repaid bonds of $300 million.

All bonds and commercial paper issued by Diageo plc's wholly owned
subsidiaries are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Diageo plc.

 

9. Financial instruments

Fair value measurements of financial instruments are presented through the use
of a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritises the valuation
techniques used in fair value calculations.

The group maintains policies and procedures to value instruments using the
most relevant data available. If multiple inputs that fall into different
levels of the hierarchy are used in the valuation of an instrument, the
instrument is categorised on the basis of the most subjective input.

Foreign currency forwards and swaps, cross currency swaps and interest rate
swaps are valued using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques
incorporate inputs at levels 1 and 2, such as foreign exchange rates and
interest rates. These market inputs are used in the discounted cash flow
calculation incorporating the instrument's term, notional amount and discount
rate, and taking credit risk into account. As significant inputs to the
valuation are observable in active markets, these instruments are categorised
as level 2 in the hierarchy.

Other financial liabilities include a put option, which does not have an
expiry date, held by Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG) to sell the
remaining 50% equity stake in Rum Creation & Products Inc., the owner of
the Zacapa rum brand, to Diageo. The liability is fair valued using the
discounted cash flow method and as at 31 December 2023, an amount of
$224 million (30 June 2023 - $274 million) is recognised as a liability with
changes in the fair value of the put option included in retained earnings. As
the valuation of this option uses assumptions not observable in the market, it
is categorised as level 3 in the hierarchy. As at 31 December 2023, because it
is unknown when or if ILG will exercise the option, the liability is measured
as if the exercise date is on the last day of the current financial year
considering forecast future performance. The option is sensitive to reasonably
possible changes in assumptions; if the option were to be exercised as at 30
June 2025, the fair value of the liability would decrease by approximately
$37 million.

Included in other financial liabilities, the contingent consideration on
acquisition of businesses represents the present value of payments up to
$507 million, which are expected to be paid over the next eight years.
Contingent considerations linked to certain volume targets at 31 December 2023
included $144 million in respect of the acquisition of Aviation American Gin
and Davos Brands (30 June 2023 - $142 million) and $76 million in respect of
the acquisition of 21Seeds (30 June 2023 - $75 million). Contingent
consideration of $93 million in respect of the acquisition of Don Papa Rum (30
June 2023 - $89 million) is linked to certain financial performance targets.
Contingent considerations are fair valued based on a discounted cash flow
method using assumptions not observable in the market. Contingent
considerations are sensitive to possible changes in assumptions; a 10%
increase or decrease in volume would increase or decrease the fair value of
contingent considerations linked to certain volume targets by approximately
$40 million, and a 10% increase or decrease in cash flows would increase or
decrease the fair value of contingent considerations linked to certain
financial performance targets by approximately $30 million.

There were no significant changes in the measurement and valuation techniques,
or significant transfers between the levels of the financial assets and
liabilities in the six months ended 31 December 2023.

The group's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are
categorised as follows:

                                                                    31 December 2023  30 June 2023  31 December 2022
                                                                    $ million         Re-presented  Re-presented

                                                                                       $ million    $ million
 Derivative assets                                                  703               748           820
 Derivative liabilities                                             (440)             (556)         (663)
 Valuation techniques based on observable market input (Level 2)    263               192           157
 Financial assets - other                                           281               249           208
 Financial liabilities - other                                      (599)             (665)         (690)
 Valuation techniques based on unobservable market input (Level 3)  (318)             (416)         (482)

In the six months ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022, the increase in
financial assets - other of$32 million (2022 - the decrease in financial
asset - other of $17 million) is principally in respect of acquisitions.

The movements in level 3 instruments, measured on a recurring basis, are as
follows:

                                                                Zacapa             Contingent consideration recognised on acquisition of businesses  Zacapa             Contingent consideration recognised on acquisition of businesses

financial
financial

liability
liability
                                                                Six months ended   Six months ended                                                  Six months ended   Six months ended

                                                                31 December 2023   31 December 2023                                                  31 December 2022   31 December 2022
                                                                $ million          $ million                                                         Re-presented       Re-presented

                                                                                                                                                     $ million          $ million
 At the beginning of the period                                 (274)              (391)                                                             (261)              (449)
 Net gains included in the income statement                     8                  15                                                                -                  15
 Net losses included in exchange in other comprehensive income  -                  -                                                                 (1)                -
 Net gains/(losses) included in retained earnings               40                 -                                                                 (5)                -
 Acquisitions                                                   -                  -                                                                 -                  (5)
 Settlement of liabilities                                      2                  1                                                                 7                  9
 At the end of the period                                       (224)              (375)                                                             (260)              (430)

 

The carrying amount of the group's financial assets and liabilities is
generally the same as their fair value apart from borrowings. At 31 December
2023, the fair value of gross borrowings (excluding lease liabilities and the
fair value of derivative instruments) was $21,001 million and the carrying
value was $21,480 million (30 June 2023 - $19,707 million and
$20,791 million, respectively).

 

 10. Dividends and other reserves

                                                                                Six months ended   Six months ended

                                                                                31 December 2023   31 December 2022
                                                                                $ million          Re-presented

                                                                                                    $ million
 Amounts recognised as distributions to equity shareholders
 Final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2023 of 59.98 cents per share (2022  1,349              1,200
 - 52.71 cents)((1))

(1)Re-presented at declaration date's rate.

An interim dividend of 40.50 cents per share (2022 - 38.57 cents) was approved
by a duly authorised committee of the Board of Directors on 29 January 2024.
As the approval was after the balance sheet date, it was not included as a
liability. The change in functional currency from sterling to US dollars does
not significantly impact Diageo plc's retained earnings that are available for
the payment of dividends or purchases of own shares.

Other reserves of $502 million at 31 December 2023 (2022 - $560 million)
include a capital redemption reserve of $4,076 million (2022 -
$3,869 million), a hedging reserve surplus of $270 million (2022-
$115 million surplus) and an exchange reserve deficit of $3,844 million
(2022 - $3,424 million deficit). Out of the total hedging reserves $60
million represents the cost of hedging arising from cross currency interest
rate swaps in net investment hedges.

 

11. Sale of businesses and brands

Cash consideration received and net assets disposed of in respect of sale of
businesses and brands in the six months ended 31 December 2023 were as
follows:

                                                            Windsor business  Other      Total
                                                            $ million         $ million  $ million
 Sale consideration
 Cash received in the period                                37                4          41
 Cash disposed of                                           (20)              -          (20)
 Transaction and other directly attributable costs paid     -                 (3)        (3)
 Net cash received                                          17                1          18
 Deferred consideration receivable                          107               -          107
 Transaction and other directly attributable costs payable  (12)              (8)        (20)
                                                            112               (7)        105
 Net assets disposed of
 Brands                                                     (167)             -          (167)
 Other non-current assets                                   (3)               -          (3)
 Inventories                                                (11)              -          (11)
 Other working capital                                      3                 -          3
 Corporate tax                                              2                 -          2
 Deferred tax                                               37                -          37
                                                            (139)             -          (139)
 Exchange recycled from other comprehensive income          (26)              -          (26)
 Loss on disposal before taxation                           (53)              (7)        (60)
 Taxation                                                   (1)               -          (1)
 Loss on disposal after taxation                            (54)              (7)        (61)

On 30 September 2022, Diageo announced the completion of the sale of Popular
brands of its USL business. Payment of $4 million of the purchase price that
was subject to administrative actions within 12 months and considered
uncertain at the time of the transaction, was made to Diageo in the six months
ended 31 December 2023.

On 26 May 2023, Diageo completed the sale of Guinness Cameroun S.A., its
brewery in Cameroon, to Castel Group. In the six months ended 31 December
2023, $11 million costs directly attributable to the disposal have been
accounted for.

On 27 October 2023, Diageo completed the sale of Windsor Global Co., Ltd. to
PT W Co., Ltd., a Korean company sponsored by Pine Tree Investment &
Management Co., Ltd. for a total consideration of KRW 206 billion
($152 million). The transaction resulted in a loss of $53 million in the six
months ended 31 December 2023, which was recognised as a non-operating item
attributable to the sale, including cumulative translation losses in the
amount of $26 million recycled to the income statement. Deferred
consideration of KRW 102 billion ($75 million) was received after balance
sheet closing date, on 25 January 2024.

 

12. Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings

(a) Guarantees and related matters

As of 31 December 2023, the group has no material unprovided guarantees or
indemnities in respect of liabilities of third parties.

(b) Acquisition of USL shares from UBHL and related proceedings in relation to
the USL transaction

On 4 July 2013, Diageo completed its acquisition, under a share purchase
agreement with United Breweries (Holdings) Limited (UBHL) and various other
sellers (the SPA), of shares representing 14.98% in USL, including shares
representing 6.98% from UBHL. The SPA was signed on 9 November 2012 as part of
the transaction announced by Diageo in relation to USL on that day (the
Original USL Transaction). Following a series of further transactions, as of
31 December 2023, Diageo has a 55.88% investment in USL (excluding 2.38% owned
by the USL Benefit Trust).

Prior to the acquisition from UBHL on 4 July 2013, the High Court of Karnataka
(High Court) had granted leave to UBHL under the Indian Companies Act 1956
(the Leave Order) to enable the sale by UBHL to Diageo to take place (the UBHL
Share Sale) notwithstanding the continued existence of certain winding-up
petitions that were pending against UBHL on the date of the SPA. At the time
of the completion of the UBHL Share Sale, the Leave Order remained subject to
review on appeal. However, as stated by Diageo at the time of closing, it was
considered unlikely that any appeal process in respect of the Leave Order
would definitively conclude on a timely basis and, accordingly, Diageo waived
the conditionality under the SPA relating to the absence of insolvency
proceedings in relation to UBHL and acquired the 6.98% stake in USL from UBHL
at that time.

Following appeal and counter-appeal in respect of the Leave Order, this matter
is now before the Supreme Court of India which has issued an order that the
status quo be maintained with regard to the UBHL Share Sale pending a hearing
on the matter before it. Following a number of adjournments, the next date for
a substantive hearing is yet to be fixed.

In separate proceedings, the High Court passed a winding-up order against UBHL
on 7 February 2017, and appeals filed by UBHL against that order have since
been dismissed, initially by a division bench of the High Court and
subsequently by the Supreme Court of India.

Diageo continues to believe that the acquisition price of INR 1,440 per share
paid to UBHL for the USL shares is fair and reasonable as regards UBHL, UBHL's
shareholders and UBHL's secured and unsecured creditors. However, adverse
results for Diageo in the proceedings referred to above could, absent leave or
relief in other proceedings, ultimately result in Diageo losing title to the
6.98% stake in USL acquired from UBHL. Diageo believes, including by reason of
its rights under USL's articles of association to nominate USL's CEO and CFO
and the right to appoint, through USL, a majority of the directors on the
boards of USL's subsidiaries as well as its ability as promoter to nominate
for appointment up to two-thirds of USL's directors for so long as the
chairperson of USL is an independent director, that it would remain in control
of USL and would continue to be able to consolidate USL as a subsidiary for
accounting purposes regardless of the outcome of this litigation.

There can be no certainty as to the outcome of the existing or any further
related legal proceedings or the time frame within which they would be
concluded.

(c) Continuing matters relating to Dr Vijay Mallya and affiliates

On 25 February 2016, Diageo and USL each announced that they had entered into
arrangements with Dr Mallya under which he had agreed to resign from his
position as a director and as chairman of USL and from his positions in USL's
subsidiaries.

Diageo's agreement with Dr Mallya (the February 2016 Agreement) provided for a
payment of $75 million to Dr Mallya over a five-year period of which
$40 million was paid on signing of the February 2016 Agreement with the
balance being payable in equal instalments of $7 million a year over five
years (2017-2021). All payments were subject to and conditional on Dr Mallya's
compliance with the agreement. The February 2016 Agreement also provided for
the release of Dr Mallya's personal obligations to indemnify Diageo Holdings
Netherlands B.V. (DHN) in respect of its earlier liability ($141 million)
under a backstop guarantee of certain borrowings of Watson Limited (Watson) (a
company affiliated with Dr Mallya).

On account of various breaches and other provisions of agreements between Dr
Mallya and persons connected with him and Diageo and/or USL, Diageo did not
make the five instalment payments due during the five-year period between 2017
and 2021. In addition, Diageo has also demanded that Dr Mallya repay the $40
million paid by Diageo in February 2016 and sought compensation for various
losses incurred by the relevant members of the Diageo group.

On 16 November 2017, Diageo and other relevant members of the Diageo group
commenced claims in the High Court of Justice in England and Wales (the
English High Court) against Dr Mallya in relation to these matters. At the
same time DHN also commenced claims in the English High Court against Dr
Mallya, his son Sidhartha Mallya, Watson and Continental Administration
Services Limited (CASL) (a company affiliated with Dr Mallya and understood to
hold assets on trust for him and certain persons affiliated with him) for in
excess of $142 million (plus interest) in relation to Watson's liability to
DHN in respect of its borrowings referred to above and the breach of
associated security documents. Dr Mallya, Sidhartha Mallya and the relevant
affiliated companies filed a defence to these claims, and Dr Mallya also filed
a counterclaim for payment of the two instalment payments that had by that
time been withheld as described above.

Diageo continues to prosecute its claims and to defend the counterclaim. As
part of these proceedings, Diageo and the other relevant members of its group
filed an application for strike out and/or summary judgement in respect of
certain aspects of the defence filed by Dr Mallya and the other defendants,
including their defence in relation to Watson and CASL's liability to repay
DHN. The application was successful resulting in Watson being ordered to pay
approximately $135 million plus various amounts in respect of interest to DHN,
with CASL being held liable as co-surety for 50% of any such amount unpaid by
Watson. These amounts were, contrary to the relevant orders, not paid by the
relevant deadlines and Watson and CASL's remaining defences in the proceedings
were struck out. Diageo and DHN have accordingly sought asset disclosure and
are considering further enforcement steps against Watson and CASL, both in the
United Kingdom and in other jurisdictions where they are present or hold
assets.

A trial of the remaining elements of these claims was due to commence on 21
November 2022. However, on 26 July 2021 Dr Mallya was declared bankrupt by the
English High Court pursuant to a bankruptcy petition presented by a consortium
of Indian banks. Diageo and the relevant members of its group have informed
the Trustee in Bankruptcy of their position as creditors in the bankruptcy and
have engaged with the Trustee regarding their claims and the status of the
current proceedings. An appeal by Dr Mallya against his bankruptcy (and an
appeal by the bank consortium against orders made in the course of the
bankruptcy proceedings) are pending. In light of the uncertainty posed by the
ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, the trial of Diageo's claim was initially
relisted to take place in February 2024. However, Dr Mallya's appeal against
his bankruptcy and the banks' cross appeal is not expected to be heard until
April 2024. Accordingly, the Court has rescheduled the trial of Diageo's claim
for March 2025.

At this stage, it is not possible to assess the extent to which the various
ongoing proceedings related to the bankruptcy will affect the remaining
elements of the claims by Diageo and the relevant members of its group.

Upon completion of an initial inquiry in April 2015 into past improper
transactions which identified references to certain additional parties and
matters, USL carried out an additional inquiry into these transactions
(Additional Inquiry) which was completed in July 2016. The Additional Inquiry,
prima facie, identified transactions indicating actual and potential diversion
of funds from USL and its Indian and overseas subsidiaries to, in most cases,
entities that appeared to be affiliated or associated with Dr Mallya. All
amounts identified in the Additional Inquiry have been provided for or
expensed in the financial statements of USL or its subsidiaries in the
respective prior periods. USL has filed recovery suits against relevant
parties identified pursuant to the Additional Inquiry. Further, at this stage,
it is not possible for the management of USL to estimate the financial impact
on USL, if any, arising out of potential non-compliance with applicable laws
in relation to such fund diversions.

(d) Other matters in relation to USL

In respect of the Watson backstop guarantee arrangements, the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a notice to Diageo on 16 June 2016 that
if there is any net liability incurred by Diageo (after any recovery under
relevant security or other arrangements, which matters remain pending) on
account of the Watson backstop guarantee, such liability, if any, would be
considered to be part of the price paid for the acquisition of USL shares
under the SPA which formed part of the Original USL Transaction and that, in
that case, additional equivalent payments would be required to be made to
those shareholders (representing 0.04% of the shares in USL) who tendered in
the open offer made as part of the Original USL Transaction. Diageo believes
that the Watson backstop guarantee arrangements were not part of the price
paid or agreed to be paid for any USL shares under the Original USL
Transaction and that therefore SEBI's decision was not consistent with
applicable law, and Diageo appealed against it before the Securities Appellate
Tribunal, Mumbai (SAT). On 1 November 2017, SAT issued an order in respect of
Diageo's appeal in which, amongst other things, it observed that the relevant
officer at SEBI had neither considered Diageo's earlier reply nor provided
Diageo with an opportunity to be heard, and accordingly directed SEBI to pass
a fresh order after giving Diageo an opportunity to be heard. Following SAT's
order, Diageo made its further submissions in the matter, including at a
personal hearing before a Deputy General Manager of SEBI. On 26 June 2019,
SEBI issued an order reiterating the directions contained in its previous
notice dated 16 June 2016. As with the previous SEBI notice, Diageo believes
that SEBI's latest order is not consistent with applicable law. Diageo
appealed against this order before SAT and, after a hearing in March 2023, SAT
allowed Diageo's appeal on 26 July 2023. Accordingly, SEBI's order dated 26
June 2019 stands quashed. Under applicable law, SEBI has filed an appeal
against SAT's order before the Supreme Court of India. However, there can be
no certainty as to its outcome or the timeframe within which any such appeal
would be concluded.

(e) USL's dispute with IDBI Bank Limited

Prior to the acquisition by Diageo of a controlling interest in USL, USL had
prepaid a term loan of INR 6,280 million ($76 million) taken through IDBI Bank
Limited (IDBI), an Indian bank, which was secured on certain fixed assets and
brands of USL, as well as by a pledge of certain shares in USL held by the USL
Benefit Trust (of which USL is the sole beneficiary). The maturity date of the
loan was 31 March 2015. IDBI disputed the prepayment, following which USL
filed a writ petition in November 2013 before the High Court of Karnataka (the
High Court) challenging the bank's actions.

Following the original maturity date of the loan, USL received notices from
IDBI seeking to recall the loan, demanding a further sum of INR 459 million
($6 million) on account of the outstanding principal, accrued interest and
other amounts, and also threatening to enforce the security in the event that
USL did not make these further payments. Pursuant to an application filed by
USL before the High Court in the writ proceedings, the High Court directed
that, subject to USL depositing such further amount with the bank (which
amount was duly deposited by USL), the bank should hold the amount in a
suspense account and not deal with any of the secured assets including the
shares until disposal of the original writ petition filed by USL before the
High Court.

On 27 June 2019, a single judge bench of the High Court issued an order
dismissing the writ petition filed by USL, amongst other things, on the basis
that the matter involved an issue of breach of contract by USL and was
therefore not maintainable in exercise of the court's writ jurisdiction. USL
filed an appeal against this order before a division bench of the High Court,
which on 30 July 2019 issued an interim order directing the bank to not deal
with any of the secured assets until the next date of hearing. On 13 January
2020, the division bench of the High Court admitted the writ appeal and
extended the interim stay. This appeal is currently pending. Based on the
assessment of USL's management supported by external legal opinions, USL
continues to believe that it has a strong case on the merits and therefore
continues to believe that the secured assets will be released to USL and the
aforesaid amount of INR 459 million ($6 million) remains recoverable from
IDBI.

(f) Tax

The international tax environment has seen increased scrutiny and rapid change
over recent years bringing with it greater uncertainty for multinationals.
Against this backdrop, Diageo has been monitoring developments and continues
to engage transparently with the tax authorities in the countries where Diageo
operates to ensure that the group manages its arrangements on a sustainable
basis.

The group operates in a large number of markets with complex tax and
legislative regimes that are open to subjective interpretation. In the context
of these operations, it is possible that tax exposures which have not yet
materialised (including those which could arise as a result of tax
assessments) may result in losses to the group. In the circumstances where tax
authorities have raised assessments, challenging interpretations which may
lead to a possible material outflow, these have been included as contingent
liabilities. Where the potential tax exposures are known to us and have not
been assessed, the group considers disclosure of such matters taking into
account their size and nature, relevant regulatory requirements and potential
prejudice of the future resolution or assessment thereof.

Diageo has a large number of ongoing tax cases in Brazil and India. Since
assessing an accurate value of contingent liabilities in these markets
requires a high degree of judgement, contingent liabilities are disclosed on
the basis of the current known possible exposure from tax assessment values.
While not all of these cases are individually significant, the current
aggregate known possible exposure from tax assessment values is up to
approximately $934 million for Brazil and up to approximately $115 million
for India. The group believes that the likelihood that the tax authorities
will ultimately prevail is lower than probable but higher than remote. Due to
the fiscal environment in Brazil and in India, the possibility of further tax
assessments related to the same matters cannot be ruled out and the judicial
processes may take extended periods to conclude. Based on its current
assessment, Diageo believes that no provision is required in respect of these
issues.

Payments were made under protest in India in respect of the periods 1 April
2006 to 31 March 2019 in relation to tax assessments where the risk is
considered to be remote or possible. These payments have to be made in order
to be able to challenge the assessments and as such have been recognised as a
receivable in the group's balance sheet. The total amount of payments under
protest recognised as a receivable as at 31 December 2023 is $149 million
(corporate tax payments of $137 million and indirect tax payments of
$12 million).

(g) Other

The group has extensive international operations and routinely makes
judgements on a range of legal, customs and tax matters which are incidental
to the group's operations. Some of these judgements are or may become the
subject of challenges and involve proceedings, the outcome of which cannot be
foreseen. In particular, the group is currently a defendant in various customs
proceedings that challenge the declared customs value of products imported by
certain Diageo companies. Diageo continues to defend its position vigorously
in these proceedings.

Save as disclosed above, neither Diageo, nor any member of the Diageo group,
is or has been engaged in, nor (so far as Diageo is aware) is there pending or
threatened by or against it, any legal or arbitration proceedings which may
have a significant effect on the financial position of the Diageo group.

 

13. Related party transactions

The group's significant related parties are its associates, joint ventures,
key management personnel and post employment benefit plans.

There were no transactions with these related parties during the six months
ended 31 December 2023 on terms other than those that prevail in arm's length
transactions.

 

14. Post balance sheet events

On 16 January 2024, Diageo agreed with Combs Wine and Spirits LLC to purchase
the 50% of the share capital of DeLeon Holdco LLC that Diageo North America,
Inc did not already own, for a total consideration of approximately
$200 million. In connection with this acquisition, the previously outstanding
disputes between the shareholders were resolved and Diageo is now the 100%
owner of the DeLeón brand.

 

Independent review report to Diageo plc

Report on the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

Our conclusion

We have reviewed Diageo plc's condensed consolidated interim financial
statements (the "interim financial statements") in the interim results of
Diageo plc for the six months ended 31 December 2023 (the "period").

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to
believe that the interim financial statements are not prepared, in all
material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting
Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
('IASB'),  and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of
the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

The interim financial statements comprise:

•     the Condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2023;

•     the Condensed consolidated income statement and condensed
consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period then ended;

•     the Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the period
then ended;

•     the Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the
period then ended; and

•     the explanatory notes to the interim financial statements.

The interim financial statements included in the interim results of Diageo plc
have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting
Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
('IASB'),  and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of
the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review
Engagements (UK) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by
the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Financial Reporting
Council for use in the United Kingdom ("ISRE (UK) 2410"). A review of interim
financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons
responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and
other review procedures.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and, consequently, does not
enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant
matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express
an audit opinion.

We have read the other information contained in the interim results and
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the information in the interim financial statements.

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed
in an audit as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report,
nothing has come to our attention to suggest that the directors have
inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that the
directors have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern
that are not appropriately disclosed. This conclusion is based on the review
procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410. However, future events
or conditions may cause the group to cease to continue as a going concern.

Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the review

Our responsibilities and those of the directors

The interim results, including the interim financial statements, is the
responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are
responsible for preparing the interim results in accordance with the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's
Financial Conduct Authority. In preparing the interim results, including the
interim financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the
group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable,
matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or to
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim financial
statements in the interim results based on our review. Our conclusion,
including our Conclusions relating to going concern, is based on procedures
that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for
conclusion paragraph of this report. This report, including the conclusion,
has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying
with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in
giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose
or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may
come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

29 January 2024

 

a.    The maintenance and integrity of the Diageo plc website is the
responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not
involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept
no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim
financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

b.    Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other
jurisdictions.

 

Additional information

Explanatory notes

Comparisons are to the six months ended 31 December 2022 (2022) unless
otherwise stated. Unless otherwise stated, percentage movements given
throughout this document for volume, sales, net sales, marketing spend,
operating profit and operating margin are organic movements after
retranslating current period reported numbers at prior period exchange rates
and after adjusting for the effect of exceptional operating items and
acquisitions and disposals, excluding fair value remeasurements.

This document includes names of Diageo's products which constitute trademarks
or trade names which Diageo owns or which others own and license to Diageo for
use.

Definitions and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures

Diageo's strategic planning process is based on certain non-GAAP measures,
including organic movements. These non-GAAP measures are chosen for planning
and reporting, and some of them are used for incentive purposes. The group's
management believes that these measures provide valuable additional
information for users of the financial statements in understanding the group's
performance. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed as complementary to, and
not replacements for, the comparable GAAP measures and reported movements
therein.

It is not possible to reconcile the forecast tax rate before exceptional
items, forecast organic net sales growth and forecast organic operating profit
growth to the most comparable GAAP measure as it is not possible to predict,
without unreasonable effort, with reasonable certainty, the future impact of
changes in exchange rates, acquisitions and disposals and potential
exceptional items.

 

Volume

Volume is a performance indicator that is measured on an equivalent units
basis to nine-litre cases of spirits. An equivalent unit represents one
nine-litre case of spirits, which is approximately 272 servings. A serving
comprises 33ml of spirits, 165ml of wine, or 330ml of ready to drink or beer.
Therefore, to convert volume of products other than spirits to equivalent
units, the following guide has been used: beer in hectolitres, divide by 0.9;
wine in nine-litre cases, divide by five; ready to drink and certain pre-mixed
products that are classified as ready to drink in nine-litre cases, divide by
ten.

Organic movements

Organic information is presented using US dollar amounts on a constant
currency basis excluding the impact of exceptional items, certain fair value
remeasurement, hyperinflation and acquisitions and disposals. Organic measures
enable users to focus on the performance of the business which is common to
both years and which represents those measures that local managers are most
directly able to influence.

Calculation of organic movements

The organic movement percentage is the amount in the row titled 'Organic
movement' in the tables below, expressed as a percentage of the relevant
absolute amount in the row titled 'Six months ended 31 December 2022
adjusted'. Organic operating margin is calculated by dividing operating profit
before exceptional items by net sales after excluding the impact of exchange
rate movements, certain fair value remeasurements, hyperinflation and
acquisitions and disposals.

(a) Exchange rates

Exchange in the organic movement calculation reflects the adjustment to
recalculate the reported results as if they had been generated at the prior
period weighted average exchange rates.

Exchange impacts in respect of the external hedging of intergroup sales by the
markets in a currency other than their functional currency and the intergroup
recharging of services are also translated at prior period weighted average
exchange rates and are allocated to the geographical segment to which they
relate. Residual exchange impacts are reported as part of the Corporate
segment. Results from hyperinflationary economies are translated at
forward-looking rates.

(b) Acquisitions and disposals

For acquisitions in the current period, the post-acquisition results are
excluded from the organic movement calculations. For acquisitions in the prior
period, post-acquisition results are included in full in the prior period but
are included in the organic movement calculation from the anniversary of the
acquisition date in the current period. The acquisition row also eliminates
the impact of transaction costs that have been charged to operating profit in
the current or prior period in respect of acquisitions that, in management's
judgement, are expected to be completed.

Where a business, brand, brand distribution right or agency agreement was
disposed of or terminated in the reporting period, the group, in the organic
movement calculations, excludes the results for that business from the current
and prior period. In the calculation of operating profit, the overheads
included in disposals are only those directly attributable to the businesses
disposed of, and do not result from subjective judgements of management.

(c) Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those that in management's judgement need to be
disclosed separately. Such items are included within the income statement
caption to which they relate, and are excluded from the organic movement
calculations. Management believes that separate disclosure of exceptional
items and the classification between operating and non-operating items further
helps investors to understand the performance of the group. Changes in
estimates and reversals in relation to items previously recognised as
exceptional are presented consistently as exceptional in the current year.

Exceptional operating items are those that are considered to be material and
unusual or non-recurring in nature and are part of the operating activities of
the group, such as one-off global restructuring programmes which can be
multi-year, impairment of intangible assets and fixed assets, indirect tax
settlements, property disposals and changes in post employment plans.

Gains and losses on the sale or directly attributable to a prospective sale of
businesses, brands or distribution rights, step up gains and losses that arise
when an investment becomes an associate or an associate becomes a subsidiary
and other material, unusual non-recurring items that are not in respect of the
production, marketing and distribution of premium drinks, are disclosed as
exceptional non-operating items below operating profit in the income
statement.

Exceptional current and deferred tax items comprise material and unusual or
non-recurring items that impact taxation. Examples include direct tax
provisions and settlements in respect of prior years and the remeasurement of
deferred tax assets and liabilities following tax rate changes.

(d) Fair value remeasurement

Fair value remeasurement in the organic movement calculation reflects an
adjustment to eliminate the impact of fair value changes in biological assets,
earn-out arrangements that are accounted for as remuneration and fair value
changes relating to contingent consideration liabilities and equity options
that arose on acquisitions recognised in the income statement.

Adjustment in respect of hyperinflation

The group's experience is that hyperinflationary conditions result in price
increases that include both normal pricing actions reflecting changes in
demand, commodity and other input costs or considerations to drive commercial
competitiveness, as well as hyperinflationary elements and that for the
calculation of organic movements, the distortion from hyperinflationary
elements should be excluded.

Cumulative inflation over 100% (2% per month compounded) over three years is
one of the key indicators within IAS 29 to assess whether an economy is deemed
to be hyperinflationary. As a result, the definition of 'Organic movements'
includes price growth in markets deemed to be hyperinflationary economies, up
to a maximum of 2% per month while also being on a constant currency basis.
Corresponding adjustments have been made to all income statement related lines
in the organic movement calculations.

In the tables presenting the calculation of organic movements,
'hyperinflation' is included as a reconciling item between reported and
organic movements and that also includes the relevant IAS 29 adjustments.

 

Organic movement calculations for the six months ended 31 December 2023 were
as follows:

                                             North America  Europe    Asia      Latin America   Africa    Corporate  Total

                                             million        million   Pacific   and Caribbean   million   million    million

                                                                      million   million
 Volume (equivalent units)
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 reported  27.0           29.2      47.1      15.8            17.7      -          136.8
 Disposals((2))                              -              -         (6.1)     -               (0.7)     -          (6.8)
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 adjusted  27.0           29.2      41.0      15.8            17.0      -          130.0
 Organic movement                            (0.8)          (1.1)     (0.8)     (3.0)           (1.1)     -          (6.8)
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))             0.1            0.2       -         -               1.1       -          1.4
 Six months ended 31 December 2023 reported  26.3           28.3      40.2      12.8            17.0      -          124.6
 Organic movement %                          (3)            (4)       (2)       (19)            (6)       -          (5)

 

 

                                                            North America  Europe      Asia        Latin America   Africa      Corporate   Total

                                                            $ million      $ million   Pacific     and Caribbean   $ million   $ million   $ million

                                                                                       $ million   $ million
 Sales
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 reported (re-presented)  4,540          4,055       3,741       1,646           1,578       51          15,611
 Exchange                                                   (2)            (80)        17          26              (26)        1           (64)
 Disposals((2))                                             -              (7)         (333)       -               (110)       -           (450)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              (45)        -           -               -           -           (45)
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 adjusted                 4,538          3,923       3,425       1,672           1,442       52          15,052
 Organic movement                                           (128)          311         188         (328)           100         9           152
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))                            3              25          29          -               65          -           122
 Exchange                                                   (2)            (50)        (78)        98              (259)       2           (289)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              140         -           -               4           -           144
 Six months ended 31 December 2023 reported                 4,411          4,349       3,564       1,442           1,352       63          15,181
 Organic movement %                                         (3)            8           5           (20)            7           17          1

 

                                                            North America  Europe      Asia        Latin America   Africa      Corporate   Total

                                                            $ million      $ million   Pacific     and Caribbean   $ million   $ million   $ million

                                                                                       $ million   $ million
 Net sales
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 reported (re-presented)  4,149          2,339       2,169       1,299           1,113       51          11,120
 Exchange                                                   (1)            (6)         27          21              (18)        1           24
 Disposals((2))                                             -              (5)         (89)        -               (73)        -           (167)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              (16)        -           -               -           -           (16)
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 adjusted                 4,148          2,312       2,107       1,320           1,022       52          10,961
 Organic movement                                           (64)           78          125         (310)           95          9           (67)
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))                            2              25          24          -               65          -           116
 Exchange                                                   (2)            11          (50)        59              (211)       2           (191)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              139         -           -               4           -           143
 Six months ended 31 December 2023 reported                 4,084          2,565       2,206       1,069           975         63          10,962
 Organic movement %                                         (2)            3           6           (23)            9           17          (1)

 

                                                            North America  Europe      Asia        Latin America   Africa      Corporate   Total

                                                            $ million      $ million   Pacific     and Caribbean   $ million   $ million   $ million

                                                                                       $ million   $ million
 Marketing
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 reported (re-presented)  767            387         356         209             133         9           1,861
 Exchange                                                   (2)            3           3           2               (5)         2           3
 Reclassification                                           -              -           -           -               (7)         -           (7)
 Disposals((2))                                             -              -           (8)         -               (3)         -           (11)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              (2)         -           -               -           -           (2)
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 adjusted                 765            388         351         211             118         11          1,844
 Organic movement                                           12             35          53          (40)            7           3           70
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))                            4              16          5           -               1           -           26
 Exchange                                                   1              4           (3)         13              (20)        1           (4)
 Hyperinflation                                             -              16          -           -               -           -           16
 Six months ended 31 December 2023 reported                 782            459         406         184             106         15          1,952
 Organic movement %                                         2              9           15          (19)            6           27          4

 

                                                                           North America  Europe      Asia        Latin America   Africa      Corporate   Total

                                                                           $ million      $ million   Pacific     and Caribbean   $ million   $ million   $ million

                                                                                                      $ million   $ million
 Operating profit before exceptional items
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 reported (re-presented)                 1,690          820         704         538             215         (197)       3,770
 Exchange((1))                                                             13             (12)        22          31              27          13          94
 Fair value remeasurement of contingent considerations, equity option and  (18)           -           -           -               -           -           (18)
 earn-out arrangements
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))                                           1              (3)         (21)        -               (18)        -           (41)
 Hyperinflation                                                            -              9           -           -               -           -           9
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 adjusted                                1,686          814         705         569             224         (184)       3,814
 Organic movement                                                          (21)           (34)        23          (234)           21          40          (205)
 Acquisitions and disposals((2))                                           (12)           (6)         7           -               15          -           4
 Fair value remeasurement of contingent considerations, equity option and  23             -           -           -               -           -           23
 earn-out arrangements
 Fair value remeasurement of biological assets                             -              -           -           (24)            -           -           (24)
 Exchange((1))                                                             49             25          (46)        5               (120)       (3)         (90)
 Hyperinflation                                                            -              (2)         -           -               (10)        -           (12)
 Six months ended 31 December 2023 reported                                1,725          797         689         316             130         (147)       3,510
 Organic movement %                                                        (1)            (4)         3           (41)            9           22          (5)

 Organic operating margin % ((3))
 Six months ended 31 December 2023                                         40.8           32.6        32.6        33.2            21.9        n/a         33.1
 Six months ended 31 December 2022                                         40.6           35.2        33.5        43.1            21.9        n/a         34.8
 Organic operating margin movement (bps)                                   12             (257)       (84)        (994)           2           n/a         (167)

 

(1)The impact of movements in exchange rates on reported figures for operating
profit was principally in respect of the favourable exchange impact of the
strengthening of the Mexican peso and sterling against the US dollar,
partially offset by the weakening of the Nigerian naira, Kenyan shilling and
the Turkish lira.

(2)Acquisitions and disposals that had an effect on organic volume, sales, net
sales, marketing and operating profit growth in the six months ended 31
December 2023, are detailed on page 48.

(3)Organic operating margin calculated by dividing Operating profit before
exceptional items by net sales.

 

(i)For the reconciliation of sales to net sales, see page 20.

(ii)Percentages and margin movements are calculated on rounded figures.

 

In the six months ended 31 December 2023, the acquisitions and disposals that
affected volume, sales, net sales, marketing and operating profit were as
follows, as per footnote (2) on the previous page:

                                                   Volume  Sales      Net sales  Marketing  Operating

                                                                                            profit
                                                   EUm     $ million  $ million  $ million  $ million
 Six months ended 31 December 2022 (re-presented)
 Acquisitions
 Lone River Ranch Water                            -       -          -          -          1
                                                   -       -          -          -          1
 Disposals
 USL Popular brands                                (5.9)   (276)      (43)       -          (6)
 Archers brand                                     -       (7)        (5)        -          (3)
 Windsor                                           (0.2)   (57)       (46)       (8)        (15)
 Guinness Cameroun S.A.                            (0.7)   (110)      (73)       (3)        (18)
                                                   (6.8)   (450)      (167)      (11)       (42)

 Acquisitions and disposals                        (6.8)   (450)      (167)      (11)       (41)

 Six months ended 31 December 2023
 Acquisitions
 Mr Black                                          0.1     3          2          1          (4)
 Balcones Distilling                               -       -          -          3          (8)
 Gordon's                                          0.5     52         52         1          5
 Don Papa Rum                                      0.2     25         25         16         (6)
                                                   0.8     80         79         21         (13)
 Disposals
 Windsor                                           -       29         24         5          7
 Guinness Cameroun S.A.                            0.6     13         13         -          10
                                                   0.6     42         37         5          17

 Acquisitions and disposals                        1.4     122        116        26         4

 

Earnings per share before exceptional items

Earnings per share before exceptional items is calculated by dividing profit
attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company before exceptional
items by the weighted average number of shares in issue.

Earnings per share before exceptional items for the six months ended 31
December 2023 and 31 December 2022 are set out in the table below:

                                                                          2023       2022
                                                                          $ million  Re-presented

                                                                                      $ million
 Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company         2,210      2,709
 Exceptional operating and non-operating items                            253        20
 Exceptional tax items and tax in respect of exceptional operating and    (42)       (84)
 non-operating items
 Exceptional items attributable to non-controlling interests              2          1
 Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company before  2,423      2,646
 exceptional items

 Weighted average number of shares                                        million    million
 Shares in issue excluding own shares                                     2,242      2,274
 Dilutive potential ordinary shares                                       5          7
 Diluted shares in issue excluding own shares                             2,247      2,281

                                                                          cents      Re-presented

                                                                                      cents
 Basic earnings per share before exceptional items                        108.1      116.4
 Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items                      107.8      116.0

 

Free cash flow

Free cash flow comprises the net cash flow from operating activities
aggregated with the net cash received/paid for working capital loans
receivable, cash paid or received for investments and the net cash expenditure
paid for property, plant and equipment and computer software that are included
in net cash flow from investing activities.

The remaining components of net cash flow from investing activities that do
not form part of free cash flow, as defined by the group's management, are in
respect of the acquisition and sale of businesses and non-working capital
loans to and from associates.

The group's management regards a portion of the purchase and disposal of
property, plant and equipment and computer software as ultimately
non-discretionary since ongoing investment in plant, machinery and technology
is required to support the day-to-day operations, whereas acquisition and sale
of businesses are discretionary.

Where appropriate, separate explanations are given for the impacts of
acquisition and sale of businesses, dividends paid and the purchase of own
shares, each of which arises from decisions that are independent from the
running of the ongoing underlying business.

Free cash flow reconciliations for the six months ended 31 December 2023 and
31 December 2022 are set out in the table below:

                                                                  2023       2022
                                                                  $ million  Re-presented

                                                                             $ million
 Net cash inflow from operating activities                        2,146      1,472
 Disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software  7          8
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment and computer software  (582)      (514)
 Movements in loans and other investments                         (109)      (2)
 Free cash flow                                                   1,462      964

 

Adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA

Diageo manages its capital structure with the aim of achieving capital
efficiency, providing flexibility to invest through the economic cycle and
giving efficient access to debt markets at attractive cost levels. The group
regularly assesses its debt and equity capital levels to enhance its capital
structure by reviewing the ratio of adjusted net borrowings (net borrowings
aggregated with post employment benefit liabilities before tax) to adjusted
EBITDA (earnings before exceptional operating items, non-operating items,
interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment).

Calculations for the ratio of adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA for
the six months ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022 are set out in the
table below:

                                                                               2023       2022
                                                                               $ million  Re-presented

                                                                                          $ million
 Borrowings due within one year                                                2,004      2,767
 Borrowings due after one year                                                 19,476     18,365
 Fair value of foreign currency derivatives and interest rate hedging          (40)       (136)
 instruments
 Lease liabilities                                                             572        526
 Less: Cash and cash equivalents                                               (1,529)    (3,319)
 Net borrowings                                                                20,483     18,203
 Post employment benefit liabilities before tax                                471        457
 Adjusted net borrowings                                                       20,954     18,660

 Profit for the year                                                           3,980      4,412
 Taxation                                                                      1,134      1,302
 Net finance charges                                                           798        656
 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment (excluding exceptional impairment)  648        631
 Exceptional impairment                                                        728        409
 EBITDA((1))                                                                   7,288      7,410
 Exceptional operating items (excluding impairment)                            192        107
 Non-operating items                                                           (285)      27
 Adjusted EBITDA((1))                                                          7,195      7,544
 Adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA                                    2.9        2.5

(1) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are calculated based on the last 12 months.

 

Tax rate before exceptional items

Tax rate before exceptional items is calculated by dividing the total tax
charge before tax charges and credits in respect of exceptional items, by
profit before taxation adjusted to exclude the impact of exceptional operating
and non-operating items, expressed as a percentage. The measure is used by
management to assess the rate of tax applied to the group's operations before
tax on exceptional items.

The tax rates from operations before exceptional and after exceptional items
for the six months ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022 are set out in
the table below:

                                                   2023       2022
                                                   $ million  Re-presented

                                                              $ million

 Taxation on profit (a)                            737        766
 Tax in respect of exceptional items               42         16
 Exceptional tax credit                            -          68
 Tax before exceptional items (b)                  779        850

 Profit before taxation (c)                        3,079      3,607
 Non-operating items                               60         (19)
 Exceptional operating items                       193        39
 Profit before taxation and exceptional items (d)  3,332      3,627

 Tax rate after exceptional items (a/c)            23.9%      21.2%
 Tax rate before exceptional items (b/d)           23.4%      23.4%

 

Other definitions

Volume share is a brand's retail volume expressed as a percentage of the
retail volume of all brands in its segment. Value share is a brand's retail
sales value expressed as a percentage of the retail sales value of all brands
in its segment. Unless otherwise stated, share refers to value share.

Net sales are sales less excise duties. Diageo incurs excise duties throughout
the world. In the majority of countries, excise duties are effectively a
production tax which becomes payable when the product is removed from bonded
premises and is not directly related to the value of sales. It is generally
not included as a separate item on external invoices; increases in excise
duties are not always passed on to the customer and where a customer fails to
pay for a product received, the group cannot reclaim the excise duty. The
group therefore recognises excise duty as a cost to the group.

Price/mix is the number of percentage points difference between the organic
movement in net sales and the organic movement in volume. The difference
arises because of changes in the composition of sales between higher and lower
priced variants/markets or as price changes are implemented.

Shipments comprise the volume of products sold to Diageo's immediate (first
tier) customers. Depletions are the estimated volume of the onward sales made
by Diageo's immediate customers. Both shipments and depletions are measured on
an equivalent units basis.

References to emerging markets include Poland, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Latin
America and Caribbean, Africa and Asia Pacific (excluding Australia, Korea and
Japan).

References to reserve brands include, but are not limited to, Johnnie Walker
Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Green Label, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve,
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years, John Walker & Sons Collection and other
Johnnie Walker super and ultra-premium brands; The Singleton, Talisker,
Lagavulin, Mortlach, Oban and other malt brands; Buchanan's Special Reserve,
Buchanan's Red Seal; Crown Royal Special Reserve, Crown Royal XR and Haig Club
whisky; Bulleit 10 Years Bourbon; Orphan Barrel whiskey; Balcones whisky and
rum; Tanqueray No. TEN; Aviation, Jinzu and Villa Ascenti gin; Cîroc vodka;
Don Julio, Casamigos and DeLeón tequila; Mezcal Unión and Pierde Almas
mezcal; Zacapa, Bundaberg Master Distillers' Collection, Pampero Aniversario
and Don Papa rum; Shui Jing Fang and Seedlip.

References to ready to drink also include ready to serve products, such as
pre-mixed cans in some markets.

References to beer include cider, flavoured malt beverages and some
non-alcoholic products such as Malta Guinness. The results of Hop House 13
Lager are included in the Guinness figures.

There is no industry-agreed definition for price tiers and for data providers
such as IWSR, definitions can vary by market. Diageo bases price tier
definitions on a methodology that uses external metrics (including market
pricing data from Nielsen, IRI etc., as well as the IWSR segmentation) for
benchmarking and internal pricing metrics for a consistent segmentation.

References to the disposal of the USL Popular brands include non-exhaustively
the Haywards, Old Tavern, White Mischief, Honey Bee, Green Label and Romanov
brands.

References to the group include Diageo plc and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 

 

Risk factors

The principal risks and uncertainties facing Diageo are set out on pages 88 to
93 of the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2023 and pages 113 to 123
of Diageo's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 30 June 2023. These
principal risks and uncertainties include: climate change and sustainability;
regulation, trade barriers and indirect tax; geopolitical volatility and
business interruption; macro-economic and financial volatility; international
direct tax; supply chain disruption; cyber and IT resilience; business ethics
and integrity; consumer demand disruption; and product quality and
counterfeit.

Having carried out a robust assessment, we have concluded that the nature and
potential impact of the principal risks and uncertainties facing Diageo did
not change in the six months ended 31 December 2023, and are not expected to
change in respect of the second six months of the financial year.

Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements

This document contains 'forward-looking' statements. These 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, objectives and projections
with respect to future matters, including the statements set forth in the
'Fiscal 24 outlook', 'Fiscal 25 outlook' and 'Medium-term guidance' sections
and any other statements with respect to trends in results of operations,
margins, growth rates, overall market trends, the impact of changes in
interest or exchange rates, the availability or cost of financing to Diageo,
anticipated cost savings or synergies, anticipated productivity savings,
expected investments, expected inventory levels, the completion of any
strategic transactions or restructuring programmes, anticipated tax rates,
changes in the international tax environment, expected cash payments, outcomes
of litigation or regulatory enquiries, anticipated changes in the value of
assets and liabilities related to pension schemes and general economic
conditions. 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.

These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) economic, political, social
or other developments in countries and markets in which Diageo operates,
including elevated geopolitical instability as a result of conflict in the
Middle East and macroeconomic events that may affect Diageo's customers,
suppliers and/or financial counterparties; (ii) the effects of climate change,
or legal, regulatory or market measures intended to address climate change;
(iii) changes in consumer preferences and tastes, including as a result of
disruptive market forces, changes in demographics and evolving social trends
(including any shifts in consumer tastes towards at-home occasions,
premiumisation, small-batch craft alcohol, or lower or no alcohol products
and/or developments in e-commerce); (iv) changes in the domestic and
international tax environment that could lead to uncertainty around the
application of existing and new tax laws and unexpected tax exposures; (v)
changes in the cost of production, including as a result of increases in the
cost of commodities, labour and/or energy due to inflation and/or supply chain
disruptions; (vi) any litigation or other similar proceedings (including with
tax, customs, competition, environmental, anti-corruption or other regulatory
authorities); (vii) legal and regulatory developments, including changes in
regulations relating to environmental issues and/or e-commerce; (viii) the
consequences of any failure of internal controls; (ix) the consequences of any
failure by Diageo or its associates to comply with anti-corruption, sanctions,
trade restrictions or similar laws and regulations, or any failure of Diageo's
related internal policies and procedures to comply with applicable law or
regulation; (x) Diageo's ability to make sufficient progress against or
achieve its ESG ambitions; (xi) cyber-attacks and IT threats or any other
disruptions to core business operations; (xii) contamination, counterfeiting
or other circumstances which could harm the level of customer support for
Diageo's brands and adversely impact its sales; (xiii) Diageo's ability to
maintain its brand image and corporate reputation or to adapt to a changing
media environment; (xiv) fluctuations in exchange rates and/or interest rates;
(xv) Diageo's ability to derive the expected benefits from its business
strategies, including Diageo's investments in e-commerce and its luxury
portfolio; (xvi) increased competitive product and pricing pressures,
including as a result of introductions of new products or categories that are
competitive with Diageo's products and consolidations by competitors and
retailers; (xvii) increased costs for, or shortages of, talent, as well as
labour strikes or disputes; (xviii) movements in the value of the assets and
liabilities related to Diageo's pension plans; (xix) Diageo's ability to renew
supply, distribution, manufacturing or licence agreements (or related rights)
and licences on favourable terms, or at all, when they expire; or (xx) any
failure by Diageo to protect its intellectual property rights.

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 above cautionary factors, by the 'Risk Factors' section
immediately preceding those and by the 'Risk Factors' included in Diageo's
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 30 June 2023 filed with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions
or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

This document includes names of Diageo's products, which constitute trademarks
or trade names which Diageo owns, or which others own and license to Diageo
for use. All rights reserved. © Diageo plc 2024.

 

Statement of directors' responsibilities

Each of the Directors of Diageo plc confirms that, to the best of his or her
knowledge:

-   the condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with UK adopted IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', IAS 34
'Interim Financial Reporting' as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board ('IASB') and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority;

-   the interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:

•    an indication of important events that have occurred during the
first six months and their impact on the condensed set of financial
statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the
remaining six months of the financial year; and

•    material related-party transactions in the first six months and any
material changes in the related-party transactions described in the last
annual report.

The Directors of Diageo plc are as follows: Javier Ferrán (Chairman), Debra
Crew (Chief Executive), Lavanya Chandrashekar (Chief Financial Officer), Susan
Kilsby (Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Remuneration
Committee), Alan Stewart (Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit
Committee) and Non-Executive Directors: Melissa Bethell, Karen Blackett,
Valérie Chapoulaud-Floquet, Sir John Manzoni, and Ireena Vittal.

 

Webcast and presentation slides

At 07:15 (UK time) on Tuesday 30 January 2024, Debra Crew, Chief Executive and
Lavanya Chandrashekar, Chief Financial Officer will present Diageo's interim
results as a webcast. This will be available to view at www.diageo.com. The
presentation slides and script will also be available to download at this
time.

Live Q&A conference call

Debra Crew and Lavanya Chandrashekar will be hosting a Q&A conference call
on Tuesday 30 January 2024 at 09:30 (UK time). If you would like to listen to
the call or ask a question, please use the dial in details below.

 From the UK:               +44 (0)20 3936 2999
 From the UK (free call):   0800 358 1035

 From the USA:              +1 646 787 9445
 From the USA (free call):  +1 855 979 6654

 

The conference call is for analysts and investors only. To join the call
please use the conference ID code already sent to you or email
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Transcript

Following the Q&A conference call, a transcript will be available from the
link below:

 

https://www.diageo.com/en/investors/results-reports-and-presentations
(https://www.diageo.com/en/investors/results-reports-and-presentations)

 

 Investor enquiries to:  Durga Doraisamy   +44 (0)7902 126906
                         Andy Ryan         +44 (0)7803 854842
                         Brian Shipman     +1 917 710 3007
                                           investor.relations@diageo.com

 Media enquiries to:     Brendan O'Grady   +44 (0)7812 183750
                         Clare Cavana      +44 (0)7751 742072
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                                           press@diageo.com

 

Diageo plc LEI: 213800ZVIELEA55JMJ32

 

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