Diageo sticks to 9% profits growth goal

DIAGEO, the world's biggest producer of alcoholic drinks, yesterday said sales rose 7 per cent in the nine months to the end of March.

In a brief trading statement, the company behind famous names such as Johnnie Walker and Guinness said net sales growth was in line with results in the first half.

Chief executive Paul Walsh said: "We are, therefore, maintaining our guidance for 9 per cent organic operating profit growth for the current fiscal year."

Diageo did not provide full sales figures in the update.