Still vulnerable to cheaper brands

Article Excerpt

DIAGEO PLC ADR $169 is a hold. The company (New York symbol DEO; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; ADRs outstanding: 562.5 million; Market cap: $95.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.4; Dividend yield: 2.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.diageo.com) is a leading maker of premium alcoholic beverages. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, Diageo’s sales rose 10.7%, to 17.11 billion British pounds (1 pound = $1.67 Canadian) from 15.45 billion pounds in 2022. The higher sales also lifted earnings per ADR by 7.6%, to 6.54 pounds from 6.08 pounds. (One ADR equals four Diageo shares.) The company should earn $8.58 U.S. per ADR in fiscal 2024, and the stock trades at a reasonable 19.7 times that forecast. The $3.67 U.S. dividend yields 2.2%. However, rising inflation and interest rates could see consumers switch from premium to cheaper alcohol brands. Diageo is a hold. hold…