List identifying information required to be furnished
by Diageo plc pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
The Securities Exchange Act 1934
14 February 2008

Information		Required by/when
Public Announcements/Press		The Stock Exchange, London

Announcement
Interim results for the year ended 31
December 2007.
(14 February 2008)

 

 

FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Diageo plc

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

8 Henrietta Place, London W1G 0NB

(Address of principal executive offices)

indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

Form 20-F þ                    Form 40-F o

indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o                    No þ

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82 _____

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

		Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2007

Diageo is on track to deliver full year guidance with strong first half performance — volume up 4%, net sales up 7% and operating profit up 9%.

Paul Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo, commenting on six months ended 31 December 2007 said:

“Diageo’s strength is its geographic diversity with leading brands across all categories. We have again delivered broad based growth in a half when we have continued to invest behind our brands and in our routes to market. In the half net sales grew 7%, operating margin increased by 80 basis points and return on invested capital was also up 80 basis points.

‘While performance was broadly based some individual areas of the business were key in driving these first half results. In North America our US spirits business again delivered strong top line growth. In Europe we have captured the opportunities offered by growing consumer demand for premium brands in Eastern Europe and Russia and we improved our sales execution in Great Britain in the key Christmas selling season. In International we have driven top line growth and margin improvement with continued strong performance across the region. Performance in Asia Pacific reflects our continued investments to build our route to market and widen our brand offerings in both India and China. In the first half overall performance in Asia Pacific has been affected by the loss of our import licence in Korea.

‘Looking at our individual brand performances; Johnnie Walker has again delivered double-digit net sales growth as have Smirnoff and Captain Morgan. The performance of Guinness has also improved with net sales up 6% and share gains in Great Britain and Ireland. In addition, a new marketing campaign has reintroduced JεB to consumers in Continental Europe, Mexico and South Africa and the brand grew strongly in the first half.

‘This first half performance demonstrates that our brands are well supported and our routes to market remain strong and therefore, while we continue to watch for any impact that recent financial market volatility may have on broader trading conditions, we are maintaining our guidance for 9% organic operating profit growth for the current fiscal year.”

Results at a glance

						First half				First half				Reported				Organic
						F‘08				F‘07				movement				movement
Volume in millions of equivalent units							78.9				75.7				4	%			4	%
Net sales		£ million					4,287				4,022				7	%			7	%
Operating profit		£ million					1,414				1,306				8	%			9	%
Profit attributable to parent company’s equity shareholders *		£ million					975				895				9	%
Basic eps *		pence					37.6				32.8				15	%

	•		Marketing spend increased 4%. Excluding Korea, spend on non-ready to drink brands increased 8%
	•		12% underlying growth of eps before exceptional items using an effective tax rate of 26% and adjusted for foreign exchange
	•		Free cash flow of £436 million
	•		Interim dividend per share increased by 5.2% to 13.20 pence
	•		£1.0 billion returned to shareholders: £523 million in dividends and £488 million of share buybacks

Unless otherwise stated in this announcement: net sales are sales after deducting excise duties; percentage movements are organic movements; commentary refers to organic movements and share refers to value share. See page 30 for additional information for shareholders and an explanation of non-GAAP measures including the reconciliation of basic eps as reported to underlying basic eps.

Regional summary

North America — Continued strength in premium spirits drives overall growth

•

Volume up 3%

•

Net sales up 6%

•

Marketing spend up 4%

•

Operating profit up 7%

North America again delivered strong performance led by US spirits where net sales were up 8%. The priority brands Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal and Sterling and Chalone wines were the primary growth drivers. These together with price increases and mix benefits across the business from innovation and premiumisation, drove top line growth and margin improvement despite increased spend behind key growth drivers such as the Reserve Brands Group.

Europe — Growth continued in line with the improved performance delivered in the second half of F’07 driven by Great Britain, Russia and Eastern Europe

•

Volume up 3%

•

Net sales up 4%

•

Marketing spend up 7%

•

Operating profit up 2%

Europe’s performance overall reflected the success of the strategy to focus on premium brands and growth markets. In Great Britain recovery against the prior period was the result of increased marketing spend and a simplified Christmas pricing strategy on Smirnoff Red and Baileys. Guinness returned to growth in Great Britain and Ireland following increased marketing investment resulting in share gains in both markets. Johnnie Walker and Baileys were the major contributors to growth in the Russian business where consumers continue to demand premium brands. Sales recovered following the disruption caused in the prior period by the introduction of strip stamps. There was strong growth throughout Eastern Europe as a result of strong performance of Johnnie Walker, JεB and Smirnoff. In Continental Europe deluxe and reserve brands were again the key drivers of growth.

International — Double-digit growth in net sales and operating profit achieved in Latin America, Africa and Global Travel and Middle East

•

Volume up 7%

•

Net sales up 16%

•

Marketing spend up 14%

•

Operating profit up 20%

In International a strong performance from Diageo’s beer brands in Africa and continued growth of scotch in Latin America, South Africa and Global Travel and Middle East were the main drivers of this strong performance. The growth of Smirnoff, Baileys and JεB also made a significant contribution to the growth in the region. Price increases and mix improvements across Diageo’s scotch brands and price increases in beer in Africa drove the significant improvement in overall price/mix and delivered operating margin improvement.

Asia Pacific — Performance in the half impacted by Korea and investments in market infrastructure

•

Volume up 6%

•

Net sales up 1%

•

Marketing spend down 12%

•

Operating profit down 12%

Consumer demand in the region remained strong and Diageo continued to enhance routes to market by introducing brands into markets such as India, exploring opportunities in new markets such as Vietnam and focusing on priority brands in markets such as Australia. Diageo has continued to grow share in the key scotch markets of the region such as China. The overall performance in Asia Pacific has been affected by a number of factors including the loss of the import licence in Korea.

Financial

•

The deficit in respect of post employment plans decreased by £34 million from £419 million at 30 June 2007 to £385 million at 31 December 2007. For the full year ending 30 June 2008, finance income under IAS 19 is expected to be £47 million, broadly in line with the benefit in the year ended 30 June 2007.

•

In the six months ended 31 December 2007, exchange rate movements reduced operating profit by £13 million and reduced the net interest charge by £3 million.

•

Based on current exchange rates, it is estimated that exchange rate movements for the year ending 30 June 2008 will not have a material impact on operating profit or the interest charge excluding the exchange impact of re-translating trading and short term inter-company loans under IAS 21 and excluding the impact of IAS 39.

Brand performance summary

						Reported				Organic
		Volume				net sales				net sales
		movement*				movement				movement
		%				%				%
Global priority brands			5				6				7
Local priority brands			4				6				6
Category brands			3				9				9
Total			4				7				7
Key spirits brands**:
Smirnoff vodka			9				10				11
Johnnie Walker			5				12				10
Captain Morgan			7				6				11
Baileys			5				6				6
JεB			5				10				8
Jose Cuervo			(4	)			(7	)			(3	)
Tanqueray			5				6				11
Crown Royal — North America			5				5				10
Buchanan’s — International			8				33				14
Windsor — Asia Pacific			42				(23	)			(20	)
Guinness			3				6				6
Ready to drink			(3	)			(2	)			(1	)

Smirnoff performed strongly with net sales growth in each region. The principal driver was North America where strong marketing campaigns drove both net sales growth and share gains. In Great Britain, Brazil, India, Australia and South Africa Smirnoff also achieved significant growth supported by focused marketing investment.

Johnnie Walker’s performance was driven by International where net sales were up 16% and by Europe where net sales were up 13%. Volume growth of 7% in Johnnie Walker Black Label and price increases in a number of markets drove mix.

Captain Morgan had a strong first half with double-digit net sales growth in each region, supported by increased marketing investment.

Baileys growth was driven by Great Britain and Russia in Europe and by International. Net sales of Baileys Original Irish Cream were up across all regions as Baileys flavours renewed interest in the core brand.

JεB has been reinvigorated by a new advertising campaign and new packaging. International and Europe were the key growth drivers.

While the growth of the super and ultra premium tequila segments has had a negative impact on Jose Cuervo, innovation such as super premium Jose Cuervo Platino and advertising focus has improved mix.

Tanqueray grew net sales 11% on volume growth of 5%. The principal driver was the growth in North America following the launch of Tanqueray Rangpur and a price increase on the core brand. Net sales growth was delivered in all regions.

Within local priority brands Crown Royal in North America performed strongly with improvement in price/mix. Growth in Buchanan’s was driven by continued strong performance in Latin American markets and by strong growth in North America where net sales grew 31%. In Korea, Windsor maintained number one position in the market. Volume was up as a result of shipment timing due to the third party distributor arrangements in place in the half which also reduced net sales per case.

Guinness grew net sales in its four largest markets, Great Britain, Ireland, Nigeria and the US as marketing investment increased behind successful new campaigns in each market.

Ready to drink net sales were down 1%. Strong growth of Bundaberg and Cola in Australia and Smirnoff ready to drink in Brazil and Africa offset most of the impact of the segment’s decline in North America and Europe.

Management Reports

As communicated at the time of the 2007 preliminary results announcement, this half yearly report forms one of the management reports Diageo is required to publish under the EU Transparency Directive from the financial year beginning 1 July 2007. Diageo will issue the next interim management statement on 8 May 2008. The year end preliminary results announcement will be issued on 28 August 2008. The trading update to be issued at the time of the AGM on 15 October 2008 will form the first interim management statement for the year ended 30 June 2009.

Interim Report

Recent changes to the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority have removed the requirement to issue a hard copy interim report to shareholders. However, if you require a copy of this statement please contact the Registrar’s office. This statement will be available on www.diageo.com.

BUSINESS REVIEW
For the six months ended 31 December 2007

OPERATING RESULTS — analysis by brand and business area

North America

Summary:

•

Priority spirit brands continued to drive growth

•

Premiumisation drove mix improvement with acceleration in growth of reserve brands

•

Investment in overhead has constrained growth in operating profit

•

Innovation delivered one third of the growth in net sales

Key measures:

		First half				First half				Reported				Organic
		F’08				F’07				movement				movement
		£ million				£ million				%				%
Volume											3				3
Net sales			1,321				1,313				1				6
Marketing spend			201				206				(2	)			4
Operating profit			491				486				1				7

Reported performance:

Net sales were £1,321 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007 up £8 million from £1,313 million in the comparable prior period. Reported operating profit increased by £5 million from £486 million to £491 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007.

Organic performance:

The weighted average exchange rate used to translate US dollar sales and operating profit moved from £1 = $1.91 in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £1 = $2.03 in the six months ended 31 December 2007. Exchange rate impacts decreased net sales by £65 million. Disposals decreased net sales by £4 million and there was an organic increase in net sales of £77 million. Exchange rate impacts reduced operating profit by £25 million. There was an organic increase in operating profit of £30 million.

Brand performance:

						Reported				Organic
		Volume				net sales				net sales
		movement				movement				movement
		%				%				%
Global priority brands			3				(1	)			4
Local priority brands			4				5				10
Category brands			2				1				9
Total			3				1				6
Key spirits brands*:
Smirnoff vodka			8				7				12
Johnnie Walker			5				4				10
Captain Morgan			6				5				11
Baileys			(3	)			(6	)			(2	)
Jose Cuervo			(4	)			(8	)			(2	)
Tanqueray			6				5				12
Crown Royal			5				5				10
Guinness			2				—				5
Ready to drink			(12	)			(13	)			(9	)

Diageo North America continued to drive broadly based growth. Price increases were taken on the majority of the priority brands and price/mix improved across spirits. Net sales of spirits were up 8%, beer up 6% and wine up 12%. Weakness in the ready to drink brands in the US, with net sales down 9%, cost the region 1 percentage point of net sales growth overall.

Smirnoff vodka grew volume 8% on the continued strong performance of Smirnoff Red and the growth in Smirnoff flavours, which benefited from the successful marketing campaign highlighting how to make cocktails at home. Net sales increased 12% following price increases in key markets. Smirnoff’s share of the vodka category increased 0.3 percentage points.

Johnnie Walker volume grew 5% with growth achieved across all variants. Stronger performance within Johnnie Walker Black Label and super deluxe combined with price increases, drove 10% net sales growth. Johnnie Walker continued to lead the category finding growth opportunities in a declining category and share was up a further 1.6 percentage points. Johnnie Walker has now gained share for the last four consecutive calendar years.

Captain Morgan volume was up 6% and net sales up 11% as price increases were implemented. Strong marketing campaigns continued to build the brand with consumers. Captain Morgan maintained share of the rum category.

Baileys volume and net sales were down 3% and 2% respectively as Baileys flavours lapped the national launch in the prior period. Baileys Original Irish Cream grew volume and net sales as price increases were taken and strong holiday and multicultural marketing, with singer John Legend, drove growth. Baileys’ share of the cordials and liqueur category increased 0.2 percentage points against an overall category decline.

While Jose Cuervo volume decreased 4%, net sales decreased 2% as price increases were implemented. Category growth was driven by the super premium segment and therefore advertising has been refocused on the super premium Jose Cuervo brands such as Jose Cuervo Black Medallion and Jose Cuervo Tradicional. An innovation, Jose Cuervo Platino, has also been launched in the super premium segment.

Tanqueray volume grew 6% and net sales increased 12% driven by price increases on the core brand and Tanqueray Rangpur, an innovation launched nationally in February 2007, which continued to build distribution and attract consumers. Tanqueray grew share 2.2 percentage points against an overall decline in the gin category.

Crown Royal grew volume 5% and net sales 10% benefiting from both price increases and innovation as the new super premium Crown Royal Cask 16 improved mix within the brand. Crown Royal grew share 0.4 percentage points in the North American whiskey category.

Guinness held share in the import beer segment with volume up 2% and net sales up 5% with mix improvement and price increases.

Local priority brand volume was up 4%. Seagram’s 7 Crown and Seagram’s VO were broadly flat and growth was driven by the higher margin brands. As a result net sales were up 10% with Buchanan’s up 31% and US wine up 11% driven by double-digit growth of Chalone brands and Sterling Vineyards. Diageo Chateau and Estate grew share of the premium wine segment 0.7 percentage points.

Category brands grew net sales 9% on volume growth of 2%. Favourable mix was driven by the growth of Don Julio, the Classic Malts and French agency and other import wines. Don Julio is the clear number two in the premium tequila segment growing share 0.5 percentage points. The Classic Malts’ performance was driven by double-digit growth on Dalwhinnie, Oban and Talisker.

Ready to drink declined in a declining segment, with volume down 12% and net sales down 9%. Ready to drink consists of progressive adult beverages and spirit based cocktails. The overall decline was driven by progressive adult beverages which includes Smirnoff Ice. Diageo lost 0.3 percentage points in share but remained the clear segment leader. Spirits based cocktails showed good momentum with the introduction of Smirnoff cocktails, a new innovation and continued growth in consumer off take of Jose Cuervo Golden Margaritas.

Overall marketing increased 4% with spending increases directed toward the reserve brands and new product launches such as Crown Royal Cask 16 and Smirnoff cocktails.

Europe

Summary:

•

Performance improvement continued in the first half

•

Guinness returned to growth supported by increased marketing spend

•

Growth of key spirits brands driven by Great Britain, Russia and Eastern Europe

•

Premiumisation continued across the region, led by Johnnie Walker Black Label and Smirnoff Black

Key measures:

		First half				First half				Reported				Organic
		F’08				F’07				movement				movement
		£ million				£ million				%				%
Volume											3				3
Net sales			1,433				1,357				6				4
Marketing spend			228				208				10				7
Operating profit			509				484				5				2

Reported performance:

Net sales were £1,433 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007, up £76 million from £1,357 million in the comparable prior period. Reported operating profit increased by £25 million from £484 million to £509 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007.

Organic performance:

The weighted average exchange rate used to translate euro sales and profit moved from £1 = €1.48 in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £1 = €1.43 in the six months ended 31 December 2007. Exchange rate impacts increased net sales by £28 million. Transfers between markets decreased net sales by £1 million and there was an organic increase in net sales of £49 million. Exchange rate impacts increased operating profit by £11 million. Transfers between markets increased operating profit by £3 million and there was an organic increase in operating profit of £11 million.

Brand performance:

						Reported				Organic
		Volume				net sales				net sales
		movement				movement				movement
		%				%				%
Global priority brands			4				7				5
Local priority brands			(1	)			—				(2	)
Category brands			3				7				5
Total			3				6				4
Key spirits brands*:
Smirnoff vodka			6				6				4
Johnnie Walker			6				16				13
Baileys			7				10				7
JεB			—				8				4
Guinness			3				6				4
Ready to drink			(11	)			(14	)			(15	)

*		Spirits brands excluding ready to drink

Volume grew 3% and positive price/mix contributed to net sales growth of 4%. Strong performance in Great Britain, Russia and Eastern Europe offset weaker performance in Iberia and Greece. Global priority brands benefited from increased marketing spend of 11% with Guinness, Smirnoff and Baileys the key beneficiaries.

Smirnoff vodka volume increased 6% while net sales increased 4%. The brand performed strongly in Great Britain benefiting from two new marketing campaigns and a simplified Christmas pricing strategy. New marketing campaigns in Ireland also drove increases in both net sales and share.

Johnnie Walker volume was up 6% and net sales increased 13% as a result of strong growth in Russia, Eastern Europe, Benelux and Spain. In Spain net sales of Johnnie Walker Red Label grew 11% and the brand increased share 1.7 percentage points. The growth of Johnnie Walker Black Label in Russia and Eastern Europe combined with price increases drove positive mix.

Baileys volume and net sales increased 7%. In the key Great Britain market Baileys net sales increased 11%. The return to growth of Baileys Original Irish Cream was a result of the simplified Christmas pricing strategy. Russia again delivered strong growth and the launch of Baileys flavours was extended to Hungary and the Czech Republic. Marketing spend grew 11% and the brand launched its first regional campaign across Europe with a successful digital promotion.

Strong performance of JεB in France and Eastern Europe drove net sales growth of 4%. In Spain, while volume was down 5% as a result of the continued decline of the standard scotch segment, price increases drove 3% net sales growth.

Captain Morgan net sales grew 12% across the region. This growth was supported with marketing investment up over 60%.

Guinness returned to growth with volume up 3% and net sales up 4%. Increased marketing spend, up 20% for the first half, was a major contributor to this turnaround. In both Great Britain and Ireland, the success of new advertising campaigns were key factors in the improvement. In a declining beer category Guinness grew 8 percentage points ahead of the category to gain 0.5 percentage points of share, consolidating its position as the number three on trade beer brand in Great Britain. In Ireland Guinness grew net sales 3% and gained 1.3 percentage points of share in the on trade supported by a slow down in the consumer switch to the off trade.

Total ready to drink volume declined 11% and net sales declined 15%, primarily driven by Smirnoff Ice in Great Britain and France.

Within local priority brands, Bell’s and Gordon’s in Great Britain benefited from the simplified Christmas pricing strategy, increased off trade visibility for Bell’s over the seasonal period and a stronger print campaign for Gordon’s. This performance was offset by Cacique in Spain, local beer brands in Ireland and Gordon’s in Continental Europe.

Category brand volume increased 3% and net sales increased 5% as strong performance in scotch offset the decline in Pimm’s which was impacted by the poor summer weather.

International

Summary:

•		Double-digit net sales growth achieved in Latin America, Africa and Global Travel and Middle East
•		Beer brands continue to grow strongly in Africa with spirits brands now delivering a third of the growth
•		Strong net sales growth of scotch brands across Latin America and in South Africa and Global Travel and Middle East
•		Focus on categories outside of scotch and beer drove broader based growth

Key measures:

		First half				First half				Reported				Organic
		F’08				F’07				movement				movement
		£ million				£ million				%				%
Volume											7				7
Net sales			1,050				884				19				16
Marketing spend			125				112				12				14
Operating profit			347				298				16				20

Reported performance:

Net sales were £1,050 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007, up £166 million from £884 million in the comparable prior period. Reported operating profit increased by £49 million from £298 million to £347 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007.

Organic performance:

Exchange rate impacts increased net sales by £23 million. Transfers between regions increased net sales by £1 million and there was an organic increase in net sales of £142 million. Exchange rate impacts reduced operating profit by £4 million and transfers of costs between regions reduced operating profit by £6 million. There was an organic increase in operating profit of £59 million.

Brand performance:

						Reported				Organic
		Volume				net sales				net sales
		movement				movement				movement
		%				%				%
Global priority brands			9				17				16
Local priority brands			7				25				18
Category brands			5				17				13
Total			7				19				16
Key spirits brands*:
Smirnoff vodka			10				23				21
Johnnie Walker			10				21				16
Baileys			8				15				15
Buchanan’s			8				33				14
Guinness			5				11				14
Ready to drink			5				12				14

*		Spirits brands excluding ready to drink

Growth was led by the global priority brands with net sales up 16%, driven by Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff. Price/mix improvement was achieved across global priority, local priority and category brands.

Smirnoff vodka delivered volume and net sales growth throughout the region, up 10% and 21% respectively. The key markets were Brazil and South Africa where the vodka category displayed strong growth. In both these markets Smirnoff is the category leader and strong marketing campaigns helped to drive further share gains.

Johnnie Walker volume was up 10% as a result of strong growth across the region. This was fuelled by growth in Latin America, especially in Mexico, South Africa and the Middle East. Net sales were up 16% driven by price increases implemented in Latin America and Global Travel and Middle East.

Baileys volume was up 8% and net sales were up 15% as premium priced gift packs and consumer promotions in Global Travel and the launch of Baileys flavours in Mexico drove overall growth.

Buchanan’s is the clear leader in the deluxe scotch segment in Venezuela and Mexico and strong consumer demand in these two markets drove overall volume growth, up 8%. Net sales grew 14% as price increases were implemented.

Guinness delivered 5% volume growth driven by the successful “Guinness Greatness” campaign, economic expansion in East Africa and a positive performance in Cameroon. Price increases and a benefit from changes in excise tax in some markets have resulted in strong price/mix with net sales up 14%.

JεB also delivered strong growth in the region with volume up 18% fuelled by strong consumer demand in Mexico, South Africa and Global Travel. Price increases implemented in South Africa and Global Travel led to net sales up 24%.

Local priority brands grew volume 7% and net sales 18%. Buchanan’s, Tusker and Pilsner all delivered double-digit net sales growth as price increases were implemented following successful advertising campaigns. Malta Guinness also grew net sales by double-digits driven by Nigeria and Ghana.

Category brands grew volume 5% driven by the growth of beer brands in Africa. Price/mix was achieved as a result of significant price increases on lower priced scotch brands in Latin America and as a result net sales were up 13%.

Ready to drink volume increased 5%. This was the result of growth in Smirnoff ready to drink brands, particularly the launch of new flavours of Smirnoff Caipiroska in Brazil, continued growth of Smirnoff Ice in Nigeria and Smirnoff ready to drink in South Africa. Net sales grew 14% mainly as a result of price increases in Venezuela and South Africa.

Most African markets delivered double-digit net sales growth, however East Africa and South Africa drove overall performance, with net sales up 26% and 25% respectively.

In East Africa this was the result of successful marketing campaigns on Guinness and Tusker and expanded distribution of Senator beer. In South Africa Diageo’s scotch brands drove the growth as they continued to outperform a growing and competitive category in both volume and net sales terms with price increases implemented across most brands.

Net sales grew 11% and 25% respectively in Nigeria and Ghana, with strong performances from Guinness and Malta Guinness. This was driven by price increases which were implemented on these key brands.

Strong consumer demand for scotch has driven performance in both Venezuela and Mexico. In Venezuela net sales grew 10% and in Mexico increased investment behind the sales force and expansion of the customer base led to share gains and net sales up 31%.

In the Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil hub net sales were up 7% with Smirnoff vodka and ready to drink the key drivers. The new marketing campaign on Smirnoff vodka combined with expansion into other regions resulted in volume growth ahead of the category despite taking two price rises in the last year. Smirnoff ready to drink also benefited from the campaign.

Performance in Global Travel and Middle East where volume was up 7% and net sales up 14% was driven by Johnnie Walker, particularly Johnnie Walker Black Label and super deluxe which benefited from increased visibility behind the “Winners stay in control” campaign in Global Travel. Price increases drove the price/mix improvement.

Asia Pacific

Summary:

•		Continued growth in consumer demand
•		Improved performance in Australia led by continued strength of the ready to drink segment
•		Continued share gains in deluxe scotch in China
•		Loss of import licence in Korea reduced operating profit in the half
•		Launch of new brands in India strengthened the route to market

Key measures:

		First half				First half				Reported				Organic
		F’08				F’07				movement				movement
		£ million				£ million				%				%
Volume											6				6
Net sales			438				430				2				1
Marketing spend			89				100				(11	)			(12	)
Operating profit			99				115				(14	)			(12	)

Reported performance:

Net sales were £438 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007, up £8 million from £430 million in the comparable prior period. Reported operating profit decreased by £16 million from £115 million to £99 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007.

Organic performance:

Exchange rate impacts increased net sales by £2 million. There was an organic increase in net sales of £6 million. Transfers between regions decreased operating profit by £3 million and there was an organic decrease in operating profit of £13 million.

Brand performance:

						Reported				Organic
		Volume				net sales				net sales
		movement				movement				movement
		%				%				%
Global priority brands			4				4				4
Local priority brands			16				(8	)			(7	)
Category brands			3				10				7
Total			6				2				1
Key spirits brands*:
Smirnoff vodka			23				37				31
Johnnie Walker			(5	)			(2	)			(1	)
Windsor			42				(23	)			(20	)
Guinness			(10	)			(5	)			(3	)
Ready to drink			12				20				14

Smirnoff vodka continued to deliver strong growth with volume up 23% driven by India and Australia. A focus on Smirnoff flavours in these markets, the growth of Smirnoff Black in Australia and a price increase in India resulted in price/mix improvement with net sales up 31%.

The performance of Johnnie Walker was impacted by closures in the Indian duty free channel and lower shipments into China, although Johnnie Walker gained share in the growing deluxe scotch segment in China. Price/mix of 4 percentage points was driven by price increases in a number of markets.

Guinness volume declined 10% and net sales declined 3%. This was the result of a change in tax in Japan which disrupted shipments to our distributor and a planned reduction of stock levels in Indonesia.

Australia remains the key market for Diageo’s ready to drink brands in Asia Pacific and strong growth of Bundaberg and Cola, Smirnoff Ice Double Black and Johnnie Walker ready to drink, has resulted in 14% net sales growth for ready to drink in the region.

Local priority brand performance was driven by Windsor in Korea. Volume was up as a result of shipment timings, whilst net sales were impacted by third party distributor costs. Bundaberg delivered growth in both volume and net sales up 2% and 15% respectively. Growth in ready to drink positively impacted mix.

Category brands were driven by the growth of locally bottled scotch brands in India.

The loss of Diageo’s import licence in Korea in July 2007 has had a significant impact on the overall growth rate for the Asia Pacific region in the first half. Following the loss of the import licence the route to market was through a third party distributor and therefore sales were recognised at the time stock was transferred to the distributor while net sales per case reduced to reflect the transfer of costs, including marketing spend, to the distributor. The net impact therefore was to increase volume and reduce net sales per case, marketing spend and operating profit. Diageo however maintained leadership of the whisky category. An application for a new import licence was submitted on 26 December 2007.

In Australia there has been increased focus on the priority brands to drive profitability. This resulted in 9% growth in net sales on broadly flat volume. The fast growing ready to drink brands were a key driver of this growth as new media campaigns and up weighted investment on major sporting events such as the rugby world cup, drove growth in Bundaberg, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff ready to drink. In spirits Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff both delivered double-digit net sales growth.

In Thailand the focus has been on improving profitability following two years of volume out performance. Low value products were discontinued and prices increased on a number of brands despite price reductions on competitor brands. Therefore volume declined 17% and net sales declined 5%. Diageo remains the leader in premium and deluxe whisky but lost volume share in the deluxe segment.

In China the scotch category is estimated to have grown by a further 20% and Diageo has again gained share. The appreciation of the RMB created a market for US dollar priced Johnnie Walker into China and therefore while consumer off take is estimated to have increased by 30%, shipments were down 8%. Diageo China became fully operational in the half and as a result, brand awareness for the brands it distributes such as Baileys and JεB increased and Smirnoff volume share was up 2 percentage points in a category growing 15%. Therefore despite a 10% fall in net sales of Johnnie Walker, overall net sales were up 2%.

In India volume grew 28% as Diageo’s Bottled in India (BII) business grew as a result of improved distribution and further growth of the innovation brands, Haig and Shark Tooth. This increase was however offset by the closure of a number of high volume duty free airport retail stores and sales of Johnnie Walker halved resulting in overall net sales growth of 7%.

Corporate revenue and costs

Net sales were £45 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007, up £7 million from £38 million in the prior period. Net reported operating costs were £32 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007 and were £77 million in the six months ended 31 December 2006. A number of costs are recharged by corporate to the four regions at fixed exchange rates and the difference between these fixed rates and actual rates is included in corporate. Centrally incurred overheads and other expenses were down slightly in the period.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Summary consolidated income statement

		Six months ended				Six months ended
		31 December 2007				31 December 2006
		£ million				£ million
Sales			5,667				5,358
Excise duties			(1,380	)			(1,336	)
Net sales			4,287				4,022
Operating costs			(2,873	)			(2,716	)
Operating profit			1,414				1,306
Sale of businesses			5				—
Net finance charges			(156	)			(98	)
Share of associates’ profit after tax			105				91
Profit before taxation			1,368				1,299
Taxation			(354	)			(367	)
Profit for the period			1,014				932
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent company			975				895
Minority interests			39				37
			1,014				932

Sales and net sales

On a reported basis, sales increased by £309 million from £5,358 million in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £5,667 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007. On a reported basis net sales increased by £265 million from £4,022 million in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £4,287 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007. Exchange rate movements decreased reported sales and net sales by £12 million. Disposals resulted in a net decrease in reported sales and net sales of £4 million for the period.

Operating costs

On a reported basis, operating costs increased by £157 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007 due to an increase in cost of sales of £143 million, from £1,534 million to £1,677 million and an increase in marketing costs of £17 million, from £626 million to £643 million, offset by a decrease in other operating expenses of £3 million, from £556 million to £553 million. The impact of exchange rate movements increased total operating costs by £1 million.

Post employment plans

Post employment costs for the six months ended 31 December 2007 of £25 million (2006 — £28 million) comprised amounts charged to operating profit of £48 million (2006 — £52 million) and finance income of £23 million (2006 — £24 million).

At 31 December 2007, Diageo’s deficit before taxation for all post employment plans was £385 million (30 June 2007 — £419 million). The decrease in the deficit is primarily a result of higher returns on assets for the UK pension plans offset by an increase in the inflation assumption.

Operating profit

Reported operating profit for the six months ended 31 December 2007 increased by £108 million to £1,414 million from £1,306 million in the comparable prior period. Exchange rate movements reduced operating profit for the six months ended 31 December 2007 by £13 million.

Net finance charges

Net finance charges increased by £58 million from £98 million in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £156 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007.

The net interest charge increased by £37 million from £120 million in the prior year to £157 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007. This increase principally resulted from the increase in net borrowings in the period and maturing US dollar fixed debt being refinanced at higher market rates and the increase in average floating rates on euro and sterling denominated debt. Exchange rate movements reduced the net interest charge by £3 million.

Other net finance income of £1 million (2006 — £22 million) included income of £23 million (2006 - £24 million) in respect of the group’s post employment plans. Other finance charges in the six months to 31 December 2007 include £2 million (2006 — £4 million income) in respect of exchange rate translation differences on inter-company funding arrangements that do not meet the accounting criteria for recognition in equity, £5 million (2006 — nil) in respect of exchange movements on net borrowings not in a hedge relationship and therefore recognised in the income statement, £8 million (2006 — £6 million) unwinding of discounts on liabilities and £7 million (2006 — nil) on the conversion of cash transferred out of Diageo subsidiaries in countries where exchange controls are in place.

Associates

The group’s share of profits of associates after interest and tax was £105 million for the six months ended 31 December 2007 compared to £91 million in the comparable period last year. Diageo’s 34% equity interest in Moët Hennessy contributed £96 million to share of profits of associates after interest and tax (2006 — £84 million).

Profit before taxation

Profit before tax increased by £69 million from £1,299 million to £1,368 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007, primarily as a result of increased operating profit, offset by higher net finance charges in the period.

Taxation

The tax charge is based upon the estimate of the tax rate expected for the full financial year.

The reported tax rate for the six months ended 31 December 2007 is 26% compared with 28.3% for the six months ended 31 December 2006. Factors that led to a higher reported tax rate for the six months ended 31 December 2006 were a provision for the settlement of tax liabilities relating to the Guinness/GrandMet merger and a reduction in the carrying value of deferred tax assets.

Exchange rates

The estimated effect of exchange rate movements on the results for the six months ended 31 December 2007 as compared with the results for the six months ended 31 December 2006 is as follows:

		Gains/(losses)
		£ million
Operating profit
Translation impact			(20	)
Transaction impact			7
Associates
Translation impact			3
Transaction impact			—
Interest and other finance charges
Translation impact — interest			3
Net exchange movements on short term inter-company loans			(6	)
Net exchange movements on undesignated net debt			(5	)
Total exchange effect on profit before taxation			(18	)

		Six months ended				Six months ended
		31 December 2007				31 December 2006
Exchange rates
Translation US$/£ rate			2.03				1.91
Translation €/£ rate			1.43				1.48
Transaction US$/£ rate			1.88				1.87
Transaction €/£ rate			1.41				1.44

The weakening of the US dollar had adverse translation and transaction effects on operating profit and a favourable impact on US dollar denominated interest charges.

Outlook for the impact of exchange rate movements:

Based on current exchange rates, it is estimated that exchange rate movements for the year ending 30 June 2008 will not have a material impact on operating profit or the interest charge excluding the exchange impact of re-translating trading and short term inter-company loans under IAS 21 and excluding the impact of IAS 39.

Dividend

An interim dividend of 13.20 pence per share will be paid to holders of ordinary shares and ADR’s on the register on 7 March 2008. This represents an increase of 5.2% on last year’s interim dividend. The interim dividend will be paid to shareholders on 7 April 2008. Payment to US ADR holders will be made on 11 April 2008. A dividend reinvestment plan is available in respect of the interim dividend and the plan notice date is 17 March 2008.

Cash flow

		Six months ended				Six months ended
		31 December 2007				31 December 2006
		£ million				£ million
Cash generated from operations			830				914
Interest paid (net)			(140	)			(104	)
Dividends paid to minority interests			(37	)			(22	)
Taxation			(118	)			(72	)
Net sale of businesses and other investments			6				1
Net capital expenditure			(105	)			(45	)
Free cash flow			436				672

Cash generated from operations decreased from £914 million to £830 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007 principally as a result of cash outflows in relation to working capital which were £192 million greater than in the prior period. This increase was principally due to increased inventory levels, including higher maturing spirit stocks and higher receivables including the impact of some later phasing of sales in the period. Net capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment increased £60 million to £105 million in the period, the biggest drivers being the capital investment in the new distillery in Scotland in the period and disposal proceeds of £30 million relating to Park Royal received in the six months ended 31 December 2006. The decrease in cash generated from operations, increased interest payments and increased capital expenditure resulted in a reduction in free cash flow of £236 million to £436 million from £672 million in the prior period.

In the six months ended 31 December 2007, Diageo purchased 46.4 million shares as part of the share buyback programme (2006 — 72.8 million shares) at a cost including fees of £492 million (2006 — £704 million). Net payments to acquire shares for employee share schemes totalled £85 million (2006 — £48 million). Equity dividends of £523 million were paid during the period (2006 — £524 million). In the six months ended 31 December 2007, Diageo made no investments in business acquisitions (2006 — £20 million).

Diageo continues to target a range of ratios which are currently broadly consistent with an A band credit rating.

Balance sheet

At 31 December 2007, total equity was £4,051 million compared with £4,170 million at 30 June 2007. This decrease was mainly due to the dividend paid out of shareholders’ equity of £523 million and the shares repurchased for cancellation of £492 million, partly offset by the profit for the period of £1,014 million.

Net borrowings were £5,724 million at 31 December 2007, an increase of £879 million from net borrowings at 30 June 2007 of £4,845 million. The principal components of this increase were the payments of £492 million as part of the share buyback programme, £85 million net repurchase of own shares for share schemes, adverse exchange rate movements of £227 million and a £523 million equity dividend paid offset by free cash inflow of £436 million.

Economic profit

Economic profit increased by £62 million from £515 million in the six months ended 31 December 2006 to £577 million in the six months ended 31 December 2007. See page 38 for the calculation and definition of economic profit.

DIAGEO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

						Six months ended				Six months ended
						31 December 2007				31 December 2006
		Notes				£ million				£ million
Sales			2				5,667				5,358
Excise duties							(1,380	)			(1,336	)
Net sales							4,287				4,022
Cost of sales							(1,677	)			(1,534	)
Gross profit							2,610				2,488
Marketing expenses							(643	)			(626	)
Other operating expenses							(553	)			(556	)
Operating profit			2				1,414				1,306
Sale of businesses			3				5				—
Net interest payable			4				(157	)			(120	)
Net other finance income			4				1				22
Share of associates’ profits after tax							105				91
Profit before taxation							1,368				1,299
Taxation			5				(354	)			(367	)
Profit for the period							1,014				932
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent company							975				895
Minority interests							39				37
							1,014				932
Pence per share
Basic earnings							37.6p				32.8p
Diluted earnings							37.4p				32.6p
Average shares							2,590m				2,725m

DIAGEO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE

		Six months				Six months
		ended				ended
		31 December				31 December
		2007				2006
		£ million				£ million
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations excluding borrowings			239				(254	)
Exchange differences on borrowings and derivative net investment hedges			(212	)			171
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
— (Losses)/gains taken to equity			(16	)			15
— Transferred to income statement			(46	)			25
Actuarial gains on post employment plans			23				13
Tax on items taken directly to equity			2				(17	)
Net expense recognised directly in equity			(10	)			(47	)
Profit for the period			1,014				932
Total recognised income and expense for the period			1,004				885
Attributable to:
— equity shareholders of the parent company			958				856
— minority interests			46				29
Total recognised income and expense for the period			1,004				885

DIAGEO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

						31 December 2007								30 June 2007								31 December 2006
		Notes				£ million				£ million				£ million				£ million				£ million				£ million
Non-current assets
Intangible assets							4,440								4,383								4,399
Property, plant and equipment							2,008								1,932								1,889
Biological assets							2								12								3
Investments in associates							1,682								1,436								1,405
Other investments							124								128								72
Other receivables							19								17								14
Other financial assets							82								52								51
Deferred tax assets							694								771								837
Post employment benefit assets							20								38								17
											9,071								8,769								8,687
Current assets
Inventories			6				2,695								2,465								2,474
Trade and other receivables							2,541								1,759								2,183
Other financial assets							69								78								87
Cash and cash equivalents			7				811								885								975
											6,116								5,187								5,719
Total assets											15,187								13,956								14,406
Current liabilities
Borrowings and bank overdrafts			7				(1,372	)							(1,535	)							(1,279	)
Other financial liabilities							(99	)							(43	)							(24	)
Trade and other payables							(2,180	)							(1,888	)							(2,021	)
Corporate tax payable							(799	)							(673	)							(788	)
Provisions							(64	)							(60	)							(66	)
											(4,514	)							(4,199	)							(4,178	)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings			7				(5,154	)							(4,132	)							(4,222	)
Other financial liabilities							(96	)							(104	)							(82	)
Other payables							(31	)							(38	)							(11	)
Provisions							(278	)							(274	)							(287	)
Deferred tax liabilities							(658	)							(582	)							(560	)
Post employment benefit liabilities							(405	)							(457	)							(776	)
											(6,622	)							(5,587	)							(5,938	)
Total liabilities											(11,136	)							(9,786	)							(10,116	)
Net assets											4,051								4,170								4,290
Equity
Called up share capital							832								848								868
Share premium							1,342								1,341								1,340
Other reserves							3,175								3,186								3,135
Retained deficit							(1,505	)							(1,403	)							(1,242	)
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company											3,844								3,972								4,101
Minority interests											207								198								189
Total equity			9								4,051								4,170								4,290

DIAGEO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

		Six months ended								Six months ended
		31 December 2007								31 December 2006
		£ million				£ million				£ million				£ million
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period			1,014								932
Taxation			354								367
Share of associates’ profits after taxation			(105	)							(91	)
Net interest and other net finance income			156								98
Gains on sale of businesses			(5	)							—
Depreciation and amortisation			109								104
Movements in working capital			(707	)							(515	)
Dividend income			7								7
Other			7								12
Cash generated from operations							830								914
Interest received							53								21
Interest paid							(193	)							(125	)
Dividends paid to minority interests							(37	)							(22	)
Taxation paid							(118	)							(72	)
Net cash from operating activities							535								716
Cash flows from investing activities
Disposal of property, plant and equipment			19								39
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(124	)							(84	)
Net disposal of other investments			6								1
Disposal of businesses			4								—
Purchase of businesses			—								(20	)
Net cash outflow from investing activities							(95	)							(64	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net purchase of own shares for share schemes			(85	)							(48	)
Own shares repurchased			(492	)							(704	)
Net increase in loans			580								900
Equity dividends paid			(523	)							(524	)
Net cash used in financing activities							(520	)							(376	)
Net (decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents							(80	)							276
Exchange differences							12								(28	)
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period							839								651
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the period							771								899
Net cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash and cash equivalents							811								975
Bank overdrafts							(40	)							(76	)
							771								899

NOTES

1. Basis of preparation

These condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as endorsed and adopted for use in the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the Financial Services Authority. These condensed consolidated financial statements are also prepared in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This interim condensed consolidated financial information is unaudited and has been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those applied in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2007.

The following interpretations, issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), are effective for the first time in the current financial year and have been adopted by the group with no significant impact on its consolidated results or financial position:

IFRIC 10 — Interim financial reporting and impairment (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 November 2006).

IFRIC 11 — Group and treasury share transactions (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 March 2007)

The following standards and interpretations, issued by the IASB or IFRIC, have not yet been adopted by the group:

Amendment to IAS 1 — Presentation of financial statements: capital disclosures (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2007). The amendment to IAS 1 requires additional disclosures in the Annual Report on the objectives, policies and processes for managing capital. Appropriate additional disclosures will be included in the 2008 Annual Report.

Amendment to IAS 23 — Borrowing costs (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). The amendment to IAS 23 generally eliminates the option to expense borrowing costs attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as incurred and instead requires the capitalisation of such borrowing costs as part of the cost of specific assets. The group is currently assessing the impact of the amendment on the results and net assets of the group.

IFRS 8 — Operating segments (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). IFRS 8 contains requirements for the disclosure of information about an entity’s operating segments and also about the entity’s products and services, the geographical areas in which it operates, and its major customers. The standard is concerned only with disclosure and replaces IAS 14 — Segment reporting. The group is currently assessing the impact this standard would have on the presentation of its consolidated results.

IFRIC 12 — Service concession arrangements (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2008)

IFRIC 13 — Customer loyalty programmes (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2008)

IFRIC 14 — IAS 19 — The limit on a defined benefit asset, minimum funding requirements and their interaction (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2008)

The group does not currently believe the adoption of the interpretations would have a material impact on the consolidated results or financial position of the group. The amendment to IAS 23, IFRIC 12, IFRIC 13 and IFRIC 14 have not yet been endorsed or adopted for use in the European Union.

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 30 June 2007 are not the company’s statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the company’s auditors and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.

2. Business and geographical analyses

Business analysis is presented under the categories of Diageo North America, Diageo Europe, Diageo International, Diageo Asia Pacific and Corporate, reflecting the group’s management and internal reporting structure. The Diageo Asia Pacific business was established in January 2007. The results for the period ended 31 December 2006 have been revised for the new reporting structure.

Business analysis:

		Six months ended								Six months ended
		31 December 2007								31 December 2006
						Operating								Operating
		Sales				profit/(loss)				Sales				profit/(loss)
		£ million				£ million				£ million				£ million
North America			1,546				491				1,543				486
Europe			2,217				509				2,122				484
International			1,277				347				1,070				298
Asia Pacific			582				99				585				115
			5,622				1,446				5,320				1,383
Corporate			45				(32	)			38				(77	)
			5,667				1,414				5,358				1,306