Diageo, the world's largest drinks group, has reported a 9% rise in full-year profits with increased sales of Smirnoff products, but Guinness sales in Ireland continue their fall.
Guinness sales fell 2.7% this year after falling 4% last year. Guinness attributed the slightly stronger performance to the rollout of Guinness draught extra cold, the Witness concerts and sponsorship of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
London-based Diageo, which also owns Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker scotch, said its after-tax profit before goodwill and exceptionals rose to £1.45bn stg in the year ended June 30 led by strong spirits sales.
In Ireland its volume was flat, but operating profit grew by 11% with Baileys and Smirnoff performing well.
Carlsberg sales were down, Smithwich sales were flat. Budweiser sales were up 3% with high profile marketing initiatives, such as 'Whassup' and the lizard ads have driven this growth.
Smirnoff, which has the Smirnoff Ice trademark, grew by 9% while Baileys increased by over 20%. Blossom Hill grew at 4%, while Santa Rita, a Chilean win grew by 55%.
The company was also happy with the newly built Guinness Storehouse, which cost 38m euro, where visitor numbers were up 11%.
The company said the unprofitable Burger King unit - which it wants to sell - is being hurt by the slowdown in Europe and a cut in new restaurant openings in the current year. No improvement is expected until the second half of this year, Diageo said.
The company's shares have lost almost 8 percent this year.
