Guinness growth boosts Diageo but Irish sales flat

Drinks company Diageo which owns Guinness, Smirnoff and Baileys has said sales in the first half of its financial year in Ireland were flat but that its overall performance globally produced better-than-expected results, writes Pádraig Hoare.

Shares in the world’s largest spirits maker were largely unchanged as it said sales of Guinness rose 4% globally in the six months to the end of December.