Jameson-maker Pernod Ricard's annual sales fall 1% in line with estimates

Pernod's net sales in the US declined by 9% and it saw an even steeper 10% drop in China

Bottles of Jameson whiskey, Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg

France's Pernod Ricard reported a 1% fall in full-year organic sales on Thursday, largely in line with forecasts and its own guidance, as it managed to mostly offset deep problems in its key US and Chinese businesses.

The Western spirits maker, whose brands include Absolut Vodka and Jameson, maintained its full-year forecast in April even as sales in two of its largest markets faltered, banking on an uptick in demand in the fourth quarter.