Diageo plc Stock Outlook December 2025: Profit Warning, New CEO and What Comes Next for DGE & DEO

As the London Stock Exchange prepares to open on Monday 17 November 2025, Diageo plc is squarely in the spotlight. After a brutal guidance cut, a decade‑low share price and the appointment of turnaround specialist Sir Dave Lewis as CEO, the owner of Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff is entering a crucial new chapter.

Diageo shares surged after the Guinness and Johnnie Walker owner confirmed that Sir Dave Lewis—renowned for his turnaround at Tesco and a long career at Unilever—has been appointed chief executive. The news lifted confidence that Diageo can accelerate cost discipline and brand execution after a tough year. In response, the stock rose around 7%, making it one of the FTSE 100’s top gainers today. Reuters+1

Diageo’s share price has had a turbulent 2025, plunging nearly one-third year-to-date amid repeated disappointments. As of October 30, 2025, the stock traded around 1,755–1,760 pence, roughly flat with the prior day’s close after a modest mid-week uptick. That leaves the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness beer down over 30% for the year – a stark contrast to the broader market upswing. In fact, Diageo has been one of the FTSE 100’s laggards, having lost about 30% of its value in 2025 alone. Investors who cheered a brief 6.5% share bounce after summer earnings saw those gains fizzle out by autumn, as macroeconomic worries returned.