London, Feb 5, 2026, 09:54 GMT — Regular session
- After surging sharply yesterday, Diageo shares edged up again in early London trading
- Even with this week’s rebound, the stock remains far from its one-year high
- Attention shifts to Diageo’s interim results due late February, along with new remarks from the management team
Diageo shares inched 0.17% higher to 1,777 pence during early trading in London on Thursday. The company’s RNS feed showed no new announcements for the day. (London South East)
The slight shift hides a bigger issue looming over the stock: can the world’s largest spirits maker prove demand is steadying and that its turnaround efforts are gaining ground before its half-year earnings come out in February?
Shares climbed 4.54% on Wednesday, closing at 17.74 pounds—well ahead of the FTSE 100’s 0.85% gain. Still, Diageo’s stock ended the day roughly 24% off its 52-week peak of 23.38 pounds. (MarketWatch)
This gap is precisely why the upcoming update is crucial. Investors see Diageo as a bellwether for premium spirits demand and consumer spending, particularly in the U.S., its largest market.
Dave Lewis, who stepped in as CEO this January following his late last year appointment, has pledged a sense of urgency. “We think this is a good move,” noted RBC Capital Markets analyst James Edwardes Jones at the time. Lewis himself acknowledged, “The market faces some headwinds but there are also significant opportunities.” (Reuters)
The rebound might not hold up. In November, Diageo trimmed its fiscal 2026 outlook, citing softer demand in the U.S. and China, with sales expected to be flat or down slightly. Interim CEO Nik Jhangiani warned, “There’s much more for us to do, and we need to go faster.” (Reuters)
Traders will next focus on volumes compared to “price/mix”—a quick way to see if sales growth stems from higher prices and premium products instead of simply moving more bottles—and whether spirits demand is settling back after a rough period.
Diageo announced it will release interim results for the half-year ending Dec. 31, 2025, on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The company will host a webcast at 0705 UK time, followed by a Q&A session at 0930 UK time. (Diageo)
