Business · 25 February 2026

Diageo cuts sales forecast and halves dividend amid US slump

Guinness and Johnnie Walker maker Diageo has downgraded its annual sales outlook for the second time in four months, now expecting 2026 organic sales to fall 2–3%. US sales dropped 9.3%, with tequila sales down more than 23%. The company more than halved its interim dividend from 40.5 cents to 20 cents per share, sending shares down around 8%. New chief executive Dave Lewis, who took over in January, cited pressure on consumer wallets as the biggest challenge.

By BriefTea Editorial · 25 February 2026 at 18:03

Reported by Reuters · How we write briefs