Celine Pannuti's questions to Diageo PLC (DEO) leadership • H2 2025
Question
Celine Pannuti from JPMorgan Chase & Co. questioned the specific regional drivers for the cautious H1 outlook, particularly in China, and sought details on the sources of organic EBIT margin expansion beyond cost savings.
Answer
Interim CEO & Director Nik Jhangiani explained the cautious H1 outlook is due to the US consumer environment and challenges in China, though he hopes for improvement in H2. He stated that EBIT expansion beyond savings will be driven by optimizing trade investment and A&P spend for better returns and reducing non-working marketing dollars. He also noted low single-digit COGS inflation is being offset by productivity.