DIAGEO GIVES A PREVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR RESULTS

With help from Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, Diageo reported a 6% rise in sales for the year ending June with operating profits up 7%. The announcement came before the publication of Diageo’s fiscal-year results, due later this summer.

Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Wines have performed well in North America, the company said, chalking it up to good advertising.

"Price increases have been successfully implemented on a number of brands as effective marketing campaigns have steadily built the position of the brands with consumers," Diageo said of the North American market.