Core Insights - The 2026 edition of World Class India by Diageo showcases the strongest representation from Tier 2 cities, with Pune leading the list and other cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Indore, and Dehradun also well represented alongside metropolitan areas [1][3] - The competition highlights a growing confidence among bartenders, driven by sustained investment in education and skill-building, with a notable increase in female participation, now at 14% of the total shortlisted [1][3][6] Geographic Representation - The Top 100 features a diverse geographic spread, with the West leading with 27 bartenders, followed by the South with 22, North with 20, and East with 11; Sri Lanka and Nepal each contribute 10 bartenders [3] - This year marks the highest number of women bartenders in the platform's history, reflecting a year-on-year growth supported by initiatives like Diageo's 'Our Hive' [3][6] Bartending Trends - Bartenders are reinterpreting classic cocktails, with Sours being the most common starting point, followed by Highballs, Old Fashioneds, and Rob Roy-style cocktails [4][5] - Local ingredients and culinary approaches are increasingly influencing bartending techniques, showcasing a blend of classic structure with expressive flavors [2][4] Ingredients and Flavors - Key ingredients highlighted in the submissions include Banana, Jaggery, Toasted Rice, and Mushroom, with a focus on sweeteners, spices, and herbal elements [1][5][6] - Regional flavor preferences include Sours in North India, Highballs in South and East India, Rob Roy-style cocktails in West India, and Old Fashioneds in Sri Lanka [5][6] Upcoming Events - The Top 100 bartenders will compete in four Regional Finals, narrowing down to the Top 16, with World Class Cocktail Festivals scheduled in Mumbai and Gurgaon in February and March [7][12] - The ultimate goal is to crown one bartender as India's World Class Champion, who will represent the region at the Global Finals in September 2026 [8]

Core Insights - Greystone Logistics has launched an innovative initiative called "Palletrip" aimed at revolutionizing pallet supply chain management through advanced cellular-based tracking and tailored rental and lease programs [1][2]. Group 1: Palletrip Initiative - The "Palletrip" program features a lightweight recycled plastic pallet equipped with cellular tracking, specifically designed for closed-loop transfers [2]. - This initiative addresses common issues associated with traditional pallets, such as product damage, loss, and high repair costs, while offering a "Pallet-as-a-Service" leasing model [2][3]. Group 2: Benefits and Features - CEO Warren Kruger highlighted that Palletrip optimizes pallet flows, enhances product quality, and improves safety through real-time visibility of location, impact, temperature, and movement history [3]. - The program allows integration with existing RFID systems, offers flexible leasing options without capital expenditure, and includes full management and maintenance services, thereby reducing costs and waste [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Greystone Logistics is a green manufacturing company specializing in recycled plastic pallets, serving various industries including food and beverage, automotive, and pharmaceuticals [4]. - The company utilizes proprietary technology to produce high-quality pallets efficiently and cost-effectively, providing a sustainable alternative to virgin resin [4].

Core Viewpoint - Diageo is exploring options for its business in China, including its majority stake in Sichuan Swellfun Co, and has engaged Goldman Sachs and UBS for asset review [1] Group 1: Business Operations in China - Diageo's principal activities in Greater China include distilling, warehousing, and marketing of Chinese whisky and white spirits, with ownership of one distillery and a 63% stake in Sichuan Swellfun Co [2] - In the last financial year ending June 30, Diageo reported an 8.4% organic increase in sales volumes in Greater China, although net sales fell by 9% organically [2] Group 2: Market Challenges - The company cited "challenging economic conditions" in its annual report, leading to a portfolio shift towards white spirits and lower-aged malts, which improved volumes but resulted in a negative price/mix [3] - Diageo's white spirits business faced reduced consumption occasions in the baijiu market after a year of strong double-digit growth [3] Group 3: Financial Adjustments and Disposals - In November, Diageo lowered its sales and profit forecasts due to pressures in the Chinese white spirits market and a soft consumer environment in the US [4] - Recent disposals include the sale of its stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries and Cacique rum, with plans to save around $500 million in costs over the next three years [5] Group 4: Leadership Changes - Sir Dave Lewis, a former Tesco and Unilever executive, became Diageo's CEO on January 1, succeeding Debra Crew [6]

Core Viewpoint - Bia Tosha, a former distributor for Diageo in Kenya, is seeking to block the sale of Diageo's stake in its Kenyan business to Asahi due to unresolved legal issues with Diageo's operations in the country [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Actions - Bia Tosha has applied for an ex parte injunction to halt the stake sale, which was refused by the court as it requested to hear from both parties involved [1]. - The legal action stems from a case dating back to 2016 against East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and its subsidiary Kenya Breweries, related to a dispute over a distribution contract [2]. Group 2: Business Transactions - Asahi has agreed to pay $2.3 billion for Diageo's business in Kenya, which includes a majority stake in East African Breweries [3]. - The sale marks Diageo's exit from its final beer production asset in Africa, a move anticipated by industry analysts following previous disposals in the region [3]. Group 3: Market Context - Asahi's acquisition raised questions due to its limited presence in the African market, which is largely dominated by competitors such as Heineken and Castel [4].

Core Viewpoint - A Kenyan beer distribution firm is attempting to block Diageo's $2.3 billion sale of its local subsidiary EABL to Japan's Asahi Holdings due to ongoing litigation [1] Group 1 - The Kenyan beer distribution firm has filed a case at Kenya's High Court [1] - The case is aimed at preventing the sale of EABL, which is a subsidiary of Diageo [1] - The sale is valued at $2.3 billion [1] Group 2 - The litigation is cited as the reason for the attempt to block the sale [1] - Asahi Holdings is the prospective buyer of EABL [1]

Core Insights - The 12th edition of World Class India by Diageo is expanding to include bartenders from South Asia, reflecting the rapid diversification of India's cocktail culture [1][7] - The role of bartenders in India has evolved significantly, with a focus on ingredient-led menus and disciplined service, matching global standards [3] - World Class India emphasizes education, mentorship, and flavour-led thinking, moving away from spectacle to enhance the quality of bar experiences [5][10] Industry Developments - The bar scene in India is increasingly shaped by neighbourhood cocktail spots and bartender-owned spaces, focusing on flavour clarity and guest experiences [1] - The programme aims to create common standards and global recognition for Indian bartenders, helping them gain visibility and acknowledgment [4][10] - The 2026 edition includes an extensive roadshow across 11 cities, engaging bartenders through hands-on workshops and discussions [8] Company Initiatives - Diageo India is committed to improving the bar culture by providing training and exposure through the World Class programme, which translates competition experiences into higher-quality consumer experiences [10] - The programme is shaped by its alumni, with past winners returning as mentors, fostering a cycle of knowledge and skill development within local bar ecosystems [6] - Diageo India operates one of the largest manufacturing footprints in alcobev in India, with a focus on sustainability and responsible consumption [12]

Core Viewpoint - Artisan Value Fund's third-quarter 2025 investor letter indicates that the equity market rally continued, driven by strong corporate earnings, increased AI investment, and favorable US fiscal policies, despite challenges such as tariffs [1]. Fund Performance - The Artisan Value Fund's Investor Class ARTLX, Advisor Class APDLX, and Institutional Class APHLX returned 0.83%, 0.91%, and 0.90% respectively in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 1000 Value Index, which returned 5.33% [1]. Stock Highlights - Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) was highlighted in the fund's investor letter, showing a one-month return of 3.14% and a 52-week gain of 34.20%, with a closing stock price of $161.05 and a market capitalization of $250.7 billion as of December 26, 2025 [2]. Sector Performance - The fund noted that stock selection was broadly negative across sectors in Q3, particularly in the consumer staples sector, where Philip Morris International Inc. was identified as a laggard contributing to underperformance [3].

Market Overview - Major U.S. index futures indicate a higher open on Monday, with stocks expected to continue the upward trend from the previous sessions [1] - Technology stocks are likely to lead the market, following strong performances last Thursday and Friday [1] Company Highlights - Oracle (ORCL) shares surged by 2.6% in pre-market trading after Wells Fargo reiterated its Overweight rating [1] - Oracle's stock spiked by 6.6% following a memo from TikTok CEO indicating an agreement to sell its U.S. operations to a joint venture including Oracle and Silver Lake [5] - Nvidia (NVDA) shares jumped by 3.9% after reports of plans to ship AI chips to China before the Lunar New Year [6] - Micron Technology also showed strong performance after better-than-expected quarterly results and guidance [5] Economic Indicators - Existing home sales in the U.S. rose by 0.5% to an annual rate of 4.13 million in November, following a 1.5% increase in October [7] - Consumer sentiment index for December was revised down to 52.9 from a preliminary 53.3, still above November's 51.0 [9] Sector Performance - The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed up 301.26 points or 1.3% at 23,307.62, while the S&P 500 rose by 59.74 points or 0.9% to 6,834.50 [4] - Biotechnology stocks performed well, with the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index surging by 3.1% [10] - Gold stocks saw strength, with the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index increasing by 2.7% amid rising gold prices [10] Commodity and Currency Markets - Crude oil futures rose by $1.28 to $57.80 per barrel [12] - Gold futures jumped by $69.50 to $4,456.80 per ounce [12] - The U.S. dollar traded at 157.04 yen, down from 157.75 yen [12]

Market Assessment - The UK is described as a "disappointing market" with world-class companies being "under-owned and undervalued" [1][2] - London is criticized as the "Jurassic Park" of stock exchanges due to its focus on older industries that offer generous dividends but lack rapid growth [2] Investment Trends - A recent Bank of America survey indicated that fund managers were net 24% underweight in UK equities as of December, reflecting a lower allocation to the UK market compared to other countries [3] - Fund managers have only been overweight in UK stocks twice since August 2021 [4] Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Performance - Nearly 90% of the Finsbury Growth & Income Trust's holdings are concentrated in just 10 British stocks, with significant holdings in Sage Group, Experian, and Unilever [5] - The trust has faced its fifth consecutive year of underperformance, with a share price increase of only 2.3% over the 12 months to September, while the FTSE All-Share index rose by 16.2% during the same period [6] Future Outlook - Investors are set to hold a continuation vote regarding the future of the £1 billion trust, which was established 100 years ago [7] - The trust's manager, Nick Train, has increased his personal stake in the trust, believing it to be an advantageous time to buy more shares [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The analyst has assigned a hold rating to Diageo PLC (DGEAF) in June, indicating a desire for more signs of recovery in the core spirits segment before making further investment decisions [1]. Company Analysis - The investment approach focuses on identifying undervalued companies with long-term growth potential, emphasizing a blend of value investing principles and long-term growth [1]. - The strategy involves purchasing quality companies at a discount to their intrinsic value and holding them to allow for compounding of earnings and shareholder returns [1].