Campari wants to introduce more Americans to Aperol Spritz and reignite growth at the Italian spirits maker https://t.co/ys9yh0s8KP ...

Core Insights - US spirits sales experienced a decline in October, with volumes down 0.8% year-over-year to 5.2 million nine-litre cases and dollar sales decreasing by 2.1% to $1.14 billion [1] - Over the 12-month period ending in October, total volumes fell by 1.1% to 60.7 million nine-litre cases, while sales by value decreased by 2.2% to $13.34 billion [1] Volume and Dollar Sales Trends - Specific categories such as cachaca, cocktails, cordials, Irish whiskey, and Tequila saw volume sales increases in October, with Irish whiskey up 1.9% to 81,651 nine-litre cases and Tequila up 2.2% to 597,216 nine-litre cases [2] - Despite the volume increases, dollar sales for Irish whiskey and Tequila fell, with Irish whiskey down 0.7% to $28.1 million and Tequila down 1.4% to $209.9 million [3] - Cocktails and Tequila were the only categories to see sales rise in both value and volume over the 12-month period, while all other product areas experienced declines [3] On-Premise Sales Performance - Nearly all 18 control states monitored by NABCA reported declines in spirits sales, although there was a slight increase in on-premise sales volumes, which grew by 0.6% to 823,268 nine-litre cases across 14 states [4] - On-premise sales volumes were still down 1.6% in dollar terms, totaling around $200 million, and showed declines on a 12-month rolling basis of 0.8% in volume and 2.5% in dollar sales [4]

We all want a little treat—even if we’re on a budget. That desire may be partly why big spirits companies are seeing growth in the sales of their smaller bottles of liquor.🎧 WSJ’s Alex Ossola looks at what this trend reveals about consumers: https://t.co/5gfdlhjvur https://t.co/ArtHil3tLX ...

Feragaia has sold a majority stake in its non-alcoholic spirits business to Scottish luxury goods group Chanrossa, the owner of Isle of Raasay whisky. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the sale, Feragaia will join R&B Distillers, Chanrossa's spirits and drinks business which produces Isle of Raasay whisky and gin in western Scotland. According to a joint statement from both companies, the cash injection will help Feragaia scale production and expand around the world. S ...

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is experiencing a significant midday sell-off due to concerns over stretched valuations of AI stocks, the ongoing government shutdown, and weak labor market data [1][11] - All three major indexes are in negative territory, indicating a broad "risk-off" sentiment among investors [1] Major Index Performance - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is down 0.8% or 398.70 points, closing at 46,912.30 [2] - The S&P 500 (SPX) has declined 1.1% to 6,720.32 and further to around 6,652 points, representing a 1.02% loss [2] - The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) has tumbled 1.9% or 445.81 points to 23,053.99, with an additional loss of almost 1% in early trading [2] Investor Sentiment - The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) rose 8.3% to 19.50, indicating increased investor anxiety [3] - The ratio of decliners to advancers on the NYSE is 1.97-to-1 and on the Nasdaq is 2.69-to-1, reflecting negative sentiment [3] Sector Performance - The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) and Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) slipped 2.3% and 2% respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) advanced 1% [3] Global Market Impact - European markets are mirroring the U.S. downturn, with the FTSE 100, CAC 40, and DAX 40 all trading lower due to concerns over U.S. tech valuations [4] Economic Factors - The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its 38th day, is creating a "data vacuum" and increasing investor uncertainty [5] - The absence of crucial economic reports is leading to reliance on private payroll and layoff data, indicating a cooling labor market [5] Corporate Earnings - Constellation Energy (CEG) is set to report earnings, which will be closely watched for insights on AI-driven power demand [6] - NuScale Power (SMR) reported earnings, with a focus on next-generation nuclear deployments [6] Upcoming Events - The IAB Connect H2 conference on December 4th will focus on digital advertising, potentially impacting media and advertising technology sectors [7] Major Stock News - $750 billion has been wiped off major AI stocks this week, with Nvidia (NVDA) falling 2.2% in early trading and down 4.3% since market open [8] - Salesforce Inc. (CRM) dropped 5.3%, while other tech companies like Microsoft (MSFT), Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Broadcom (AVGO), and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are also under pressure [8] International Developments - Rightmove's shares fell 12.5% after announcing increased investment in AI, while IAG saw an 11.5% slump due to soft U.S. travel demand [10]

Financial Performance - Diageo's net sales reached $49 billion, a 2% year-over-year decrease [2] - Organic sales remained flat, although better than analysts anticipated [2] - Sales in China decreased by more than 7% [3] - Organic sales in the US fell nearly 3% [3] Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - Consumers are trading down to cheaper alternatives, impacting premium tequila brands like Don Julio and Casamigos [3] - A clear shift down in quality consumption is observed as consumers tighten their wallets [4] - The premium spirits industry is experiencing a post-pandemic slowdown due to inflation, moderation trends, and tariffs [4] - Gen Z consumers are drinking less, influenced by fitness and health trends [6] - Economic worries affect Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers, impacting beer sales [7] Company Outlook and Leadership - Diageo cut its guidance due to changing consumer behavior [4] - Investors are advised to await further guidance after the holiday season [5] - Diageo's CEO Deborah Crew left in July, and a replacement is yet to be named [5]

Group 1: Political Landscape - Following significant victories for Democrats in the 2025 elections, President Trump will pivot his message towards affordability, highlighting the importance of economic concerns for voters [2][8] Group 2: Company Performance - Diageo has revised its financial guidance downwards due to a notable reduction in spirit sales within China, indicating challenges for international companies in the Chinese consumer market [3][8] Group 3: Foreign Investment and Trade - China's Ministry of Commerce has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equal participation for foreign firms in government procurement processes, aiming to create a more equitable business environment [4][8] Group 4: Technological Collaboration - Mitsubishi Electric and Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) have partnered to develop AI data centers, reflecting the increasing global demand for high-performance computing capabilities [5][8] Group 5: Economic Data - Spain's industrial production increased by 0.4% in September, surpassing estimates, while Switzerland's unemployment rate remained stable at 2.9% [6]

Core Viewpoint - Campari asserts that it is not affected by the ongoing tax dispute involving its controlling shareholder Lagfin, despite the seizure of shares worth €1.3 billion ($1.49 billion) by Italian authorities due to alleged tax evasion [1][3][4]. Group 1: Tax Dispute Details - Italian financial police executed a precautionary seizure of €1.29 billion of shares from Lagfin, claiming that capital gains exceeding €5.3 billion were not declared and taxed as required by law [2]. - The tax dispute has been ongoing for approximately two years and has never involved Campari Group directly [4]. Group 2: Company Statements - Campari Group clarified that the tax litigation does not concern Davide Campari-Milano or its subsidiaries, indicating no expected impact on the company [3]. - Lagfin expressed confidence in its compliance with applicable laws and regulations, asserting that it will defend itself vigorously in legal forums [4]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the news, shares of Campari, known for brands like Aperol and Courvoisier, fell by 3.54% [5].

Automotive Sector - Tesla (TSLA) experienced a dramatic decline in new registrations in Denmark, falling by 86% year-on-year in October, despite an overall increase in car sales and a high adoption rate of electric vehicles in the market, where EVs constituted over 70% of new registrations [3][9] - The Volkswagen Group is gaining significant market share in Denmark, dominating the top 10 list of new registrations [3] Commodity Markets - Aluminum prices are approaching a three-year high, with prices rising to $2,892.55 USD per tonne, representing an 11.04% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by easing US-China tensions and strong demand from sectors like renewable energy and transportation [4][9] Economic Indicators - Switzerland's Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October reported an annual inflation rate of 0.1%, missing the estimated 0.3% and falling from 0.2% in September, indicating persistent low inflationary pressures [5][9] - Sweden's Swedbank/Silf PMI Manufacturing registered 55.1 in October, a slight decrease from the previous month's 55.5, suggesting a moderation in growth momentum while still indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector [6] Corporate Ratings - Goldman Sachs downgraded Remy Cointreau (RCO) to Neutral from Buy, reducing its target price from €65 to €50, citing low visibility for recovery and weak demand for cognac in the United States and China [7][9] - JP Morgan added Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL, GOOG) to its US Analyst Focus List, maintaining an "Overweight" rating and raising its price target for Alphabet to $340 from $300 [8]

Group 1 - European companies are demonstrating remarkable adaptability to U.S. tariff barriers, with a Goldman Sachs portfolio of affected European stocks outperforming the market by approximately 6% in October, double the gain of the Stoxx Europe 600 index [1] - Major European firms like Hermès, Unilever, and Galderma Group AG attribute their better-than-expected performance and raised guidance to strong demand in the U.S. market [1][2] - The frequency of the term "tariff" in earnings calls is decreasing, indicating that corporate management's concerns about tariffs are diminishing [1] Group 2 - The U.S. market has become a key growth driver for many European companies, with Hermès reporting a 14.1% sales increase in its regional markets, and Unilever crediting strong North American demand for its sales performance [2] - Galderma raised its full-year guidance based on strong U.S. sales, while other companies like Haleon Plc and Stellantis also reported unexpected sales growth in North America [2] Group 3 - Companies are adapting to tariff challenges by cutting costs, adjusting production layouts, and increasing investments in the U.S. [3] - Pharmaceutical companies like Novartis and GSK are negotiating with the U.S. government for price reductions in exchange for future tariff exemptions, with AstraZeneca reaching an agreement in October [3] Group 4 - Despite overall optimism, the impact of tariffs is not uniform, with some companies like Rémy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard warning of weaker-than-expected recovery in specific markets [4] - Market sentiment is shifting towards the view that tariffs are manageable, although some analysts caution against premature conclusions regarding their impact [4][5]