Asahi Group Holdings is to pay $2.3bn for Diageo’s business in Kenya, which includes the UK group’s majority stake in East African Breweries. The Super Dry brewer is buying Diageo’s 65% stake in East African Breweries (EABL) and its 53.7% shareholding in Kenyan spirits group UDVK. Earlier this year, it was reported Diageo had hired banking advisers to carry out a review of EABL, which markets beer brands including Tusker and Serengeti Lager. Asahi said the business “offers high growth potential and sta ...

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is included among the 11 Worst Performing Dividend Stocks Year-to-Date. UBS Downgrades Diageo (DEO), Flags Risks in U.S. Spirits Market On December 3, UBS downgraded Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) to Neutral from Buy and also trimmed the stock’s price target to 1,850 GBp from 2,250 GBp. The analyst noted the stock’s share price decline this year and sees continued downside risks in the US spirits market. UBS also questions the likelihood of outperformance in the first half, highlighting weak ...

In this article, we will take a look at some of the worst-performing stocks that pay dividends.Dividend stocks, though popular among long-term investors, often trail the broader market. Even this year, the Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks the performance of companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend growth, surged by nearly 4% since the start of 2025, compared with a 16.6% return of the broader market. That said, dividend stocks have previously shown less volatility in comparison to ot ...

Company Overview - Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is an alcoholic beverage company known for brands such as Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff [2] - The company is facing challenges as younger consumers are drinking less, indicating a secular shift in the alcoholic beverages industry [2] Performance Insights - Jim Cramer highlighted that Diageo's organic growth is currently at minus 7.5%, which is a significant decline [3] - Cramer has previously described Diageo as a "horrendous stock" and expressed a preference for other investment opportunities over Diageo [2][3] Market Trends - There is a notable decrease in alcohol consumption in both the US and China, which is impacting Diageo's performance [3] - The overall sentiment in the market suggests that some AI stocks may offer better investment potential compared to Diageo [3]

Core Insights - The 2026 World Class U.S. program, starting on November 12, 2025, marks a new chapter focused on education, community, and the future of hospitality [1][4] - DIAGEO North America and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation are collaborating to evolve the World Class U.S. program into a year-round initiative aimed at empowering bartenders through professional development and community engagement [2][3] Program Details - Applications for the 2026 competition will open on November 12, 2025, allowing bartenders of all levels to compete for the title of 2026 U.S. Bartender of the Year and a chance to represent the U.S. at the global finals in Dubai [4][13] - The partnership will introduce mentorship opportunities, expanded participation roles, and workshops designed to foster community among bartenders [3][5] Event Highlights - Each of the Top 15 finalists will receive a VIP pass to Tales Of The Cocktail 2026, which includes immersive tastings and expert-led education [5] - Key dates for the competition include application submission by January 12, 2026, announcement of the Top 100 in early March, and the national finals in Spring 2026 [13] Organizational Background - Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the hospitality industry through education and community support, hosting an annual conference in New Orleans [8] - DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol, with a diverse portfolio of brands sold in over 180 countries [9]

Core Insights - The global beer, wine, and spirits industry has experienced a significant decline, with a total market value loss of $830 billion over the past four years, representing a 46% drop from its peak in June 2021 [1][2]. Industry Challenges - Shifting drinking patterns and rising health concerns are negatively impacting earnings, alongside external factors such as US tariffs, high interest rates affecting consumer spending, and elevated commodity prices [2][3]. - In China, weak household confidence and a ban on alcohol for official functions have further contributed to the industry's downturn [2][4]. Company Performance - Major companies like Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Remy Cointreau have seen their stock prices hit decade-low levels, while Kweichow Moutai is trading over 40% below its 2021 high [4][5]. - The industry is facing pressure not only from declining revenues but also from high levels of debt and management turnover as companies adapt to changing market dynamics [5]. Changing Consumer Behavior - A Gallup survey indicates that US alcohol consumption has reached its lowest level since 1939, influenced by health warnings from organizations like the World Health Organization and changing preferences among younger generations [6][8]. - The trend of celebrities promoting non-alcoholic beverages and the rise of alternatives such as cannabis and weight-loss drugs are further impacting traditional alcohol sales [7][8].

Core Insights - Seneca House Advisors has completely exited its position in Diageo, selling 35,043 shares for approximately $3.53 million in Q3 2025, resulting in zero exposure to the company [1][2]. Company Overview - Diageo reported a total revenue of $20.25 billion and a net income of $2.35 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4]. - The company's dividend yield stands at 4.37%, with shares priced at $95.41 as of October 9, 2025 [4]. - Diageo has a diverse portfolio of alcoholic beverages, including brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness, and operates in various international markets [5][6]. Market Performance - As of October 9, 2025, Diageo's shares have decreased by 29.08% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 45.04 percentage points [3]. - The alcoholic beverage industry has faced challenges, with declining beer and wine sales and a reported decrease in alcohol consumption among Americans [9]. Industry Challenges - Diageo has been adversely affected by geopolitical factors and tariff policies, estimating a loss of around $150 million in profits due to tariffs on imports from Europe and the U.K. [7]. - The overall trend in the alcoholic beverage industry indicates a potential long-term shift in consumer behavior, which may require Diageo to adapt its strategies moving forward [9].

Core Viewpoint - The World Class competition, now in its 16th year, showcases the best bartenders from 51 countries, highlighting the global cocktail culture and recognizing exceptional talent in the industry [1][3]. Group 1: Competition Highlights - Felice Capasso from Norway won the title of "2025 World Class Global Bartender of the Year" at the prestigious cocktail competition held in Toronto [3]. - The competition featured participants from six continents, with Capasso standing out through a series of innovative cocktail creations [3][4]. - Capasso's achievements include a trophy, a free trip to the global finals next year, mentorship from industry leaders, and opportunities to guest bartend at top bars [3][4]. Group 2: Challenges and Innovations - During the competition, Capasso participated in various challenging events, including the Johnnie Walker Black Label innovation challenge, where he creatively modified a classic gin recipe [4]. - He drew inspiration from an original AI artwork for a tequila aperitif in the Don Julio 1942 challenge, showcasing his ability to blend art and mixology [4]. - Capasso's cocktail "Between Us" was inspired by the classic song "That's Amore," demonstrating his unique approach to creating sensory experiences [4]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The World Class platform aims to honor the core strengths of the bar service industry and has supported the professional development of over 450,000 bartenders globally [6][10]. - The judging panel consisted of renowned bartenders and industry leaders, emphasizing the competition's credibility and the high standards of evaluation [6][7]. - The event serves as a celebration of creativity and passion within the bartending community, inspiring new generations of talent [7]. Group 4: Company Background - Diageo, the parent company of the World Class competition, is a global leader in the alcoholic beverage industry, with a portfolio of well-known brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness [11]. - Diageo operates in nearly 180 countries, emphasizing responsible drinking and promoting a culture of quality over quantity in beverage consumption [11][10].

Market Overview - Volatility has returned to Wall Street, with major indexes losing gains over the past couple of months due to uncertainty over the next rate cut and the impact of President Trump's tariffs on consumer sentiment [1][8] - Consumer sentiment fell in July, with the University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index dropping to 58.6% from 61.7% in June, missing analysts' expectations [4][10] Consumer Sentiment and Inflation - Households are expecting prices of goods to rise due to higher tariffs, leading to a decline in consumer sentiment [5][10] - Short-term inflation expectations worsened, with the projected 12-month inflation outlook rising to 4.9% in July from 4.5% in June, and the five-year inflation outlook increasing to 3.9% from 3.4% [5] Investment Recommendations - Given the current market conditions, it may be wise to focus on safe-haven stocks such as utilities and consumer staples, with Fortis, Inc. (FTS), New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR), ONE Gas, Inc. (OGS), and Diageo plc (DEO) highlighted as attractive options [2][10] - These recommended stocks are categorized as low-beta stocks (beta greater than 0 but less than 1) with high dividend yields and favorable Zacks Ranks [3] Company Profiles Fortis, Inc. - Engaged in the electric and gas utility business, operating primarily in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean [9] - Expected earnings growth rate of 4.6% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 3.51% [11] New Jersey Resources Corporation - An energy services holding company providing natural gas and clean energy services [12] - Expected earnings growth rate of 12% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 1 and a current dividend yield of 3.83% [13] ONE Gas, Inc. - A regulated natural gas distribution utility serving over 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas [14] - Expected earnings growth rate of 10.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 3.54% [14] Diageo plc - Operates in approximately 180 countries, producing and distributing spirits, wine, and beer [15] - Expected earnings growth rate of 3.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 2.87% [16]

Core Insights - Sin stocks, representing companies in industries like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling, have consistently outperformed broader markets due to strong cash flows and inelastic demand [2][4][11] Industry Overview - The U.S. alcoholic beverages market is projected to grow from $544.19 billion in 2024 to $709.13 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.4% [8] - The global tobacco market is expected to increase from $921.4 billion in 2024 to $1,198.4 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 2.3% from 2025 to 2035 [9] - The global online gambling market was valued at $78.66 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2025 to 2030 [10] Company Insights - Molson Coors (TAP) is focusing on market share growth through innovation and premiumization in the alcohol sector [7] - Boyd Gaming (BYD) is enhancing growth through property upgrades and strategic investments in the gambling industry [7] - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is transforming towards a smoke-free future, aiming for a majority of its revenue from reduced-risk products by 2030 [13][15] - MGM Resorts International (MGM) is well-positioned to capitalize on the recovery of the gaming and tourism industries, with a strong digital strategy through BetMGM [17][18] - Diageo Plc (DEO) is focusing on premiumization and innovation, with a strong portfolio of iconic brands and a strategy to enhance direct-to-consumer engagement [20][21][22]