Diageo Fiscal Year Pretax Profit Rises - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Diageo PLC (DGE.L, DEO) reported pretax profit of 2.93 billion pounds for the year ended 30 June 2015 compared to 2.71 billion pounds, a year ago. Profit to equity shareholders of the parent company - continuing operations - was 2.38 billion pounds compared to 2.33 billion pounds. Earnings per share from continuing operations was 94.6 pence compared to 92.6 pence.

Operating profit before exceptional items decreased to 3.07 billion pounds from 3.13 billion pounds, previous year. EPS before exceptionals was 88.8 pence compared to 95.5 pence.

Sales were 15.97 billion pounds compared to 13.98 billion pounds, a year ago. Net sales were 10.81 billion pounds compared to 10.26 billion pounds, last year. Reported net sales were up 5%, largely driven by the full consolidation of USL, which contributed 921 million pounds of net sales.

The directors of Diageo recommended a final dividend of 34.9 pence per share, an increase of 9% from the year ended 30 June 2014. The full dividend will therefore be 56.4 pence per share, an increase of 9% from the year ended 30 June 2014. Subject to approval by shareholders, the final dividend will be paid on 8 October 2015 to shareholders on the register on 13 August 2015.