Guinness-owner Diageo sees sales jump
Drinks giant Diageo has said its sales in the first three months of 2010 jumped by 12% from a year ago.
But the company, whose brands include Guinness and Johnnie Walker, says the rate of growth was flattered by poor sales last year during the recession.
The three-month result was also helped by an early Easter, when alcohol consumption usually rises.
As a result, Diageo said it was sticking with its forecast of single-digit sales growth for the full year.
The company's chief executive, Paul Walsh, said: "Our guidance for low... organic operating profit growth for the full year is unchanged and reflects our successful management of a tough environment in the first half."