Diageo Shares Surge as Distiller Promises Faster Sales Gain

Diageo Plc, the world’s largest distiller, surged in London trading after reporting improved full-year profit and targeting accelerated sales growth.

The stock gained as much as 6 percent, the biggest intraday advance since October of last year. Full-year operating profit rose 5 percent on a so-called organic basis as higher sales of whisky, including the Johnnie Walker brand, in emerging markets offset a slide in Europe. That matched analysts’ estimates.