Diageo’s Sales Growth Trails Estimates Amid China Cutbacks

Diageo Plc, the world’s biggest distiller, said a slowdown in emerging markets including China and Nigeria weighed on first-half sales growth, sending the shares down the most since 2009.

Organic sales rose 1.8 percent in the six months through December, the London-based company said today, missing the 3.5 percent median estimate of 13 analysts. Operating profit gained 2.9 percent on the same basis, also falling short of the median estimate for 4.5 percent growth.