A disappointing first half of the year for beverage manufacturer Diageo: The sales figures in Latin America and the Caribbean show a significant decline and have therefore greatly affected the profit in the fiscal year 2023/24.

Diageo, known for brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Smirnoff, recorded a pre-tax profit of $3.08 billion from July to December, compared to $3.60 billion in the same period last year. One crucial measure in this regard is the switch to the US dollar as the currency for financial figures.

Based on the organic figures, net sales decreased by 0.6 percent and do not meet the market's expectations, which had expected unchanged sales. The sales volume also showed a decline of 9 percent.

Latin America and the Caribbean were particularly hard hit, where Diageo generates 11 percent of its corporate revenue. The comparison base from the previous year was already high in that region, and this year, economic pressure has dampened consumption.

Investors also react to disappointing numbers: Diageo stock temporarily loses 3.10 percent at the London Stock Exchange and is currently at 27.54 GBP.

However, through targeted measures and strategic steps, Diageo still aims to minimize the effects of the economic environment and drive growth in important markets.

For now, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be sufficient to increase profit in the second half of the year.