After years of pain, is the Diageo share price looking up?

Since end-2021, the Diageo (LSE: DGE) share price has been one massive hangover for the world drinks large’s shareholders. Since the post-Covid celebration growth of 2021, this FTSE 100 share has fallen nearly relentlessly. However may there lastly be mild at the finish of the tunnel?

Diageo’s descent

On New Yr’s Eve 2021, Diageo inventory closed at 4,036p — its highest closing price. Alas, the share price has been sickly ever since. On 23 March, it hit a 52-week low of 1,350p, down two-thirds (-66.6%) from the file excessive.

At this level, many shareholders would have been despairing. I do know, as I’m on this group. My household portfolio purchased this inventory for two,806.6p a share in January 2024. When the shares bottomed out on 23 March (down 51.9% from our entry price), I used to be contemplating reducing our losses.

Nevertheless, issues could also be lastly looking up for Diageo’s house owners. On Thursday, 7 Could, the shares closed at 1,534.2p, valuing the group at £34.9bn. That’s 13.6% above their 2026 low, with the inventory leaping after the third-quarter assertion launched on Wednesday, 6 Could.

Turning level?

With the shares down 29.1% over one yr and 53.3% over 5 (excluding money dividends), Diageo’s house owners are determined for excellent news. Happily, the newest buying and selling figures supplied some glimmers of hope.

With the FIFA World Cup working from 11 June to 19 July, wholesale clients have began stocking up on booze for pubs, golf equipment, and bars. Group gross sales rose by 0.3%, far forward of the 2.3% decline forecast for the three months to April. If this early turnaround continues, it might be a strong begin for brand new CEO Sir Dave ‘Drastic’ Lewis.

Whereas Latin American gross sales leapt by 16.2%, gross sales dived by 9.4% in the key US market, with spirits exceptionally weak. In distinction, European gross sales rose by 8.8%, with pints of common stout Guinness main the method.

With a view to put money into rising manufacturers and markets, Lewis introduced a reduce to Diageo’s dividend in late February. The turnaround specialist additionally plans to decrease costs and produce down the group’s internet debt.

Low-cost pictures?

At present, Diageo shares commerce on 19.6 occasions historic earnings and supply a trailing dividend yield of 3.9% a yr. However this money yield will drop once more when the diminished remaining dividend is revealed. Whereas this inventory doesn’t look wildly overpriced, it’s additionally not an apparent cut price purchase.

For me, this Footsie share seems to be a binary guess — both a restoration play or a price lure. If the world’s largest soccer event goes properly, then gross sales may get pleasure from a powerful enhance. Personally, I’d wish to see gross sales and margins rebounding with prices stored firmly underneath management.

In abstract, there’ve been no main shocks in Sir Dave Lewis’ first 4 months in cost. For now, I’m completely happy to offer him a full yr or extra to show this tanker round. That stated, if Diageo continues to wrestle, then 2026 could also be my household’s final yr of possession of this once-proud British enterprise!