In the battle of the brewers, will Diageo plc (LON:DGE) outperform SABMiller plc (LON:SAB)?
In recent years, SABMiller (LSE: SAB) (NASDAQOTH: SBMRY.US) has been the better performer of the two multinational brewers: looking back over the last five years, it has seen its share price gradually increase from a low of 922p in 2009 to a high of 3,182p today -- multiplying almost 350%. In comparison, shares in Diageo (LSE: DGE) (NYSE: DEO.US) hit a low of 733p back in 2009, reaching a high of 1,886p today -- a still-admirable 2.5-fold multiple, but not quite keeping pace with its peer.
But a City analyst has spoken out to say that he believes Diageo has a stronger market position than SABMiller, due to the latter's reliance on its range of beers.
Phil Carroll, analyst at Shore Capital, commented:
"[Diageo's] core exposure is to spirits rather than beer. Therefore, it should be more resilient to a rise in unemployment, should it become an issue in developed countries again.
"We also believe that the spirits category, which Diageo has many leading international brands in, is well positioned for growth, as it is widely expected to continue to take share from beer in the total beverage market."
The comments follow news that turbulent European economies, including the UK and Spain, have seen a spike in sales of gin, which has led Diageo to embark upon a £1m innovation/promotional drive for its Gordon's brand of gin.
Diageo's global category director for vodka, gin and rum, Ed Pilkington, said that Spain saw a 20% growth in its gin market last year, while the UK saw gin sales increase 12% in pubs, bars and restaurants, and up 5% in off-licenses and supermarkets. Diageo also owns the more premium gin brand, Tanqueray, which Pilkington believes is particularly popular currently, and is bringing back a limited edition version of Tanqueray Malacca. Meanwhile, the company will also launch a collection of flavoured gins next month, including Gordon's Crisp Cucumber.
Shore Capital's Carroll went on to say: "An additional point we would highlight is that Diageo has reached critical mass in many of its emerging markets and is now making real returns from those markets, rather than just laying down infrastructure for the future… This is particularly evident in Latin America and Africa, where the profit margin profiles in these divisions are very healthy."
Diageo will hope that the gin renaissance will spread to these continents, with fast-growth markets contributing to 42% of the company's net sales in the first half of the financial year, according to its interim results.
I purchased shares on the strength of Diageo's diverse portfolio and its exposure to emerging markets so, as a shareholder, I'm encouraged by Carroll's comments.
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> Sam owns shares in Diageo but no other company mentioned in this article.
