May 8 - In the nine month period ended 31 March 2008 Diageo's organic net sales growth was 7%, in line with the performance seen in the first half of the year ending 30 June 2008.
There has been no material change in the financial position of the group. The return of cash to shareholders through the payment of dividends and the continued share buy back programme led to a reduction in net assets from £4.2 billion at 30 June 2007 to £3.9 billion at 31 March 2008.
Paul Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo commented:
‘Trading in the third quarter continued in line with the first half and we are therefore maintaining our guidance for 9% organic operating profit growth for the current fiscal year.
‘We continue to believe that the diversity and strength of our brands, the success of our marketing campaigns, our superior routes to market and our global reach will be key in delivering our performance .’