New York/London, Aug 29 - Spirits makers Diageo Plc and Brown-Forman Corp said waning economies in Western Europe are weighing on earnings as consumers drink less outside the home and more pubs close their doors.
Diageo cut its annual profit growth target on Thursday, while Brown-Forman Corp posted weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings. They also cited increased costs for raw materials such as grains, glass, packaging and energy.
Diageo, the world's largest alcoholic drinks group, met estimates with an 11 percent rise in annual earnings and was optimistic about the North American market.
The company is concerned about Spain, Britain and Ireland, which together make up one-fifth of profit. Diageo, which makes Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, sees 2009 operating profit growth of 7 percent to 9 percent, versus a prior view of 9 percent growth.
Brown-Forman's fiscal first-quarter operating profit missed analysts' average estimate by 3 cents per share. Sales volume of its Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey declined slightly, as strength in Eastern Europe could not offset weakness in such countries as Britain and Germany.
"In the U.K. all spirit categories are currently struggling in (bars and restaurants), which many attribute to the economy as well as the recent smoking ban," said Don Berg, Brown-Forman's chief financial officer. "Consequently, pub closures are becoming much more common."
Diageo shares rose 2 percent in London, while Brown-Forman slid 4 percent in New York trading.
GLOBAL DRINKS PROBLEMLondon-based Diageo and Louisville, Kentucky-based Brown-Forman are the latest alcoholic drink makers to cite slowing sales in regions facing economic uncertainty.
Earlier this week, beer maker Heineken NV said sales volume fell 1.3 percent in Western Europe in the first half of the year and issued a full-year forecast that analysts called conservative.
Australia's Foster's Group Ltd, owner of the world's second-largest wine business with brands including Beringer and Rosemount, said wine sales in the Americas fell nearly 9 percent in the year's first half, hit by a slowdown in consumer spending and lower demand for Australian wine.
Brown-Forman said there was an industrywide trend in the United States that suggested cash-strapped consumers are trading down to less expensive alcohol brands, while premium brands were slowing.
Brown-Forman recently raised prices on some value brands, including Canadian Mist whisky, so it has not seen any benefits, even as sales slow for premium brands like Jack Daniel's and Southern Comfort.
Diageo finance director Nick Rose said costs for items such as grains and energy rose 90 million pounds, or 3 percent of its cost base, in the reported year, and he expected a bigger increase of 150 million pounds, or 5 percent of its cost base, in the coming year.
Brown-Forman said margins were hurt as price increases could not outpace inflation.
Goldman Sachs analyst Judy Hong said she expects Brown-Forman's gross margins may stay under pressure in the future as "the drag from glass increases expected in calendar 2009, corn costs and negative mix are only partially offset by price realization."
Brown-Forman shares were down $3.06 at $73.96 on the New York Stock Exchange, while Diageo closed up 20.5 pence at 981.1 pence in London.