Diageo Sales up 3% in H1, Weighed Down by Vodka

Diageo reported global organic net sales growth of 4.2% and organic volume growth of nearly 2% for the first half of fiscal 2018 ended December 31. In the US, net sales were up 3%, but vodka continues to be a weak spot in the region. In fact, excluding Ciroc and Ketel One, Diageo's sales were up 5.5% in the US. The performance of the vodka category was a point of focus on this morning's earnings call. KEY BRAND PERFORMANCES.-- Crown