1336 GMT - Diageo is the second most-mentioned company across news items over the past four hours, according to Factiva data. The London-based maker of Johnnie Walker scotch whisky, Guinness stout and Smirnoff vodka reported a fall in pretax profit of $3.08 billion for the six months ended Dec. 31 from $3.60 billion for the same period a year earlier. The company said net sales fell 1.4% to $11.0 billion, citing a sharp decline in sales in the Latin American and Caribbean region, which accounts for 11% of the company's revenue, and blaming lower consumption, consumers choosing cheaper options due to macroeconomic pressures, and high inventory levels. Dow Jones & Co. owns Factiva. (michael.susin@wsj.com)


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-30-24 0851ET