The boss of Diageo claimed the maker of Johnnie Walker and Guinness was on target to become one of the world’s best performing consumer goods companies after half-year results showed further signs of a turnaround. Ivan Menezes, who has faced persistent questions over his tenure as chief executive, said the hard work of the past three years was turning Diageo into a “stronger, more consistent, better-performing company” that was quicker on its feet and able to generate higher returns. The group today beat analysts’ forecasts by reporting operating profits before exceptionals up 4.4 per cent on an organic — or underlying — basis in the six months to the end of December, with organic net sales also up by 4.4 per cent. On a reported…

Source: The Times January 26, 2017 17:05 UTC