Diageo shares fall after Jefferies cuts rating of spirits maker

Investing.com -- London-listed shares in Diageo (LON:DGE) slipped down to near the bottom of the FTSE 100 index in London after analysts at Jefferies cut their rating of the world's biggest spirits group to hold from buy.

The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Tanqueray gin previously flagged earlier this year that a COVID-induced boost in demand in the U.S. for pricier alcoholic drinks used for cocktails is showing signs of slowing.

This normalization of growth levels, along with a weakening macroeconomic outlook, may impact performance in Diageo's key U.S. market, the Jefferies analysts said. The U.S. business makes up nearly 40% of sales and close to 50% of profits, according to the analysts.

They projected that organic sales in the country are now expected to grow by only 1% in the 2024 financial year, well below consensus estimates of 4.5%.

Diageo stock could subsequently "tread water" as the pandemic-era surge in U.S. sales wanes, they argued.