Diageo PLC (LON:DGE) has been upgraded to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ by analysts at Credit Suisse, who said they preferred that Guinness owner over its French peer Pernod due to what they said were “quicker topline recovery prospects”.
In a note on Wednesday, the bank also upped its target price for the FTSE 100 firm to 3,450p from 2,750p, saying it favoured a quicker pace of recovery for Diageo given its “higher exposure to the robust US market”, where industry growth is expected to remain elevated.
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Analysts also noted “better market share trends in the US” for the company and “lower exposure to the weaker travel retail channel”.
“[US] industry growth accelerated to 11% in [the third quarter], well above its 4-5% long-term trend. We expect growth to moderate but remain above historical rates over the coming quarters”, Credit Suisse said, highlighting a “faster pace of premiumisation” and accelerated market share gains for spirits.
The bank added that Diageo has “higher exposure to the fastest-growth categories…a more premium portfolio…and a better innovation track record” than Pernod.
Credit Suisse concluded by saying that Diageo’s shares were currently trading at a discount to Pernod, which it said is “unwarranted, given Diageo’s faster topline recovery prospects”.
Diageo shares rose 1.5% to 2,946p in late-morning trading.