Summary Box: Drinks company Diageo’s full-year profit up 1.5 percent on second-half rebound

Summary Box: Diageo full-year profit up 1.5 pct

DRINK UP: Diageo PLC, the world’s biggest liquor maker, said its full-year profit rose 1.5 percent as sales in emerging markets fueled a rebound from a weak first half.

BOTTOM LINE: For the year ended June 30, the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and Guinness stout said net income rose to 1.63 billion pounds ($2.54 billion) from 1.61 billion pounds a year earlier. A stronger second half offset a 10 percent profit drop in the first six months.

HIGHLIGHTS: The gains came from strong performance in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific regions, which offset declines in North America and Europe. The company raised its final dividend by 6 percent.