United Spirits announced that its sports‑bottling division posted a significant loss, eroding margins across the group and contributing most of the profit dip.
Total income fell 2.7% to ₹7,079 crore from ₹7,276 crore, while revenue from operations slipped 2.6% to ₹7,014 crore, a decline that reflects both weaker sales and higher excise duty burdens.
Diageo’s chief financial officer, Nikhil Gupta, cautioned that the company remains focused on restructuring the sports portfolio and expects a return to growth once the new distribution strategy launches next quarter.
Investors reacted with a 3% slide in United Spirits’ shares, and analysts are calling for a closer look at the brand mix as the firm prepares its March quarter filing. The company will present its full-year results on May 12, when market expectations for a rebound are already forming.