Guinness-owner Diageo sees sales jump

Diageo says the strong sales growth is unlikely to continue

Drinks giant Diageo has said its sales in the first three months of 2010 jumped by 12% from a year ago.

But the company, whose brands include Guinness and Johnnie Walker, says the rate of growth was flattered by poor sales last year during the recession.

The three-month result was also helped by an early Easter, when alcohol consumption usually rises.

As a result, Diageo said it was sticking with its forecast of single-digit sales growth for the full year.

The company's chief executive, Paul Walsh, said: "Our guidance for low... organic operating profit growth for the full year is unchanged and reflects our successful management of a tough environment in the first half."