Should Diageo shareholders switch to United Spirits?

Riken Mehta
Moneycontrol.com

After long speculation, Vijay Mallya owned United Spirits , United Breweries Holdings and Diageo finally sealed the deal, which will see Diageo, the world’s largest spirits company, acquire a majority stake in United Spirits, which controls half of India’s liquor market. India is the leading guzzler of whiskey and analysts expect it to be USD 10 billion market by 2013.

Also lofty import duties in India would have made life difficult for Diageo to enter the domestic market as a standalone player. United Spirits acquisition will give Diageo a platform to launch all its brands in India.

Both the firms have some of the best brands in the liquor market, excellent distribution networks in India (United Spirits) and abroad (Diageo), so there will definitely be immense synergies from the deal. As seen from the chart, United Spirits has given 2840% return for investors since 2003 compared to Diageo's 158%.

Here’s a look at the key financials of the two firms. Exchange Rate: 1 GBP = Rs 86.81. Diageo Year end June 2012.

Parameters	United Spirits	Diageo
Annual Sales FY12	Rs 9186 Cr	Rs 93408 Cr
Net Profit	187	17970
OPM	11.55%	29.30%
NPM	1.98%	19.23%
Cash	363	9011
Market-Cap	17784	390645
Debt	7523	65715
Interest Cost	836	3316
Market Share	59%
CAGR Growth	13%
Sales (Cases)	122 Mn	156.5 Mn
Brands	Dalmore, Jura, Whyte & MacKay, Black Dog, Antiquity, Signature, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No.1, Bagpiper, Celebration Rum, Bouvet Ladubay, Pinky, Romanov, White Mischief, Four Seasons	Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor, Bushmills, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Cîroc, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness