Guinness and Johnnie Walker owner Diageo ‘could sell Chinese assets’

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Julia KolleweJanuary 13, 2026 at 12:17 PM

AI Summary

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Diageo, the owner of brands like Guinness and Johnnie Walker, is reportedly considering selling its Chinese assets amid declining sales in the region. The company is working with Goldman Sachs and UBS to review its operations, which include a significant stake in Sichuan Swellfun, a Baiju distributor. New CEO Dave Lewis, known for cost-cutting, took over on January 1st and is facing challenges including tariffs, debt, and changing consumer preferences. This potential sale follows Diageo's recent divestment of its stake in East African Breweries, signaling a streamlining of its portfolio. The company is facing headwinds, including a sales decline in China and supply issues, prompting a review of its strategic assets.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Debra Crew 30% UK ×230% Tesco ×240% Donald Trump 40% UBS 50% Goldman Sachs 50% Sichuan Swellfun ×360% China ×370% Dave Lewis ×270% Diageo ×790%

Keywords

diageo 100% asset sale 90% china 80% portfolio streamlining 70% dave lewis 70% sales decline 60% sichuan swellfun 60% spirits maker 50% cost-cutting 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.30

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

China

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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diageo asset sale china portfolio streamlining dave lewis sales decline sichuan swellfun spirits maker cost-cutting

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