About Diageo plc (DGE)
Diageo plc is a Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. DGE has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Diageo plc (DGE) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 29,632 people. With a market capitalization of £33 billion, DGE is a large established company.
DGE trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £33 billion. The company employs approximately 29,632 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £1,467.50
- Market Cap
- £32.63B
- 52-Week High
- £2,215.00
- 52-Week Low
- £1,420.50
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries
DGE Investment Performance
DGE has declined 8.5% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in DGE would have grown to £481, representing a -51.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £31,099.
£1,000 Invested in Diageo plc (DGE)
How much would £1,000 invested in DGE be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in DGE 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diageo plc (DGE) in 2025 would be worth £706 as of March 2026, representing a -29.4% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DGE 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diageo plc (DGE) in 2023 would be worth £416 as of March 2026, representing a -58.5% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DGE 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diageo plc (DGE) in 2021 would be worth £481 as of March 2026, representing a -51.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DGE 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diageo plc (DGE) in 2016 would be worth £784 as of March 2026, representing a -21.6% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DGE at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diageo plc (DGE) at IPO would be worth £31,099 as of March 2026, representing a +3009.9% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (454 months), Diageo plc (DGE) has averaged a monthly return of +1.26% with a median return of +0.90%. The stock had 266 positive months (59%) and 185 negative months (41%). The best month in DGE's history was June 1989 with a +301.9% return, while the worst was September 1993 at -17.1%. Historically, June tends to be the strongest month (averaging +7.7%), and January the weakest (-1.3%).
DGE's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1989 with a cumulative return of +375.0%, and the worst was 2025 at -42.5%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Diageo plc (DGE) has delivered an average annual return of +24.01% with a median return of +6.55%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +9.75%. The stock posted gains in 25 years (66%) and losses in 13 years (34%).
DGE's best year was 1989 with a +705.67% gain, while the worst was 2025 at -36.78%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 5, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. DGE achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 16 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -8.48% | £1,603.50 | £1,467.50 |
| 2025 | -36.78% | £2,536.45 | £1,603.50 |
| 2024 | -11.13% | £2,853.98 | £2,536.45 |
| 2023 | -21.73% | £3,646.55 | £2,853.98 |
| 2022 | -9.55% | £4,031.38 | £3,646.55 |
| 2021 | +40.27% | £2,874.07 | £4,031.38 |
| 2020 | -10.05% | £3,195.32 | £2,874.07 |
| 2019 | +14.53% | £2,789.88 | £3,195.32 |
| 2018 | +2.59% | £2,719.34 | £2,789.88 |
| 2017 | +29.18% | £2,105.08 | £2,719.34 |
| 2016 | +13.69% | £1,851.64 | £2,105.08 |
| 2015 | +0.47% | £1,843.03 | £1,851.64 |
| 2014 | -7.55% | £1,993.51 | £1,843.03 |
| 2013 | +11.95% | £1,780.74 | £1,993.51 |
| 2012 | +27.09% | £1,401.16 | £1,780.74 |
| 2011 | +18.74% | £1,180.07 | £1,401.16 |
| 2010 | +9.36% | £1,079.10 | £1,180.07 |
| 2009 | +12.85% | £956.22 | £1,079.10 |
| 2008 | -10.99% | £1,074.24 | £956.22 |
| 2007 | +7.77% | £996.80 | £1,074.24 |
| 2006 | +19.04% | £837.40 | £996.80 |
| 2005 | +13.44% | £738.22 | £837.40 |
| 2004 | +1.13% | £729.96 | £738.22 |
| 2003 | +8.93% | £670.11 | £729.96 |
| 2002 | -13.93% | £778.59 | £670.11 |
| 2001 | +4.63% | £744.12 | £778.59 |
| 2000 | +50.66% | £493.90 | £744.12 |
| 1999 | -27.17% | £678.16 | £493.90 |
| 1998 | +18.48% | £572.39 | £678.16 |
| 1997 | +24.71% | £458.99 | £572.39 |
| 1996 | -3.48% | £475.55 | £458.99 |
| 1995 | +5.33% | £451.47 | £475.55 |
| 1994 | -5.76% | £479.05 | £451.47 |
| 1993 | -7.46% | £517.68 | £479.05 |
| 1992 | +1.57% | £509.66 | £517.68 |
| 1991 | +33.51% | £381.73 | £509.66 |
| 1990 | +10.93% | £344.12 | £381.73 |
| 1989 | +705.67% | £42.71 | £344.12 |
DGE Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Diageo plc as an investment
Valuation
DGE currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 18.1, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 12.1 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 375.4. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.6.
Dividends
Diageo plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.27%. This translates to £0.63 per share annually. The payout ratio of 95% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
DGE has a beta of 0.17, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £1420.50 to £2215.00, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 22 analyst opinions, DGE has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £2002.15 suggests 36.4% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: DGE
What sector is DGE in? ▼
DGE operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries industry.
How has DGE performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, DGE has posted gains in 25 years (66% of the time). The best year was 1989 with a +705.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in DGE? ▼
You can invest in DGE through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold DGE.
Does DGE pay dividends? ▼
Diageo plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.27%. This translates to £0.63 per share annually. The payout ratio of 95% indicates high dividend coverage.
What does Diageo plc do? ▼
Diageo plc is a Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is DGE in? ▼
DGE operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries industry.
When did DGE go public? ▼
Diageo plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in DGE 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in DGE five years ago would be worth approximately £481 today, representing a -51.9% return.
Does DGE pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Diageo plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 4.27%, which is £0.63 per share annually.
What is DGE's market cap? ▼
Diageo plc has a market capitalization of £33 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is DGE's P/E ratio? ▼
DGE has a trailing P/E ratio of 18.1 and a forward P/E of 12.1, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is DGE a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 22 opinions, DGE has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £2002.15.
Last updated: 3/14/2026