Diageo (DEO) Explores Sale of Chinese Assets, Including 63% Stake in Sichuan Swellfun
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 13 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Asset Disposal Plan: Diageo is considering the sale of its Chinese assets, including a more than 63% stake in Sichuan Swellfun, indicating a strategic intent to adjust its global investment portfolio in response to market changes.
- Advisory Team Involvement: The company is working with Goldman Sachs and UBS Group to gauge initial interest from local strategic buyers and private equity firms, demonstrating its proactive approach to potential transactions and market research.
- Preliminary Decision Stage: Although considerations are still in the early stages and no final decisions have been made, this move could impact Diageo's long-term strategic positioning in the Chinese market.
- Market Reaction: Diageo's ADRs fell by 1%, reflecting investor uncertainty regarding the company's asset disposal plans and a cautious market sentiment.
Get Free Real-Time Notifications for Any Stock
Monitor tickers like DEO with instant alerts to capture every critical market movement.
Sign up for free to build your custom watchlist and receive professional-grade stock notifications.
Analyst Views on DEO
Wall Street analysts forecast DEO stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for DEO is 88.46 USD with a low forecast of 24.85 USD and a high forecast of 131.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 88.750
Low
24.85
Averages
88.46
High
131.00
Current: 88.750
Low
24.85
Averages
88.46
High
131.00
About DEO
Diageo plc is a United Kingdom-based international manufacturer and distributor of premium drinks. The Company offers beverage alcohol with a collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. Its segments include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, Africa, and Corporate and other. The SC&P segment manufactures products and includes production sites in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Guatemala and Mexico, as well as comprises the global procurement function. Its principal products include scotch whisky, whisk(e)y, vodka, tequila, gin, rum, liqueurs, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic spirits. Its collection of brands includes Johnnie Walker, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Don Julio, Guinness, and Tanqueray, among others. It offers Ritual Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Spirits (Ritual). It owns manufacturing production facilities across the globe, including distilleries, breweries, and packaging plants.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Diageo India Reveals 2026 Top 100 Bartenders, Pune Leads Tier 2 Representation
- Diversity in Bartending: The 2026 Top 100 list features the highest number of women bartenders in history, with 14% representation from over 800 entries, highlighting the industry's commitment to inclusivity and support for female talent.
- Regional Representation Growth: Pune leads Tier 2 cities with 27 bartenders from the West, 22 from the South, 20 from the North, and 11 from the East, alongside 10 each from Sri Lanka and Nepal, indicating a rapid professionalization of bartending across various regions.
- Classic Cocktail Reinterpretation: Bartenders consistently returned to classic formats, with Sours as the most common starting point, followed by Highballs, Old Fashioneds, and Rob Roy-style cocktails, showcasing their ability to blend tradition with innovation.
- Local Flavors Highlighted: The Top 100 cocktail submissions prominently featured local ingredients such as coconut water, banana, and spices, reflecting bartenders' emphasis on regional flavors, which further enhances the diversity and creativity of India's bartending culture.
Continue Reading
U.S. Core Inflation Drops to 2.6%, Market Sentiment Improves
- Inflation Impact: The U.S. core inflation rate dropped to 2.6%, easing fears of delayed Federal Reserve rate hikes and boosting investor confidence, although the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell by 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively.
- Geopolitical Risks: President Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries, including the U.K., France, and Germany, which could heighten market uncertainty and affect transatlantic trade relations.
- Corporate Developments: Diageo is considering options for its Chinese assets, while BP expects to book $4B-$5B in impairments for Q4, primarily related to its low-carbon energy businesses, reflecting challenges in the sector.
- Asia-Pacific Market Performance: China recorded a $1.19 trillion trade surplus in 2025 with a 5.5% increase in exports despite U.S. tariff pressures, indicating economic resilience, while Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 4.8%, showcasing regional market activity.
Continue Reading