Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its “International Equity Strategy” third quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. During the quarter global equity markets reached record highs. The MSCI ACWI Index surged 6.61%, while the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index rallied 6.98%. Aristotle Capital International Equity returned 10.97% gross of fees (10.82% net of fees) in the third quarter outperforming the MSCI EAFE Index’s 7.26% return, and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index’s 8.06% return. In addition, you can check the fund’s top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2024.
Aristotle Capital International Equity Strategy highlighted stocks like Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the third quarter 2024 investor letter. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) engages in the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages. The one-month return of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was 1.52%, and its shares lost 11.76% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On October 14, 2024, Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) stock closed at $135.43 per share with a market capitalization of $75.234 billion.
Aristotle Capital International Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:
“Headquartered in London, England, Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is a global leader in the alcoholic beverages industry. The company has a vast portfolio of over 200 well-recognized premium spirits (~80% of FY 2024 sales), beers (~15% and mostly Guinness) and other beverages (~5%) that are sold in nearly 180 countries. Led by its Johnnie Walker brand, Diageo is the world’s largest exporter of Scotch whiskey—its largest category at ~25% of sales—followed by other spirits such as tequila and vodka (~10% each). Diageo also owns a ~34% stake in the premium champagne and cognac maker Moët Hennessy (a subsidiary of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton).
The company is the product of the 1997 merger between Grand Metropolitan and Guinness and the subsequent divestiture of its food-related businesses. M&A continues to be a part of Diageo’s strategy, as regional brands often dominate local markets (which provides further opportunities for mergers and industry consolidation). Over the last decade, Diageo has also meaningfully increased its presence in the rapidly growing tequila market with the acquisitions of Don Julio and Casamigos…” (Click here to read the full text)
A close-up of bottles of whisky and other alcoholic beverages from a winery.
Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is not on our list of 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 31 hedge fund portfolios held Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) at the end of the second quarter which was 30 in the previous quarter. Diageo plc’s (NYSE:DEO) group organic net sales declined 0.6% in fiscal year 2024, after three years of extraordinary top line growth. While we acknowledge the potential of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
In another article, we discussed Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) and shared ClearBridge Growth Strategy’s views on the company. Oakmark International Fund also added Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) to its portfolio during Q3 2024. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2024 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.