Diageo India, maker of Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, reported a 14% YoY drop in Q1 FY26 profit to ₹417 crore, down from ₹485 crore, as higher ad spends and a one-off tax impact weighed on earnings. EBITDA fell 9.7% to ₹644 crore, while revenue rose slightly to ₹6,295 crore.
Ad and sales promotion expenses jumped 36% to ₹238 crore, boosting net sales value by 9.4% to ₹3,021 crore, driven by growth in both the core business and its sports subsidiary RCSPL. CEO Praveen Someshwar said the company remains focused on portfolio sharpening, consumer engagement, and revenue growth management despite a high prior-year base.