Over the last year, the Diageo (LSE:DGE) share price is flat. After the release of its interim results in January, the shares fell by 5%.
Some financial analysts apparently were disappointed with a US sales growth of 3%. Considering that over the last five years the annual average sales growth for Diageo was only around 5%, I do not share that disappointment. For a long-term investor like me, the earnings trend over multiple years is much more important than the short-term earnings noise.
Warren Buffettâs shareholder letter to Berkshireâs shareholders just got released at the end of February as well. It was a very short letter this time. Warren at his old age must think that less is more. I think he wanted to keep it brief but really focus on topics close to his heart. He focused on the âsecret sauceâ and highlighted two of his stock holdings.
He completed buying Coca-Cola in 1994. Berkshireâs American Express holding was essentially completed in 1995. Both investments turned out to be 10 baggers. In a couple of years, the dividend income of Coca-Cola may be higher than the total initial cost of the Coca-Cola position for Berkshire Hathaway. That is always something like the Holy Grail achievement of investing.
What British stock could be the UKâs version of Warren Buffettâs Coke and Amex holding? Â
Here, I want to come back to Diageo.
Raise your glasses
My ISA holding of Diageo has more than doubled since inception. One mistake investors make is not buying enough shares of a good stock. I fear I have made that mistake. With the tax year coming to an end in the UK, I am looking to add to my Diageo holding in my ISA and my SIPP account as Diageo could be the UKâs version of Warren Buffettâs Coke and Amex holding.
Luxury stocks have outperformed this year as China has lifted Covid restrictions. Diageo can be seen as a luxury stock as well. The Chinese can be expected to go out more in 2023 and mix expansive cognac and Scotch whisky with Coca-Cola once again while doing so. So Diageoâs Asia sales are likely looking better this year.
Also, Diageo has only really started to buy back its own shares since 2018. Fewer shares remaining of Diageoâs shares outstanding could be good for long-term investors. Nick Train made the same point in the January Factsheet of Finsbury Growth & Income Trust.
On the other hand, the UK corporate tax rate is expected to go up in April. That will shrink the part of Diageoâs income pie available for shareholders in the years to come.
If Diageo can keep growing its profits by 5% a year and return to a price-to-earnings multiple of 30 times in 10 yearsâ time, there is a chance shareholders like me can make around 22% a year holding its stock. Hopefully Mr Huntâs UK corporate tax raid will not mess that prediction up. I think it is time for a tipple of the Diageo share price, and I plan to add to my holding. Fingers crossed.
The post Is it time for a tipple of the Diageo share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
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American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Rogier van de Grift has positions in Diageo, Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, American Express and Finsbury Growth & Income Trust. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Diageo Plc and Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
