Brown-Forman Corporation Class B vs Diageo plc — how do they compare? Brown-Forman Corporation Class B trades at $25.18, while Diageo plc trades at $81.21 (market cap $45.41B). The key difference: Diageo plc pays a 4.02% dividend while Brown-Forman Corporation Class B pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BF.B | DEO | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $31.26 | $115.33 |
52-Week Low | $22.80 | $72.47 |
Market Cap | — | $45.41B |
Enterprise Value | — | $66.23B |
Dividend Yield | — | 4.02% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BF.B trades at $26.25, up 0.31% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but mixed oscillators. Recent earnings show three consecutive beats, with Q2 2024 EPS of $0.48 exceeding the $0.46 estimate. Analyst sentiment is divided, with a 25% buy rating amid cautious technical indicators.
The stock's outlook is balanced by strong earnings momentum against bearish technicals. Opportunities lie in continued earnings outperformance, while risks include weak technical trends and lack of consensus among analysts. Investors should weigh fundamental strength against near-term price pressure.
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Brown-Forman is the largest U.S.-domiciled producer of distilled spirits. The firm reports only a single operating segment, and whiskey represents its primary business driver, generating roughly three-quarters of sales, undergirded by the Jack Daniel's brand as well as bourbons such as Woodford Reserve and Old Forrester. Notable nonwhiskey offerings include tequilas such as el Jimador and Herradura. The firm operates globally, with products sold in more than 170 countries, and adapts its route-to-consumer model depending on regulation as well as the prevailing competitive dynamics in a given market. For example, it sells through distributors in the U.S. but operates its own logistics apparatus in many other countries. The company remains under the control of the Brown family.
Read more on BF.B →Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →