Diageo PLC

The consumer non-cyclical segment recorded a dividend yield of 3%.

JVIAX intends to invest at least 80% of its assets in equities issued by companies located outside of the United States.

After the UK’s exit from the European Union (EZU) (HEDJ), it’s expected that the UK’s economic activity will fall.

The Europe 30 ProFund Investor Class is benchmarked to the ProFunds Europe 30 Index and seeks to achieve investment results that correspond to the index.

VEURX is a passively managed index fund. So its fund manager can’t take active bets and has to follow the allocation of the underlying benchmark.

Calamos International Growth Fund management expects to invest at least 40% of its assets in foreign issuer securities.

The Vanguard European Stock Index Fund (VEURX) is by far the largest fund in this review by asset size.

Compania Cervecerias Unidas (CCU) has a market capitalization of $3.6 billion. It rose by 1.8% to close at $19.44 per share as of January 15, 2016.

Brown-Forman has entered into an agreement to sell Southern Comfort and Tuaca trademark to Sazerac for $543.5 million. This agreement will close by March 1.

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (or MPC) voted by a majority of 8:1 to maintain a bank rate at 0.5% yesterday.

Out of the 109 constituent stocks of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU), 99 stocks advanced on November 17.

Aberdeen Asset Management, the fund management group, was among the few finance stocks to make it to the positive territory of returns on October 26.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the unemployment rate in the UK dropped to 5.4% in the three months to August 2015 from 5.5% in the prior period.

Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) rose by 4.6% on October 8 after the company confirmed its tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers Union.

Chinese consumer sentiment rose to its highest in over a year in September 2015. The reading increased by 1.5% to 118.2 in September from August.

ABI could leverage ~$50 billion through debt financing. As of June 30, its total debt was ~$51.5 billion, with a total-debt-to-total-assets ratio of ~35.9%.

The consumer confidence index provides a link between household expenditure and consumer sentiment in the economy.

The ECB’s (European Central Bank) monetary stimulus package seems to be working well for most Eurozone economies, especially Italy.

One of Diageo’s key growth strategies has been to make acquisitions in high-growth markets and product categories. In February, Diageo acquired the remaining 50% stake in Don Julio tequila from Jose Cuervo in exchange for Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

One of Diageo’s notable innovations Crown Royal Regal Apple whisky, launched in November 2014. This flavored whisky was its biggest driver of increased shipments for the US spirits and wine business in 3Q15.

Some analysts believe that 3G Capital might be interested in Diageo’s beer business. 3G Capital has a meaningful stake in beer market leader Anheuser-Busch InBev.

US wine export volumes, excluding other fermented categories, declined by 6.1% to 91.9 million liters in 1Q15.

Despite the growing popularity of US whiskeys like bourbon and Tennessee whiskey in the United States as well as abroad, the demand for imported whiskey continues to grow.

Distilled spirits imports increased by 17.8% to $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2015, based on data provided by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

According to the latest reports, the Eurozone’s inflation rate was 0.3% in May. Gains in the Eurozone inflation rate are being led by services, food, alcohol, and tobacco.

Inflation in Italy remained anchored at 0% after it climbed out of deflation last month, while Spain’s inflation rate also moved up 0.1% in April.

According to the Wine Institute, US wine exports declined by 3.9% to $1.49 billion in 2014 in terms of value.

Table wine is the major US wine category. Other categories include dessert wine, champagne, and sparkling wines.

Whiskey accounts for about 70% of the total US spirits exports. In 2013, American-produced Bourbon and Tennessee whiskeys crossed the $1 billion mark.

Whiskey is the largest category of the US spirits market with a 33% share of gross revenues. Vodka, cordials, and rum hold 25%, 11%, and 10%, respectively.

The performance of liquor business in 2014 reflects the premiumization trend, or a preference for better, premium, or expensive liquor brands.

Beer has been losing its market share in recent years, giving way to distilled spirits and wine.

Americans are moving toward craft beer due to better taste, innovation, and brewing techniques. Its market share increased to 11% in 2014 from 7.8% in 2013.

Bud Light is the leader among major beer brands, with 18% share of the beer market based on the 2013 total beer industry shipments of 211.7 million barrels.

Based on the US beer industry shipments of 211.7 million barrels, Anheuser-Busch InBev led the beer industry in 2013 with a 45.6% market share.

The three-tier distribution system ensures collection of taxes and prevents control of production, distribution, and selling by a single entity.

In an economic study, the American Beverage Licensees estimated the economic impact of the alcoholic beverage industry in 2014 to be more than $245 billion.

According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits, account for 20% of the US beverage market.