[R]6:00PM Frankfurt/London – Diageo, the world’s largest liquor maker net annual sales rose 8%. Henderson net in the first half declined more than 50%. Air Berlin second quarter net sales increased 6.7%.[/R]

Diageo Plc., the world’s largest liquor maker reported net sales in the year ended June 30 rose 8% to ₤8.09 billion from ₤7.4 billion a year ago. Operating profit in the period increased 9% to ₤2.3 billion and profit attributable to shareholders increased 2% ₤1.5 billion. Earnings per share in the period increase 7% to 59.3 pence.

Sales volume in equivalent millions of unit rose 3% to 145 from 141.3 in the prior year. The company reported return on invested capital increased 50 basis points to 14.9% and free cash flow in the year was 1.25 billion.

In North America sales volume rose 2% and net sales increased 5%. Marketing expenses increased 3% and operating profit advanced 10%. The company maintained its share of spirits at 28.3%. Net sales of spirits were up 7%, beer up 6% and wine up 12%, partially offset by a 10% decrease in net sales of ready to drink.

In Europe which includes sales in Russia and Eastern Europe, volume sales were up 2%, net sales increased 3% and marketing expenses increased 6%. Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker net sales in the region increased 5% and 11% respectively. Read to drink sales declined 13%.

International sales that include sales in Latin America, South Africa and Middle East rose 16% and volume sales increased 5%. Scotch sales in Latin America increased 11%, in South Africa by 24% and in Middle East increased 24%. Beer sales in Africa rose 19%.

Sales in Asia Pacific region in volume and currency rose 2% but operating profit fell 12%. The company blamed the loss of import license for a period time in Korea. The company increased its investment in infrastructure for locally bottled brands in India and new markets in Vietnam.

Henderson Group Plc. a U.K. based company engaged in providing investment management services reported first half net income slid to ₤41.2 million or $76 million or 1.85 pence from ₤89.5 million or 1.66 pence in the same period a year earlier. Operating profit before tax for Henderson was £60.6 million in the period, similar to the £61.4 million achieved in the first half of 2007. Investment income increased 70%, from £4.3 million in the first half of 2007 to £7.3 million in the period.

Henderson Group Plc. in the last one year traded as high as 191.00 pence in October 2007 and as low as 85.25 pence in March 2008. Based on the today’s closing price the company has a market cap of £907.35 million.

Fielmann AG. Europe''s largest chain of optical stores reported second-quarter sales including VAT climbed 9.1% to 273.4 million euros compared to 232 million euros a year ago. Net profit in the quarter after tax increased to 29.1 million euros compared to 15.9 million euros a year earlier.

In the first half the sales increased 7.8% to 532 million euros and profit after tax increased 67.4% to 56.2 million euros. Lower tax rate of 29% compared to 39.8% in the prior year helped the earnings.

Air Berlin Europe''s third- biggest discount airline reported second quarter sales in the quarter increased 6.7% to 869.5 million euros. Net income increased to 8.3 million euros or $12.3 million from 6 million euros a year-ago. Operating income was adversely affected by the transaction costs and the consultancy fees related to the cancellation of the Condor acquisition, and the high start-up costs for the routes to China.