Pernod Ricard reported a 9.2 per cent rise in first quarter sales today and confirmed its full-year guidance.
Sales rose to €1.457 billion, below an average sales forecast of €1.513 billion in a poll of 10 analysts.
Pernod said all its main brands had strong growth over the period, including higher sales of Ballantine's, Martell and Beefeater.
The company maintained its full year guidance for net sales organic growth at the upper end of the 4 to 6 per cent range, combined with strong double-digit growth in group net profit, excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements.
Pernod shares closed at €163.50 yesterday. The stock has risen around 10 per cent since the start of 2006, slightly underperforming a 15 per cent rise in the broader CAC 40 index.
Earlier this month rival Diageo, the world's biggest alcoholic drinks group, said it was on track with its full-year target to grow underlying operating profit by at least 7 per cent after the first quarter of its fiscal year.