Brown Forman (BF.B) vs Diageo (DEO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Brown Forman (BF.B) has outperformed Diageo (DEO) over the past year, losing 5.9% versus a loss of 11.6%. Over five years, DEO leads with a -57.5% price change compared with -62.6% for BF.B. Diageo is the larger company by market cap ($47.12 billion vs $11.90 billion), about 4.0 times the size.
On valuation, Diageo trades at a lower forward P/E (11.8x vs 15.1x for Brown Forman). Brown Forman offers the higher dividend yield (3.55% vs 0.59%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BF.B | DEO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $25.94 | $84.73 |
| Market cap | $11.90B | $47.12B |
| 1-day change | -1.56% | -0.06% |
| YTD return | +0.54% | -1.79% |
| 1-year return | -5.92% | -11.65% |
| 5-year return | -62.56% | -57.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.74 | 27.07 |
| Forward P/E | 15.14 | 11.79 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.55 | $3.13 |
| Dividend yield | 3.55% | 0.59% |
| Annual dividend | $0.92 | $0.50 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $27.96B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +0.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $2.54B |
| Gross margin | — | 43.53% |
| Operating margin | — | 15.50% |
| Net margin | — | 9.08% |
| 52-week high | $31.92 | $102.74 |
| 52-week low | $22.61 | $72.45 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.73% | -17.53% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.94% | +26.96% |
| Average volume | 2.32M | 1.07M |
| Shares outstanding | 290.38M | 556.15M |
| Employees | 4,900 | 27,972 |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries | Beverages (Production/Distribution) |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Diageo is about 4.0 times larger than Brown Forman by market value ($47.12B vs $11.90B).
- Diageo trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.1x vs 16.7x trailing P/E).
- Brown Forman offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.55% vs 0.59%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Brown Forman in Consumer Defensive and Diageo in Consumer Staples.
About Brown Forman
BF.B stock →Brown-Forman Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distills, bottles, imports, exports, markets, and sells a variety of alcohol beverages. The company provides spirits, wines, whiskey spirits, whiskey-based flavored liqueurs, ready-to-drink cocktails, ready-to-pour products, vodkas, tequilas, gin, brandy, rum, bourbons, and liqueurs.
Consumer Defensive · Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries · 4,900 employees
About Diageo
DEO stock →Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, and Africa. It offers beer, scotch, gin, vodka, rum, liqueur, raki, wine, cachaça, tequila, brandy, and Chinese white spirit beverages, as well as Irish, Canadian, Chinese US, and Indian whisky.
Consumer Staples · Beverages (Production/Distribution) · 27,972 employees
BF.B vs DEO FAQ
Which is bigger, Brown Forman or Diageo?
Diageo (DEO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.12B compared with $11.90B for Brown Forman (BF.B).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BF.B or DEO?
BF.B returned -5.92% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.65% for DEO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BF.B or DEO?
BF.B has the lower trailing P/E at 16.7, versus 27.1 for DEO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Brown Forman or Diageo?
Brown Forman has the higher yield at 3.55%, compared with 0.59% for Diageo.
Are Brown Forman and Diageo in the same industry?
No. Brown Forman is in the Consumer Defensive sector, while Diageo is in Consumer Staples.