Diageo and BAT top picks for Citi as World Cup football approaches

Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE and British American Tobacco PLC (LSE:BATS) are among Citi's preferred consumer stocks heading into the summer, with the bank also expecting brewers and pub operators to benefit from improving trading conditions and this year's FIFA World Cup, which starts in just over two weeks. In spirits, Citi said Diageo could continue to recover after recently reaffirming its guidance for the 2026 financial year and accelerating strategic changes under chief executive Dave Lewis.