As I write, Diageo (LSE: DGE) (NYSE: DEO.US) shares are within a whisker of 2,000p, and have now recovered all of this years losses.
The question for shareholders is whether the shares are worth more than 2,000p or whether their recent outperformance is going to lead to a period of weakness. After all, Diageos earnings are expected to fall this year, currency effects are working against the firm, and the shares look pretty expensive.
Quality worth paying for?
The argument in favour of buying Diageo stock has long been that its worth paying a premium for quality. Diageo has a high 26% operating margin, and has delivered an average return on capital employed of 16.8% over the last five years, compared to just 9.3% for brewer SABMiller.
Despite their current weakness, emerging markets such as Latin America and China offer significant medium-term growth potential for Diageo, as does the US historic trends suggest that drinkers tend to upgrade to spirits during periods of economic growth.
Although Diageos net gearing is a hefty 125%, highlighting how debt has been used to fund many of the firms successful acquisitions, Diageos high profit margins and strong cash generation mean that the firms $8.6bn net debt doesnt concern me as much as it would at most other firms.
Yes, but its all in the price
Of course, you could argue that much of Diageos growth potential is already reflected in the firms share price: Diageo shares trade on a trailing P/E of 20 and a yield of 2.6%, compared to 15.4 and 3.5% for the FTSE 100.
Whats more, the firms adjusted earnings fell by 7.4% last year, and are expected to fall or at best flatline this year, before rising in 2015/16.
Its also worth noting that Diageo has lagged the FTSE 100 over the last two years, gaining just 7% against the FTSEs 20% rise. Could this be the beginning of a period of consolidation that will bring Diageos returns back into line with the FTSE average?
Will Diageo break 2,000p?
In my view, Diageo shares can, and will, break through the 2,000p barrier again.
However, I think that it will be some time before they deliver any meaningful gains above this level, and I wouldnt be surprised to see a period of weakness in the meantime.
Overall, I rate Diageo as a hold.
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Roland Head has no position in any shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.