LONDON (AP) - Diageo plc., the world's largest producer and distributor of alcoholic drinks, reported yesterday that net profit was up 8.8 percent in the first half, driven by double-digit gains in sales of Johnnie Walker whiskey, Smirnoff vodka and Captain Morgan rum.

Sales of Guinness stout, which has recently struggled, were up six percent, Diageo said.

The company said its profit in the six months ending December 31 rose to £1.014 billion ($1.99 billion) compared with £932 million for the same period a year earlier.

Sales rose 6.6 percent to £4.3 billion ($8.4 billion).

The company said it was on track to meet its guidance for the full year.

"While we continue to watch for any impact that recent financial market volatility may have on broader trading conditions, we are maintaining our guidance for nine percent organic operating profit growth for the current fiscal year," said chief executive Paul Walsh.

Diageo shares were up three percent at 1,064 pence ($20.86) on the London Stock Exchange.

Keith Bowman, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said the company's report was reassuring.

He said Diageo's market share in North America is "progressing" while its "push into emerging markets continues to build momentum."