Diageo launches $2bn bond transaction overnight

Diageo has launched and priced an SEC-registered $2bn bond transaction, it announced on Wednesday morning.

The FTSE 100 distilling giant said the issue, launched overnight, consisted of $500m in floating rate notes due May 2020, $500m in 3% notes due May 2020, $500m in 3.5% notes due September 2023, and $500m in 3.875% notes due May 2028.

“The issuer of the bonds is Diageo Capital, with payment of principal and interest fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Diageo,” the company’s board said in its statement.

Barclays, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and UBS Investment Bank were joint active book-running managers.

“Proceeds from this issuance will be used for general corporate purposes,” the board added.