Pernod Ricard S.A.

What does Pernod Ricard own?
Pernod Ricard owns more than 240 spirits, wine, and champagne brands. The largest by revenue are Absolut (vodka, EUR 1.23 billion in FY2025), Jameson (Irish whiskey, EUR 1.12 billion), Ballantine's (Scotch whisky, EUR 913 million), Chivas Regal (Scotch whisky, EUR 480 million), Ricard (pastis, EUR 420 million), Malibu (rum, EUR 410 million), Beefeater (gin, EUR 330 million), Havana Club (rum, EUR 330 million), Martell (cognac, EUR 190 million), and The Glenlivet (single malt Scotch, EUR 140 million). The company also owns champagne houses Mumm and Perrier-Jouet, and in August 2026 took full ownership of Italicus, the Italian bergamot aperitif.

Is Pernod Ricard publicly traded?
Yes, Pernod Ricard is publicly traded on Euronext Paris under ticker RI and is a constituent of the CAC 40 index. The Ricard family maintains controlling voting rights through Societe Paul Ricard, which holds double-voting shares attached to long-held stock. This structure gives the family strategic control while the company remains publicly listed.

Who founded Pernod Ricard?
Pernod Ricard was formed in 1975 through the merger of two French spirits companies. Pernod was founded in 1805 by Henri-Louis Pernod in Pontarlier, France, originally producing absinthe. Ricard was founded in 1932 by Paul Ricard in Marseille, France, producing pastis. The merger combined the two companies into a single group. The Ricard family has maintained ownership and control since the merger.

Where is Pernod Ricard headquartered?
Pernod Ricard is headquartered in Paris, France. The company's corporate offices are located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Production facilities are spread across key spirits-producing regions, including Scotland (Chivas Brothers), Ireland (Irish Distillers), Sweden (Absolut Company), and France (Martell, Ricard, champagne houses).

How many brands does Pernod Ricard own?
Pernod Ricard owns more than 240 brands globally. The portfolio includes 15 strategic international brands (Absolut, Jameson, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Ricard, Malibu, Beefeater, Havana Club, Martell, The Glenlivet, Mumm, Perrier-Jouet, Royal Salute, Kahlua, and Olmeca), along with strategic local brands (Imperial Blue, Royal Stag in India) and numerous specialty and regional brands.

Who owns Pernod Ricard?
Pernod Ricard is controlled by the Ricard family through Societe Paul Ricard, which holds the majority of voting rights via double-voting shares. Alexandre Ricard, the great-nephew of founder Paul Ricard, serves as Chairman and CEO. The company is publicly traded on Euronext Paris, with free float available to institutional and retail investors. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard, BlackRock, and European asset managers.

What is Pernod Ricard's financial performance?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), Pernod Ricard reported net sales of EUR 10.96 billion, an organic decline of 3.0% from EUR 11.60 billion in FY2024. Profit from recurring operations was EUR 2.95 billion, with organic operating margin expansion of 64 basis points. Group share of net profit was EUR 1.63 billion, up 10%. Free cash flow was EUR 1.1 billion, up 18%. Earnings per share were EUR 7.26, and the dividend was maintained at EUR 4.70 per share.

The origins of Pernod Ricard trace to two French companies with deep roots in anise-based spirits. Pernod was founded in 1805 by Henri-Louis Pernod in Pontarlier, France, producing absinthe. After absinthe was banned in France in 1915, the company pivoted to pastis, an anise-flavored aperitif. Ricard was established in 1932 by Paul Ricard in Marseille, France, creating his own pastis brand that became wildly popular in France.

The two companies merged in 1975 to form Pernod Ricard S.A., creating a French spirits powerhouse. The merger combined two companies with similar product portfolios but different geographic strengths. Pernod was stronger internationally, while Ricard dominated the French market. The merger set the stage for decades of international expansion through acquisitions.

In 2001, Pernod Ricard partnered with Diageo to acquire Seagram's spirits and wine portfolio for $8.2 billion. The deal added Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, and Martell to Pernod Ricard's portfolio, marking its entry into premium Scotch whisky and cognac. The Seagram acquisition transformed Pernod Ricard from a primarily European company into a global spirits player.

In 2005, Pernod Ricard acquired Allied Domecq for approximately $14 billion, adding Ballantine's, Malibu, Beefeater, Mumm champagne, and Perrier-Jouet champagne. This acquisition expanded the company's presence in gin, rum, and champagne. Pernod Ricard sold some Allied Domecq brands to Fortune Brands (now Beam Suntory) to satisfy antitrust requirements.

In 2008, Pernod Ricard acquired Vin&Sprit, the Swedish state-owned producer of Absolut vodka, for approximately $8.3 billion. The acquisition gave Pernod Ricard a major position in the vodka category and significantly strengthened its presence in the United States, where Absolut was already a well-established premium vodka brand. The Absolut acquisition was the largest in Pernod Ricard's history.

In 2023, Pernod Ricard completed the disposal of several non-strategic brands, including Clan Campbell and Becherovka, as part of a portfolio simplification effort. The company also divested its wine assets in Australia and other markets to focus on its premium spirits portfolio.

For FY2025 (ended June 30, 2025), Pernod Ricard reported net sales of EUR 10.96 billion, an organic decline of 3.0% and a reported decline of 5.5% from FY2024's EUR 11.60 billion. Profit from recurring operations was EUR 2.95 billion, an organic decline of 0.8%. Group share of net profit was EUR 1.63 billion, up 10% from FY2024 due to lower non-recurring costs. Free cash flow was EUR 1.1 billion, up 18%. The company maintained its dividend at EUR 4.70 per share.

On August 27, 2026, Pernod Ricard acquired the remaining shares in Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, the Italian aperitif brand, taking full ownership. Pernod Ricard had originally invested in Italicus in March 2020, when it and Gallo each took 50% stakes. Founder Giuseppe Gallo stepped down from his operational role as part of the transaction. Italicus has sold more than three million bottles worldwide, with distribution across 47 countries and consistent double-digit annual growth. Italicus is now fully owned and integrated within the Pernod Ricard organization, strengthening the company's aperitif and RTD portfolio. Financial details of the buyout were not disclosed.

Pernod Ricard's sustainability strategy is organized under its "Good Times from a Good Place" framework, covering environmental responsibility, responsible drinking, and social impact. The company has set 2030 targets for emissions reduction, water conservation, and sustainable sourcing.

Climate targets include reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The company has invested in renewable energy at its production facilities and is working to reduce the carbon footprint of its packaging, which represents a significant portion of its Scope 3 emissions.

Water stewardship is a priority, given that water is the primary ingredient in all spirits. Pernod Ricard has set targets to reduce water consumption in distilleries and wineries and to replenish water in water-stressed watersheds where it operates.

The company promotes responsible drinking through marketing commitments, including not targeting marketing to underage consumers and supporting reduced-risk drinking patterns. Pernod Ricard is a signatory to industry responsible drinking commitments and invests in educational campaigns.

Pernod Ricard is not a Certified B Corporation. The company publishes an annual Universal Registration Document that includes sustainability disclosures aligned with European CSRD requirements.

Pernod Ricard has received recognition in the spirits industry:

• Drinks International Most Admired Spirits Brands (2025): Multiple Pernod Ricard brands including Absolut and Jameson ranked among the world's most admired spirits brands by industry peers
• IWSR Top 100 Spirits Brands: Pernod Ricard brands consistently rank among the top global spirits brands by volume and value
• Sustainability recognition: The company has received acknowledgment for its environmental initiatives, particularly in water stewardship and packaging innovation

Pernod Ricard has faced regulatory challenges in several markets. In India, the company has been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged violations of foreign exchange regulations related to its business practices. The company has cooperated with authorities and has stated that it complies with all applicable laws.

In China, an anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy imports, initiated in 2024, has created significant uncertainty for cognac producers including Pernod Ricard (Martell) and LVMH (Hennessy). The investigation led to the suspension of cognac imports in China Duty Free from December 2024. Pernod Ricard expects a strong decline in Q1 FY2026 due to the investigation's conclusion and distributor inventory overhang.

In the United States, tariff uncertainty during FY2025 impacted distributor inventory levels. The company has noted that adjustments to inventory levels are expected throughout FY2026 as tariff conditions stabilize.

Pernod Ricard has also faced scrutiny over its marketing practices, particularly regarding alcohol promotion. The company adheres to responsible marketing codes and is a member of industry self-regulatory bodies. However, public health advocates continue to push for stricter regulations on alcohol marketing, particularly in digital media.

The spirits industry broadly faces regulatory pressure from public health policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, including taxation, marketing restrictions, and minimum pricing policies in various jurisdictions.