Strong sales of Jameson whiskey and recent acquisitions helped Pernod Ricard post a 51 per cent rise in profits to €488 million.
This was the first time the world's second largest wines and spirits group has presented consolidated results since it bought Britain's Allied Domecq last July.
Pernod Ricard said operating profit in the six months to December 31st was €767 million, up from a restated €451.5 million for the same period in 2004. Jameson sales were up 12 per cent year-on-year.
"These good figures inspire confidence for the full year and enable us to envisage currently a top of the range growth of 10 to 15 per cent in earnings per share," chairman Patrick Ricard said in a statement, slightly raising the firm's guidance.
The company makes more than 60 per cent of its sales in the second half of the year, and it has changed its financial year to July 1-June 30 to help it present more accurate forecasts.
Pernod Ricard took on debt to finance the Allied Domecq acquisition, but has since been selling assets including Dunkin Brands and Glen Grant to lower its gearing.
It said net debt was €8.774 billion at the end of the year, down more than €1 billion since the Allied acquisition.
Debt reduction should "accelerate" in the second half, thanks to 1.5 billion raised by disposals.
Pernod shares closed 1.1 per cent lower yesterday at €149.30, bucking a generally firmer Paris bourse.