Brown-Forman Class A

BF.A

Market cap $12.3B

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BFA, BFB) today announced Lawson Whiting has decided to retire from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the appointment of a successor. The Brown-Forman Board of Directors has initiated a search pursuant to its succession process that will consider internal and external candidates. The process will be led by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is chaired by Tracy Skeans. Whiting.

Brown-Forman CEO and President Lawson Whiting has decided to retire, the company said on Monday, ​but did not provide a timeline for his departure.

Lawson Whiting, who has led the spirits giant since 2019, will remain in the role until a successor is appointed.

While Saturday's games will take place in the U.S., the excitement is mostly elsewhere, after the U.S. was knocked out of the tournament. Investors looking for a World Cup bump might be feeling similarly let down.

Dividend Aristocrats rebounded in June and are now outperforming SPY YTD with a 9.61% return versus SPY's 6.91%. CAT leads 2026 performance at +76.98%, with 46 Aristocrats now ahead of SPY and 39 posting double-digit total returns. Recent dividend increases averaged 4.09%, slightly below the 2025 average, with 2026's average dividend growth rate at 3.97%.

BF.B is driving growth through premiumization, innovation and emerging-market expansion while strengthening its premium spirits portfolio.

Brown-Forman is relying on emerging-market growth, premium spirits and innovation to offset weak developed-market demand and a cautious fiscal 2027 outlook.

BF.B offers premium brand strength, cash flow gains and innovation-led growth, but weak developed-market demand and a cautious outlook keep the story balanced.

Futures are trading higher this morning, after all the big funds and portfolio managers may have shown their hands on Wednesday, as the tech and chip stocks sell-off resumed after stocks started higher in the morning but faded in the afternoon.

Marten Lodewijks, managing director and president of IWSR, breaks down what's behind the decline in global alcohol consumption. He discusses how emerging markets are impacting overall consumption trends, misconceptions about Gen Z's role in the decline, and the boom of ready-to-drink cocktails.