Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Sold by Marks Group Wealth Management Inc

Marks Group Wealth Management Inc lowered its stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 7.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,208 shares of the company’s stock after selling 320 shares during the quarter. Marks Group Wealth Management Inc’s holdings in Diageo were worth $613,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Planned Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. MCF Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Criterion Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on DEO. Argus downgraded Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $3,797.50.

Diageo Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE DEO traded down $1.36 on Tuesday, hitting $140.75. The company had a trading volume of 448,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 809,220. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 0.65. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $135.63 and a 12-month high of $190.02. The business has a 50 day moving average of $146.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $146.39.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st were given a $1.62 dividend. This represents a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th.

About Diageo

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.