Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Hold” by the thirteen research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $116.50.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on DEO shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Argus upgraded Diageo to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 10th. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Diageo from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Zacks Research upgraded Diageo from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st.

Diageo Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of DEO stock opened at $84.30 on Friday. Diageo has a 1-year low of $72.45 and a 1-year high of $116.41. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $78.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $87.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.60.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Friday, April 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a yield of 195.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Integrated Advisors Network LLC grew its stake in Diageo by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 3,110 shares of the company’s stock worth $297,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Glenview Trust Co grew its stake in Diageo by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 2,928 shares of the company’s stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. grew its stake in Diageo by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 5,684 shares of the company’s stock valued at $542,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its stake in Diageo by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 2,992 shares of the company’s stock valued at $258,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wynn Capital LLC grew its stake in Diageo by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 4,994 shares of the company’s stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Diageo

Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Diageo’s core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs.