Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has earned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the twelve analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $106.25.

DEO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Loop Capital set a $99.00 price target on Diageo in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Zacks Research upgraded Diageo from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 25th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Monday, August 10th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Friday, July 17th.

Diageo Price Performance

DEO stock opened at $86.26 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The business has a 50 day moving average of $88.58 and a 200-day moving average of $83.45. Diageo has a 12-month low of $72.45 and a 12-month high of $104.45.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 16th will be given a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 16th. This represents a yield of 252.0%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Diageo by 18.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,508 shares of the company’s stock worth $443,000 after purchasing an additional 850 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 53.2% in the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 109,743 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,821,000 after purchasing an additional 38,104 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 637.8% in the 2nd quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 22,135 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,779,000 after purchasing an additional 19,135 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in Diageo by 6.0% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 51,613 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,149,000 after purchasing an additional 2,917 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parrish Capital LLC lifted its stake in Diageo by 3.7% in the second quarter. Parrish Capital LLC now owns 6,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $517,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Diageo

Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO) is a global beverage alcohol company headquartered in London, England. It produces, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of spirits, beer and ready-to-drink beverages, serving consumers in more than 180 countries.

Its portfolio includes brands such as Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Cîroc, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray, Don Julio, Casamigos, Guinness and Bulleit. The company’s business activities span distilling, brewing, brand development, marketing, sales and distribution across multiple alcohol categories and geographic markets.

Diageo was formed in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness.