Analysts Set Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) PT at $166.37

Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) have received an average rating of “Reduce” from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $153.81.

DEO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, July 12th.

Diageo Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $123.42 on Friday. Diageo has a 12-month low of $121.98 and a 12-month high of $175.06. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $130.46 and a 200 day moving average of $139.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $1.62 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DEO. SVB Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Diageo by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 3,988 shares of the company’s stock valued at $581,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE increased its stake in Diageo by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE now owns 14,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,075,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 2,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $327,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Fragasso Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 2.5% in the first quarter. Fragasso Group Inc. now owns 2,947 shares of the company’s stock valued at $438,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avestar Capital LLC increased its position in Diageo by 4.4% in the fourth quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,754 shares of the company’s stock worth $255,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Company Profile

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.