Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Purchased by Clearbridge Investments LLC

Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 5.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,114,467 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 58,206 shares during the quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned approximately 0.20% of Diageo worth $141,682,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo during the third quarter worth $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank grew its stake in Diageo by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $105.25 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $58.55 billion, a PE ratio of 15.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $103.98 and a 52 week high of $149.24. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $111.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $121.85.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s payout ratio is currently 46.42%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DEO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. TD Cowen upped their target price on Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Diageo has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $129.00.

About Diageo

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