Short Interest in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Decreases By 14.4%

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,464,158 shares, a decrease of 14.4% from the December 31st total of 2,880,062 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,155,558 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,155,558 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on DEO shares. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Diageo from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $116.50.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC lifted its position in Diageo by 3,885.7% in the third quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 279 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management boosted its stake in Diageo by 123.6% during the fourth quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 322 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Diageo by 94.7% during the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $97.21 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Diageo has a 52-week low of $84.52 and a 52-week high of $116.69. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $89.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $96.49.

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.