Diageo (NYSE:DEO) Rating Increased to Buy at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Diageo (NYSE:DEO) was upgraded by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on DEO. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Diageo from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Diageo from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Diageo presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $116.50.

Diageo Stock Down 0.9%

Diageo stock opened at $73.42 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $87.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $90.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.71. Diageo has a one year low of $72.45 and a one year high of $116.69.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $202,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 9.5% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 117,022 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,800,000 after purchasing an additional 10,163 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Diageo during the second quarter worth about $252,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Diageo by 17.0% in the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,952 shares of the company’s stock worth $399,000 after purchasing an additional 574 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Choreo LLC grew its stake in Diageo by 6.0% in the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 5,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $520,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Company Profile

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.