Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Stock Holdings Increased by Flputnam Investment Management Co.

Flputnam Investment Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 3.2% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,812 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $410,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pinnacle Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in Diageo in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in Diageo during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Planned Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the third quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DEO opened at $140.79 on Friday. Diageo plc has a one year low of $135.63 and a one year high of $190.02. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $147.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $146.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.58.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a yield of 2.7%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on DEO shares. Argus lowered Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Diageo presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3,797.50.

About Diageo

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.