Coleford Investment Management Ltd. Makes New Investment in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Coleford Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 71,934 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,145,000. Diageo makes up approximately 2.4% of Coleford Investment Management Ltd.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of DEO. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Price Performance

NYSE DEO opened at $108.28 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $107.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $119.13. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $100.72 and a 12-month high of $144.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.24 billion, a PE ratio of 15.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63. 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 Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on DEO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Profile

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.