Harris Associates L P Has $1.21 Million Holdings in Diageo plc $DEO

Harris Associates L P boosted its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 5.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,566 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 635 shares during the quarter. Harris Associates L P’s holdings in Diageo were worth $1,212,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth approximately $202,000. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of Diageo by 1,668.0% in the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,599 shares of the company’s stock valued at $331,000 after purchasing an additional 2,452 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of Diageo by 39.9% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 649,769 shares of the company’s stock valued at $82,605,000 after purchasing an additional 185,282 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Diageo by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,867 shares of the company’s stock worth $237,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $111.74 on Monday. Diageo plc has a 1-year low of $96.45 and a 1-year high of $142.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The business’s 50 day moving average is $106.02 and its 200-day moving average is $107.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.17 billion, a PE ratio of 16.31, a PEG ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.59.

Diageo Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Friday, October 17th will be paid a $2.5192 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. This represents a yield of 370.0%. This is a positive change from Diageo’s previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62. Diageo’s payout ratio is presently 72.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Diageo has a consensus 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.