Diageo (NYSE:DEO) Upgraded at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo (NYSE:DEO) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on DEO. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Argus raised shares of Diageo to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 10th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research upgraded Diageo from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $116.50.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DEO opened at $73.35 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Diageo has a 52 week low of $72.45 and a 52 week high of $116.69. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $86.44 and its 200 day moving average is $90.11.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Friday, April 17th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a yield of 207.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 17th.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $202,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted 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 valued at $11,800,000 after purchasing an additional 10,163 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the second quarter worth $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 during the period. Finally, Choreo LLC raised its holdings 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.

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.