Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has been given an average rating of “Hold” by the twelve ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $106.25.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital set a $99.00 price target on shares of Diageo in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $94.44 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $85.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $84.13. Diageo has a fifty-two week low of $72.45 and a fifty-two week high of $116.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.60.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 16th will be issued a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 252.0%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diageo

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Continuum Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo during the first quarter valued at $34,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the 1st quarter valued at $54,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 2,776.0% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 719 shares of the company’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 694 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.