Aquatic Capital Management LLC Buys 20,098 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Aquatic Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 86.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 43,298 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 20,098 shares during the quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $5,504,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT raised its stake in Diageo by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 3,383 shares of the company's stock worth $430,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC raised its position in Diageo by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 6,944 shares of the company's stock valued at $883,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,855 shares of the company's stock worth $236,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Diageo by 8.6% during the fourth quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 1,286 shares of the company's stock worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Stock Performance

Diageo stock traded down $0.54 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $111.48. 532,897 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 926,643. Diageo plc has a 12 month low of $100.72 and a 12 month high of $144.27. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $108.40 and a 200 day moving average of $117.34. The firm has a market cap of $62.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.27, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Diageo's dividend payout ratio is 46.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently commented on DEO. Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $129.00.

About Diageo

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.