Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Diageo has a consensus “Hold” rating from 12 analysts: six rate it a buy, five a hold and one a sell. The average 12-month price target is $106.25.
• Recent analyst views were mixed, with UBS maintaining a neutral rating, Zacks upgrading the stock to hold, TD Cowen reiterating buy and Weiss Ratings maintaining a sell rating.
• Diageo shares opened at $86.26, within a 52-week range of $72.45 to $104.45. The company also declared a $1.20-per-share dividend payable December 3 to shareholders of record October 16.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of "Hold" from the twelve analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $106.25.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on DEO shares. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Zacks Research raised Diageo from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $99.00 target price on Diageo in a report on Thursday, June 18th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diageo

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Glenview Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 2,928 shares of the company's stock worth $253,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 2,992 shares of the company's stock valued at $258,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Intrust Bank NA lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 3,270 shares of the company's stock valued at $282,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,792 shares of the company's stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lafayette Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Diageo by 0.4% during the first quarter. Lafayette Investments Inc. now owns 36,681 shares of the company's stock worth $2,731,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $86.26 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Diageo has a 1-year low of $72.45 and a 1-year high of $104.45. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $88.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $83.45.

Diageo Announces Dividend

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

Diageo Company Profile

Diageo plc NYSE: DEO is a global beverage alcohol company headquartered in London, England. It produces, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of spirits, beer and ready-to-drink beverages, serving consumers in more than 180 countries.

Its portfolio includes brands such as Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Cîroc, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray, Don Julio, Casamigos, Guinness and Bulleit. The company's business activities span distilling, brewing, brand development, marketing, sales and distribution across multiple alcohol categories and geographic markets.

Diageo was formed in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness.

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