Diageo plc (LON:DGE) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Diageo plc (LON:DGE - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,571.71 ($34.68).

DGE has been the subject of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Diageo from GBX 1,960 ($26.43) to GBX 2,010 ($27.11) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reissued a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 2,372 ($31.99) target price on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, May 21st.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Diageo news, insider John Alexander Manzoni purchased 335 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 1,955 ($26.37) per share, for a total transaction of £6,549.25 ($8,832.43). In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 981 shares of company stock valued at $1,999,510. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of LON DGE traded down GBX 47.50 ($0.64) during midday trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 1,900.50 ($25.63). 3,517,376 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,250,587. Diageo has a 1 year low of GBX 1,820 ($24.54) and a 1 year high of GBX 2,731.50 ($36.84). The stock has a market capitalization of £42.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 234.57, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 1,993.54 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 2,135.37.

Diageo Company Profile

Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, across spirits and beer, a business built on the principles and foundations laid by the giants of the industry. With over 200 brands sold in 180 countries, our portfolio has remarkable breadth. From centuries-old names to exciting new entrants, and global giants to local legends, we're building the very best brands out there, and with over 30,000 talented people based in over 135 countries, we're a truly global company.