Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Receives Average Rating of "Hold" from Analysts

Key Points

• Diageo plc received an average analyst rating of "Hold" from 13 brokerages, with the group split between 2 sell, 6 hold, and 5 buy ratings. The average 12-month price target is $116.50.
• Several analysts recently adjusted their views on the stock, including upgrades from Zacks Research, Deutsche Bank, and BNP Paribas Exane, while Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell rating. This shows mixed sentiment despite some recent optimism.
• Diageo also announced a $0.80 dividend payable on June 4, and the stock was reported up 1.0% to $84.30 in Friday trading. The company’s shares have traded between a 12-month low of $72.45 and high of $116.41.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Hold" from the thirteen brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $116.50.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on DEO shares. Argus raised Diageo to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Zacks Research upgraded Diageo from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Diageo from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Arlington Trust Co LLC increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 3,885.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 279 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 123.6% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 322 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 8,000.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 324 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the period. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TX purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE DEO opened at $84.30 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $78.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $87.25. Diageo has a twelve month low of $72.45 and a twelve month high of $116.41.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 17th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 195.0%.

Diageo Company Profile

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.

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