Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Bought by Evergreen Capital Management LLC

Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 65.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,420 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $943,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in Diageo during the third quarter worth approximately $95,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Diageo by 71.7% during the 3rd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 1,533 shares of the company's stock worth $215,000 after acquiring an additional 640 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 3rd quarter worth $5,510,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted its position in Diageo by 550.1% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 10,532 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,478,000 after acquiring an additional 8,912 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Optimist Retirement Group LLC boosted its stake in Diageo by 23.7% in the third quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 16,681 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,341,000 after acquiring an additional 3,193 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO traded down $1.16 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $111.21. The company had a trading volume of 330,029 shares, compared to its average volume of 925,967. Diageo plc has a fifty-two week low of $100.72 and a fifty-two week high of $144.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $108.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Diageo Profile

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.