Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Sold by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lessened its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 14.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 732,416 shares of the company's stock after selling 121,166 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.13% of Diageo worth $93,112,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of DEO stock traded down $0.54 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $111.48. The stock had a trading volume of 532,898 shares, compared to its average volume of 927,952. 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 business has a 50-day simple moving average of $108.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $117.34. The company has a market cap of $62.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63.

Diageo Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on DEO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. TD Cowen increased their target price on Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on Diageo in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo presently 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.