Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Sold by Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management LLC reduced its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 8.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 216,136 shares of the company's stock after selling 19,843 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $27,476,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DEO. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Eastern Bank raised its position in Diageo by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Price Performance

DEO traded up $0.24 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $115.03. 655,882 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 939,055. 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 has a market capitalization of $63.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.60. The business's 50-day moving average price is $109.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $115.70. Diageo plc has a 1-year low of $100.72 and a 1-year high of $142.73.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on DEO. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday. Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Company 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.