Eagle Global Advisors LLC Buys Shares of 22,160 Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Eagle Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 22,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,817,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Diversified Trust Co grew its position in shares of Diageo by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,855 shares of the company's stock valued at $236,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank increased its position in shares of Diageo by 24.6% during the fourth quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 5,407 shares of the company's stock worth $687,000 after purchasing an additional 1,069 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Diageo by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 118,712 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,660,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank boosted its stake in Diageo by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fiduciary Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $240,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on DEO shares. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $129.00.

Diageo Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of DEO traded down $0.59 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $114.80. The stock had a trading volume of 691,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 933,179. Diageo plc has a 52-week low of $100.72 and a 52-week high of $144.27. The firm has a market cap of $63.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.60. The business's fifty day moving average is $109.08 and its 200 day moving average is $116.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Diageo Announces Dividend

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

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.