Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Takes Position in Diageo plc $DEO

Key Points

• Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. has acquired a new stake in Diageo plc, purchasing 20,000 shares valued at approximately $2,096,000.
• Diageo's recent semi-annual dividend will increase to $2.5192 per share, with an ex-dividend date set for October 17th, reflecting a significant boost from the previous dividend.
• The stock has an average price target of $129.00, with ratings ranging from Buy to Sell, indicating a mixed outlook from analysts.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 20,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,096,000.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on DEO. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, May 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Trading Down 1.4%

DEO stock traded down $1.67 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $113.66. 536,733 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,121,290. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.63. Diageo plc has a one year low of $96.45 and a one year high of $142.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.23 billion, a PE ratio of 16.59, a PEG ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 0.53. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $104.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.75.

Diageo Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of $2.5192 per share. This is an increase from Diageo's previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62. This represents a dividend yield of 370.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. Diageo's payout ratio is presently 46.42%.

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.