Aviso Financial Inc. Has $416,000 Holdings in Diageo plc $DEO

Key Points

• Aviso Financial Inc. has significantly reduced its holdings in Diageo plc by selling 238,671 shares, leaving them with just 3,966 shares valued at approximately $416,000.
• Several large investors, including Kovitz Investment Group and Royal Bank of Canada, have increased their positions in Diageo, suggesting ongoing interest despite Aviso's sell-off.
• Diageo has announced a dividend increase to $2.5192 per share, representing a yield of 370.0%, up from the previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62.

Aviso Financial Inc. decreased its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 98.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,966 shares of the company's stock after selling 238,671 shares during the period. Aviso Financial Inc.'s holdings in Diageo were worth $416,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co acquired a new position in Diageo in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Diageo Stock Performance

Diageo stock traded up $0.9830 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $115.3830. The company had a trading volume of 1,065,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,557,562. The firm has a market cap of $64.19 billion, a PE ratio of 16.84, a PEG ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Diageo plc has a one year low of $96.45 and a one year high of $142.73. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $104.99 and a 200 day moving average of $107.80.

Diageo Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 17th will be issued a $2.5192 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. This represents a yield of 370.0%. This is an increase from Diageo's previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62. Diageo's payout ratio is currently 72.55%.

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.