Diageo plc $DEO Shares Purchased by Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec

Key Points

• The Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec increased its stake in Diageo plc by **473.0%**, acquiring a total of **146,519 shares** valued at **$15,354,000**.
• Diageo announced a **semi-annual dividend increase** to **$2.5192 per share**, up from the previous **$1.62**, with a payout ratio of **46.42%**.
• The company's current consensus rating is **"Hold"** with a target price of **$129.00**, with both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley providing contrasting ratings on the stock.

Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec increased its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 473.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 146,519 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 120,948 shares during the period. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec's holdings in Diageo were worth $15,354,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Chiron Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 102.1% during the first quarter. Chiron Capital Management LLC now owns 17,805 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,866,000 after purchasing an additional 8,996 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 11.8% in the first quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 270,800 shares of the company's stock worth $28,785,000 after purchasing an additional 28,633 shares during the period. Harris Associates L P boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 5.8% during the first quarter. Harris Associates L P now owns 11,566 shares of the company's stock worth $1,212,000 after acquiring an additional 635 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 3,781.2% during the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 110,436 shares of the company's stock worth $11,573,000 after acquiring an additional 113,436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 2.5% during the first quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 5,634 shares of the company's stock worth $590,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Stock Up 0.4%

DEO stock traded up $0.42 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $110.16. 858,906 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,012,168. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $107.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $107.99. Diageo plc has a 1-year low of $96.45 and a 1-year high of $142.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.63. The company has a market cap of $61.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.59.

Diageo Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders 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 is an increase from Diageo's previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62. This represents a dividend yield of 370.0%. Diageo's dividend payout ratio is currently 72.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Diageo 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.