Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Acquired by Merit Financial Group LLC

Merit Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 151.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,024 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,024 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $526,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Savant Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its position in Diageo by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 6,944 shares of the company's stock worth $883,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Diageo by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,867 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 3,101 shares of the company's stock valued at $394,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in Diageo by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 1,286 shares of the company's stock valued at $163,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on DEO shares. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded 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 issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of DEO traded up $0.33 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $107.60. 570,428 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,048,077. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of $114.23. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $100.72 and a 12-month high of $142.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The firm has a market cap of $59.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.58.

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.