Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Sold by Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.

Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc. lessened its holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 70.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,079 shares of the company's stock after selling 28,699 shares during the quarter. Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.'s holdings in Diageo were worth $1,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co acquired a new position in Diageo during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of DEO stock traded down $1.98 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $103.51. The stock had a trading volume of 1,198,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 977,470. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $99.26 and a twelve month high of $142.73. The stock's 50 day moving average is $107.71 and its 200 day moving average is $111.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.58 billion, a PE ratio of 15.11 and a beta of 0.56.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on DEO. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Berenberg Bank began coverage on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.