Schaper Benz & Wise Investment Counsel Inc. WI Buys 9,659 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Schaper Benz & Wise Investment Counsel Inc. WI boosted its holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 21.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 55,348 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,659 shares during the period. Schaper Benz & Wise Investment Counsel Inc. WI's holdings in Diageo were worth $5,800,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Diageo during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Finally, BNP Paribas acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DEO has been the topic of several recent research reports. Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Diageo has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of Diageo stock traded down $0.66 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $101.62. 748,082 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 959,339. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $110.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $113.69. The company has a market cap of $56.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.83 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $100.72 and a 52 week high of $142.73.

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.