Scientech Research LLC Invests $1.45 Million in Diageo plc $DEO

Key Points

• Scientech Research LLC has made a new investment in Diageo plc, purchasing 13,878 shares valued at approximately $1,454,000.
• Diageo announced an increase in its semi-annual dividend to $2.5192 per share, yielding an impressive 370.0%.
• The stock has seen significant activity from institutional investors, with BNP Paribas increasing its stake by 1,544.5% during the first quarter.

Scientech Research LLC bought a new position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 13,878 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,454,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of DEO. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth about $202,000. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 1,668.0% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,599 shares of the company's stock worth $331,000 after buying an additional 2,452 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in Diageo by 9.8% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 99,099 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,598,000 after buying an additional 8,851 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in Diageo by 122.7% in the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 46,901 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,987,000 after acquiring an additional 25,844 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $61,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Diageo Trading Down 0.7%

NYSE:DEO traded down $0.76 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $104.24. The stock had a trading volume of 769,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,106,444. Diageo plc has a one year low of $96.45 and a one 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 $57.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.22, a P/E/G ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.59. The business's 50 day moving average is $107.15 and its 200-day moving average is $107.94.

Diageo Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $129.00.

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.