Diageo plc $DEO Stock Position Boosted by U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC

Key Points

• U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Diageo plc by 12.3%, acquiring an additional 11,017 shares for a total of 100,870 shares worth approximately $10.17 million.
• Diageo recently announced a dividend increase to $2.5192 per share, up from $1.62, with an upcoming payment date of December 4.
• Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Hold" for Diageo, with a price target set at $129.00, reflecting varying sentiments among analysts.

U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 12.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,870 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 11,017 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $10,172,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Diageo by 3.1% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,441,300 shares of the company's stock valued at $151,034,000 after acquiring an additional 42,740 shares during the period. Confluence Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 14.0% during the second quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 1,350,826 shares of the company's stock valued at $136,217,000 after acquiring an additional 165,839 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 9.8% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,069,567 shares of the company's stock valued at $112,080,000 after acquiring an additional 95,037 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in Diageo by 2.2% in the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 434,735 shares of the company's stock worth $45,556,000 after buying an additional 9,306 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Douglas Lane & Associates LLC raised its stake in Diageo by 11.7% in the second quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 419,290 shares of the company's stock worth $42,281,000 after buying an additional 44,011 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Stock Down 1.7%

NYSE:DEO traded down $1.65 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $95.99. 1,797,898 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 993,346. Diageo plc has a fifty-two week low of $95.94 and a fifty-two week high of $142.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a market capitalization of $53.40 billion, a PE ratio of 14.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $106.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $107.26.

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 given a $2.5192 dividend. This is a boost from Diageo's previous semi-annual dividend of $1.62. This represents a dividend yield of 370.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. Diageo's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.42%.

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. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Diageo presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target 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.