Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Acquired by Versant Capital Management Inc

Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 1,354.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,618 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,438 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc's holdings in Diageo were worth $274,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Trading Up 2.9%

Shares of DEO stock traded up $3.15 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $110.74. 476,763 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 945,655. Diageo plc has a fifty-two week low of $100.72 and a fifty-two week high of $142.73. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $109.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $114.60. 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 stock has a market cap of $61.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.17, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.58.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DEO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Diageo in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Diageo has an average 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.