Guggenheim Capital LLC Has $2.38 Million Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 79.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,732 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,294 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $2,381,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank grew its position in Diageo by 107.8% during the fourth quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Stock Performance

DEO stock traded down $1.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $110.45. 405,084 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 928,159. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $100.72 and a 52 week high of $144.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.44 billion, a PE ratio of 16.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $108.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $117.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Diageo's dividend payout ratio is 46.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DEO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One equities research analyst has 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 data from MarketBeat.com, Diageo presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.