Tower Research Capital LLC TRC Raises Stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 1,021.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,092 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 22,854 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in Diageo were worth $3,190,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Eastern Bank grew its position in Diageo by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Stock Down 0.8 %

DEO traded down $0.90 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $110.73. 880,095 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 932,420. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.60 billion, a PE ratio of 16.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $108.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $117.59. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $100.72 and a 1 year high of $144.27.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DEO has been the subject of several research reports. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.