3,257 Shares in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Acquired by Hickory Asset Management Inc.

Hickory Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,257 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $414,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Diageo by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 8,146 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,143,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT boosted its holdings in Diageo by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 3,383 shares of the company’s stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Diageo by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the company’s stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co boosted its holdings in Diageo by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $236,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Finally, Malaga Cove Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Diageo by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company’s stock valued at $421,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on DEO shares. UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $107.45 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $121.39 and its 200 day moving average is $126.16. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $105.72 and a 52 week high of $154.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $1.62 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th.

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.