Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Receives Average Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has earned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on DEO. Citigroup upgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Bank of America upgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised Diageo from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th.

Diageo Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of DEO stock opened at $134.60 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $132.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.95. Diageo has a twelve month low of $119.48 and a twelve month high of $161.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 777.3% during the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new stake in Diageo during the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

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.