Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the nine research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $129.00.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on DEO. UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diageo

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Eastern Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. BNP Paribas acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Diageo Price Performance

Shares of DEO traded up $2.85 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $104.63. The company had a trading volume of 464,787 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,166,501. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Diageo has a 12-month low of $100.72 and a 12-month high of $144.27. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $109.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $120.65. The company has a market capitalization of $58.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.27, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $1.62 dividend. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Diageo's payout ratio is 46.42%.

About Diageo

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.