Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Short Interest Update

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,160,000 shares, an increase of 19.0% from the January 15th total of 974,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,150,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.0 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in Diageo by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 8,146 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,143,000 after buying an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT lifted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 3,383 shares of the company's stock worth $430,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the company's stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Diageo by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 6,944 shares of the company's stock valued at $883,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. Finally, Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,867 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on DEO. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Diageo from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Diageo presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $129.00.

Diageo Trading Down 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE:DEO traded down $1.25 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $106.47. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,084,351 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,126,786. Diageo 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 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $120.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $125.65.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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

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.