Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Bought by Invesco Ltd.

Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 12.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 202,582 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 22,049 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd.'s holdings in Diageo were worth $25,754,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Eastern Bank increased its stake 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 purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth $47,000. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Price Performance

DEO stock traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $109.84. 643,076 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 925,634. The company has a market cap of $61.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63. The stock's 50 day moving average is $107.94 and its 200 day moving average is $118.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $100.72 and a 12-month high of $144.27.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $129.00.

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.