Franklin Resources Inc. Decreases Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 8.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 119,038 shares of the company's stock after selling 11,589 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Diageo were worth $16,121,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in Diageo by 1,034.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 799,652 shares of the company's stock worth $104,443,000 after buying an additional 729,166 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 105.7% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 949,411 shares of the company's stock worth $133,240,000 after acquiring an additional 487,904 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Diageo by 9.1% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,242,065 shares of the company's stock valued at $735,671,000 after purchasing an additional 437,646 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 416.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 521,920 shares of the company's stock valued at $65,939,000 after purchasing an additional 420,778 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in Diageo by 52.3% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 853,640 shares of the company's stock worth $119,800,000 after purchasing an additional 293,017 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Price Performance

DEO traded down $1.77 during trading on Friday, reaching $125.47. The stock had a trading volume of 1,073,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 815,787. The business has a 50-day moving average of $125.46 and a 200-day moving average of $129.00. Diageo plc has a one year low of $117.72 and a one year high of $154.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market cap of $69.80 billion, a PE ratio of 18.18, a PEG ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.69.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America raised Diageo from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Diageo from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

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.