3,257 Shares in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Bought by Hickory Asset Management Inc.

Hickory Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 3,257 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $414,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 3,383 shares of the company's stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC increased its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co lifted its holdings in Diageo by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,855 shares of the company's stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Malaga Cove Capital LLC boosted its position in Diageo by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company's stock valued at $421,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO traded down $1.25 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $106.47. The stock had a trading volume of 1,084,351 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,126,786. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $105.72 and a twelve month high of $154.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $120.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $125.65.

Diageo Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on DEO. UBS Group upgraded Diageo from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Diageo from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, TD Cowen raised 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Diageo has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $129.00.

Diageo 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.