Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Purchased by Arlington Partners LLC

Arlington Partners LLC grew its holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO - Free Report) by 25.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 31,132 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 6,284 shares during the period. Diageo comprises approximately 1.7% of Arlington Partners LLC's holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Arlington Partners LLC's holdings in Diageo were worth $4,369,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in DEO. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Diageo by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 2,158 shares of the company's stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the period. Financial Counselors Inc. increased its stake in Diageo by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 2,587 shares of the company's stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 2,516 shares of the company's stock worth $317,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 8,146 shares of the company's stock worth $1,143,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, Gradient Investments LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 3,181 shares of the company's stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company's stock.

Diageo Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of DEO traded down $2.30 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $137.11. The company had a trading volume of 456,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 765,899. The company's 50 day moving average price is $133.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $133.73. The stock has a market cap of $76.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.86, a PEG ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.69. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $119.48 and a 52 week high of $161.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th were issued a $1.62 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 30th. Diageo's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.37%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on DEO shares. Citigroup raised shares of Diageo from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Diageo from an "underperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Diageo from a "neutral" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Diageo from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average 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.