Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Receives Average Rating of “Reduce” from Analysts

Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) have been given an average recommendation of “Reduce” by the seven analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $166.37.

Separately, Citigroup upgraded shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DEO. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Diageo by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 2,351,654 shares of the company’s stock valued at $349,785,000 after purchasing an additional 154,497 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Diageo by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,161,648 shares of the company’s stock valued at $301,886,000 after acquiring an additional 137,397 shares in the last quarter. Markel Group Inc. increased its holdings in Diageo by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 1,360,408 shares of the company’s stock valued at $202,347,000 after acquiring an additional 5,700 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in Diageo by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,187,543 shares of the company’s stock valued at $177,156,000 after acquiring an additional 27,851 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Diageo by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 931,740 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,474,000 after acquiring an additional 88,159 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $126.73 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $134.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $141.41. Diageo has a fifty-two week low of $124.80 and a fifty-two week high of $179.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

About Diageo

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.