Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Short Interest Up 56.7% in December

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,070,000 shares, an increase of 56.7% from the December 15th total of 682,700 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 962,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group raised 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 upped their price objective on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Diageo has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of Diageo stock traded up $1.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $118.75. The company had a trading volume of 895,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,155,737. Diageo has a one year low of $113.99 and a one year high of $154.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $122.61 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.93.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Diageo by 1.1% in 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 last quarter. Diversified Trust Co boosted its holdings in Diageo by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $236,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC increased its position in Diageo by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company’s stock valued at $421,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC increased its position in Diageo by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 3,891 shares of the company’s stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. Finally, Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 2,542 shares of the company’s stock worth $357,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

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.