Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Analysts

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation, five have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $105.33.

DEO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Loop Capital set a $99.00 price objective on Diageo in a report on Thursday, June 18th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, August 10th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its position in Diageo by 2.8% in the second quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 5,513 shares of the company’s stock worth $443,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Lafayette Investments Inc. lifted its position in Diageo by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Lafayette Investments Inc. now owns 36,681 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,731,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Diageo by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,276 shares of the company’s stock valued at $318,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC lifted its position in Diageo by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC now owns 6,189 shares of the company’s stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Finally, Parrish Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Diageo by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Parrish Capital LLC now owns 6,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $517,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE DEO opened at $86.73 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $89.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $83.94. Diageo has a twelve month low of $72.45 and a twelve month high of $102.74.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 252.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 16th.

About Diageo

Diageo plc is a global beverage alcohol company headquartered in London, England. The company produces, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of spirits, beer and ready-to-drink beverages through a collection of internationally recognized brands.

Its portfolio includes Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Buchanan’s and Talisker whiskies; Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas; Tanqueray and Gordon’s gins; Baileys liqueur; Don Julio and Casamigos tequila; Captain Morgan rum; and Guinness beer.