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

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has received a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company.

Several research firms have recently commented on DEO. Bank of America raised shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DEO opened at $126.93 on Wednesday. Diageo has a 52 week low of $117.72 and a 52 week high of $154.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The firm has a market cap of $70.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.40, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.69. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $124.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $128.66.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC increased its holdings in Diageo by 1,395.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 299 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Davis Capital Management purchased a new position in Diageo during the third quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at about $56,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Diageo

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.