Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Given Consensus Rating of “Reduce” by Brokerages

Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) have been given a consensus rating of “Reduce” by the eight analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company.

Several research firms recently weighed in on DEO. 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 note on Monday, August 12th. Bank of America raised shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th.

Diageo Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $137.96 on Friday. Diageo has a one year low of $119.48 and a one year high of $161.64. The company has a 50 day moving average of $133.00 and a 200-day moving average of $133.99. 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 stock has a market cap of $76.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.69.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th were paid a $1.62 dividend. This represents a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 30th. Diageo’s payout ratio is currently 71.37%.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the second quarter worth $25,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the second quarter worth $25,000. Concord Wealth Partners bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 777.3% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

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.