Levin Capital Strategies L.P. Sells 2,140 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Levin Capital Strategies L.P. decreased its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 2.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 87,353 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,140 shares during the period. Diageo accounts for about 1.4% of Levin Capital Strategies L.P.’s holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Levin Capital Strategies L.P.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $12,724,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 2,384,109 shares of the company’s stock worth $355,661,000 after buying an additional 10,269 shares during the last quarter. Markel Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 1,354,708 shares of the company’s stock worth $197,327,000 after buying an additional 4,500 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,187,543 shares of the company’s stock worth $177,156,000 after buying an additional 27,851 shares during the last quarter. HS Management Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 16.3% in the 4th quarter. HS Management Partners LLC now owns 706,205 shares of the company’s stock worth $102,866,000 after buying an additional 98,819 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 26.6% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 659,034 shares of the company’s stock worth $98,315,000 after buying an additional 138,406 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE:DEO traded down $0.37 on Thursday, reaching $136.68. 393,254 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 798,905. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $145.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $145.79. Diageo plc has a 12 month low of $135.63 and a 12 month high of $188.23.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a yield of 2.7%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on DEO shares. Argus downgraded Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. BNP Paribas downgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3,797.50.

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.