Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Increases Position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 13.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,296 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,760 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $2,228,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Planned Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its position in Diageo by 97.3% during the fourth quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 217 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Criterion Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Carmel Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the 3rd quarter valued at about $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, BNP Paribas lowered Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $3,797.50.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of Diageo stock traded up $0.87 on Friday, hitting $137.44. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 683,538 shares, compared to its average volume of 826,219. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $135.63 and a 1 year high of $188.23. 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 firm has a fifty day moving average price of $145.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $145.62.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

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

Diageo Company Profile

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.