Beacon Capital Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 777.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 193 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the period. Beacon Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $29,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado increased its position in shares of Diageo by 4,665.2% during the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 482,713 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,312,000 after acquiring an additional 472,583 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in shares of Diageo by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 14,621 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,129,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares in the last quarter. Beacon Financial Group purchased a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $296,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Diageo by 56.7% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 677,478 shares of the company’s stock worth $98,681,000 after buying an additional 245,255 shares during the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Diageo by 16.4% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,185 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 1,011 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE:DEO traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $122.87. 576,164 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 749,667. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $130.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $139.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $121.98 and a twelve month high of $175.06.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup raised shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, July 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Diageo currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $3,730.00.

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.