Signaturefd LLC Increases Stock Position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Signaturefd LLC increased its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 11.7% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 7,237 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 759 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $1,054,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Planned Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. MCF Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Carmel Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the third quarter worth about $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Trading Up 1.0 %

DEO stock opened at $142.11 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $146.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $146.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 0.65. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $135.63 and a twelve month high of $190.02.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 was Thursday, February 29th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on DEO shares. BNP Paribas lowered Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Argus lowered shares of Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $3,797.50.

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.