Bleakley Financial Group LLC Buys 3,654 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 177.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 5,716 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,654 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $833,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in DEO. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Planned Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. MCF Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at about $30,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on DEO. Argus downgraded Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. BNP Paribas downgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3,778.00.

Diageo Price Performance

NYSE:DEO opened at $136.99 on Friday. 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 12 month low of $135.63 and a 12 month high of $190.02. The business’s 50-day moving average is $147.83 and its 200 day moving average is $146.83.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

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

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.