SG Americas Securities LLC Purchases Shares of 1,487 Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $217,000.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Stableford Capital II LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Stableford Capital II LLC now owns 3,830 shares of the company’s stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 9,366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,364,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. Rockline Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,142,000. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $620,000. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 14.0% in the fourth quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 16,939 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,467,000 after purchasing an additional 2,076 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas cut shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. Argus downgraded shares of Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $3,778.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $136.99 on Friday. Diageo plc has a 52-week low of $135.63 and a 52-week high of $190.02. The company has a 50 day moving average of $147.83 and a 200 day moving average of $146.83. 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 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 given a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.7%.

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.