Clarius Group LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Clarius Group LLC lessened its holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 25.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,875 shares of the company’s stock after selling 653 shares during the quarter. Clarius Group LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $273,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at about $200,000. Perigon Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Diageo by 20.6% during the fourth quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,654 shares of the company’s stock worth $241,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Kennedy Investment Group lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Kennedy Investment Group now owns 17,970 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,618,000 after buying an additional 1,260 shares during the last quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE boosted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE now owns 14,246 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,075,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Diageo by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 34,768 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,064,000 after buying an additional 449 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Stock Performance

Diageo stock opened at $136.99 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.58. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $147.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $146.79. Diageo plc has a 12 month low of $135.63 and a 12 month high of $190.02.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 is Thursday, February 29th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DEO has been the subject of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas cut shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Argus cut Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3,778.00.

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.