Sigma Planning Corp Sells 2,352 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Sigma Planning Corp trimmed its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 58.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,690 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,352 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Diageo were worth $246,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth $27,000. Planned Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Criterion Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Finally, Carmel Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE DEO opened at $138.64 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $146.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $146.02. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $135.63 and a 1 year high of $189.54.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were given a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.7%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DEO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Argus lowered shares of Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $3,797.50.

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.