Russell Investments Group Ltd. Purchases 1,016 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 50.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,042 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,016 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $387,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Eastern Bank boosted its position in Diageo by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new position in Diageo in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on DEO. Berenberg Bank started coverage on Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Down 1.3 %

NYSE DEO opened at $110.90 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $61.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.63. Diageo plc has a one year low of $100.72 and a one year high of $144.27. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $108.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.42%.

About Diageo

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The company offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavored malt beverages. It also provides Chinese, Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as flavored malt beverages, ready to drink, and non-alcoholic products.