Washington Trust Advisors Inc. Reduces Stock Position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lessened its position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 6.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 28,583 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,833 shares during the quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $3,634,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Eastern Bank grew its stake 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 purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. UBS Group upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE DEO opened at $114.12 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.66, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $105.72 and a twelve month high of $151.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $116.44 and a 200 day moving average of $124.59.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The firm 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 of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s payout ratio is 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.