Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC Acquires 103 Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 2.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,735 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $475,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Diageo during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank increased its position in shares of 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 position in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the fourth quarter worth approximately $47,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Price Performance

DEO stock opened at $108.28 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $113.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $123.12. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $105.72 and a 12-month high of $149.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.81, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Diageo Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on DEO shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Diageo has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $129.00.

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.