Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Bought by Tocqueville Asset Management L.P.

Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 25,650 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 495 shares during the period. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $3,261,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Eastern Bank boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 107.8% during the fourth quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on DEO. UBS Group raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. TD Cowen increased their target price 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 shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Diageo currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $108.28 on Wednesday. Diageo plc has a one year low of $105.72 and a one year high of $149.44. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $113.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $123.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60. The company has a market cap of $60.24 billion, a PE ratio of 15.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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 issued a $1.62 dividend. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.42%.

Diageo Profile

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.