Virtu Financial LLC Acquires New Shares in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 18,172 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,291,000.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Concord Wealth Partners purchased a new position in Diageo during the first quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 777.3% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Trading Up 0.4 %

DEO opened at $133.40 on Wednesday. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $119.48 and a 1 year high of $161.64. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $129.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.55.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.2%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on DEO. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Diageo from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. Citigroup raised shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold”.

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.