Sanctuary Advisors LLC Increases Stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 3.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 77,710 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,702 shares during the quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC’s holdings in Diageo were worth $9,447,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 9.6% in the fourth quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 2,641 shares of the company’s stock valued at $336,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares during the period. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $113,000. Copperleaf Capital LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Copperleaf Capital LLC now owns 7,119 shares of the company’s stock worth $905,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. increased its stake in Diageo by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 40,586 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,160,000 after buying an additional 364 shares during the period. Finally, Hickory Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $414,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $107.82 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $105.72 and a 1 year high of $154.71. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $120.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $125.90.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DEO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $129.00.

Diageo Company 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.