Motco Grows Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Motco raised its position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 582.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 29,665 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 25,320 shares during the period. Motco’s holdings in Diageo were worth $3,771,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Diageo during the third quarter worth $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 bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. TD Cowen lifted their price target 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, UBS Group raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE DEO opened at $108.53 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $60.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The company’s 50 day moving average is $117.72 and its 200-day moving average is $125.11. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $105.72 and a 12-month high of $153.36.

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. 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.