Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Shares Purchased by Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. raised its stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 13.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,296 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,760 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $2,228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its stake in shares of Diageo by 29.4% during the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 7,274 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,652 shares during the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Diageo by 19.1% during the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,575 shares of the company’s stock worth $235,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Diageo by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 2,138 shares of the company’s stock worth $319,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Diageo by 20.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 353,619 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,753,000 after acquiring an additional 59,597 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Diageo by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,115 shares of the company’s stock worth $763,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Price Performance

NYSE:DEO traded up $0.87 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $137.44. 683,538 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 826,219. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $145.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $145.62. Diageo plc has a 52-week low of $135.63 and a 52-week high of $188.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.58.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were given a $1.62 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, BNP Paribas downgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $3,797.50.

About Diageo

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.