Hutchinson Capital Management CA Increases Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Hutchinson Capital Management CA grew its holdings in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 14.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,991 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 12,475 shares during the quarter. Diageo accounts for approximately 2.4% of Hutchinson Capital Management CA’s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding. Hutchinson Capital Management CA’s holdings in Diageo were worth $12,712,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Diageo Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE DEO opened at $107.55 on Friday. 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 business has a fifty day simple moving average of $114.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $123.52. The firm has a market cap of $59.83 billion, a PE ratio of 15.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. Diageo plc has a twelve month low of $105.72 and a twelve month high of $149.44.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on DEO shares. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. UBS Group raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One research 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.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price 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.