Diageo (NYSE:DEO) Reaches New 1-Year Low – Time to Sell?

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $105.22 and last traded at $105.38, with a volume of 597813 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $106.19.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised 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 company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, UBS Group upgraded 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, three have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Diageo has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Down 0.5 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $112.06 and a 200-day moving average of $122.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio is currently 46.42%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diageo

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in Diageo during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Eastern Bank boosted its stake in shares of Diageo by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

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.