First Command Advisory Services Inc. Lowers Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

First Command Advisory Services Inc. decreased its stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 17.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 441 shares of the company’s stock after selling 94 shares during the quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Diageo were worth $56,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Diageo in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank raised its holdings 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 acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

DEO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. TD Cowen upped their price target on 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 analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $108.53 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $117.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $125.11. Diageo plc has a 12 month low of $105.72 and a 12 month high of $153.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.84, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

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 issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s payout ratio is currently 46.42%.

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.