Short Interest in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Increases By 54.1%

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 760,500 shares, a growth of 54.1% from the April 30th total of 493,600 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,060,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on DEO shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, May 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on shares of Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DEO traded down $0.76 during trading on Friday, reaching $108.89. The company had a trading volume of 635,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 947,673. Diageo has a 52 week low of $100.72 and a 52 week high of $142.73. The stock has a market cap of $60.58 billion, a PE ratio of 15.90, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.60. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $109.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.75.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diageo

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DEO. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

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.