Value Partners Investments Inc. Makes New Investment in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Value Partners Investments Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 29,921 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,139,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 234.4% in the 4th quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 2,600,702 shares of the company’s stock worth $330,627,000 after acquiring an additional 1,822,994 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in Diageo by 1,181.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,406,004 shares of the company’s stock worth $178,745,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296,285 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth approximately $123,892,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,813,938 shares of the company’s stock worth $739,126,000 after acquiring an additional 571,873 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Diageo by 3,073.4% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 209,510 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,635,000 after acquiring an additional 202,908 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on DEO. Berenberg Bank began coverage on Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Monday, May 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of Diageo stock opened at $99.89 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $55.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.58 and a beta of 0.58. 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 stock has a 50 day moving average price of $109.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $112.92. Diageo plc has a one year low of $99.26 and a one year high of $142.73.

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.