MQS Management LLC Invests $643,000 in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 5,097 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $643,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in DEO. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Diageo in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Diageo by 777.3% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Diageo Stock Performance

Diageo stock opened at $132.92 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $129.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $135.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Diageo plc has a 1-year low of $119.48 and a 1-year high of $161.64.

Diageo Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.2%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on DEO shares. Bank of America upgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Citigroup upgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Diageo from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, July 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Diageo 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.