Brokerages Set Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Target Price at $106.25

Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) have been given an average recommendation of “Hold” by the thirteen research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $106.25.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research cut shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday. Loop Capital set a $99.00 price target on shares of Diageo in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the company from $88.00 to $93.00 in a report on Thursday, June 25th.

Diageo Price Performance

Diageo stock opened at $89.16 on Thursday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $82.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $83.86. Diageo has a 1-year low of $72.45 and a 1-year high of $116.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.60.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEO. Spire Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Diageo by 123.6% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 322 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 8,000.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the period. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Diageo in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Q Fund Management Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $43,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Diageo Company Profile

Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Diageo’s core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs.