Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Short Interest Update

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,012,433 shares, a decrease of 24.7% from the November 30th total of 2,672,976 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,819,937 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,819,937 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Diageo Stock Up 0.5%

DEO stock traded up $0.44 on Tuesday, hitting $86.70. 1,364,914 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,622,211. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $90.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $98.80. Diageo has a 12-month low of $85.11 and a 12-month high of $127.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on DEO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Friday, November 28th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Diageo from $117.00 to $109.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Diageo has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $120.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth $1,060,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Diageo by 11.0% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,378 shares of the company’s stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 336 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 1,544.5% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 396,676 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,568,000 after buying an additional 372,555 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Diageo by 39.9% in the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 4,210 shares of the company’s stock valued at $441,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Diageo

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.