St. James Investment Company LLC Makes New $18.09 Million Investment in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

St. James Investment Company LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 142,285 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,089,000. Diageo makes up about 3.1% of St. James Investment Company LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Diageo during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Eastern Bank grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Diageo Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DEO opened at $105.25 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $58.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $103.78 and a 1 year high of $149.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $111.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.85.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio is 46.42%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on DEO shares. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. UBS Group raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

About Diageo

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.