Diageo (NYSE:DEO) Rating Increased to Buy at UBS Group

UBS Group upgraded shares of Diageo (NYSE:DEO) from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Bank of America raised Diageo from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Diageo Price Performance

NYSE:DEO opened at $131.49 on Wednesday. Diageo has a 1-year low of $117.72 and a 1-year high of $154.71. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $126.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $129.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DEO. Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 1,034.5% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 799,652 shares of the company’s stock valued at $104,443,000 after buying an additional 729,166 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 105.7% during the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 949,411 shares of the company’s stock valued at $133,240,000 after buying an additional 487,904 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Diageo by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,242,065 shares of the company’s stock worth $735,671,000 after buying an additional 437,646 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its holdings in Diageo by 416.0% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 521,920 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,939,000 after buying an additional 420,778 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Diageo by 52.3% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 853,640 shares of the company’s stock worth $119,800,000 after buying an additional 293,017 shares during the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.