Diageo (DEO) Rating Lowered to Sector Perform at Royal Bank of Canada

Diageo (NYSE:DEO) was downgraded by Royal Bank of Canada from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday. The analysts noted that the move was a valuation call.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Jefferies Group set a $157.00 target price on Diageo and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Zacks Investment Research raised Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $162.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $156.25.

Shares of Diageo (NYSE:DEO) traded down $3.17 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $141.85. The stock had a trading volume of 671,032 shares, compared to its average volume of 447,365. Diageo has a twelve month low of $110.59 and a twelve month high of $147.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.31 and a quick ratio of 0.63.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Gotham Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the 2nd quarter worth about $278,000. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter worth about $3,257,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Diageo by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 68,624 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,227,000 after acquiring an additional 3,446 shares in the last quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Diageo by 33.3% in the 2nd quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. now owns 3,107 shares of the company’s stock worth $372,000 after acquiring an additional 777 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY raised its stake in shares of Diageo by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY now owns 68,485 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,049,000 after purchasing an additional 855 shares in the last quarter. 12.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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About Diageo

Diageo PLC is an alcoholic beverage company. The Company operates in various categories, including spirits and beer. Its geographic segments include North America; Europe, Russia and Turkey; Africa; Latin America and Caribbean, and Asia Pacific. Its principal products includes Scotch whisky, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Beer, Irish Cream Liqueur, Wine, Raki, Tequila, Canadian Whisky, American Whiskey, Progressive Adult Beverages, Cachaca, Brandy and Ready to Drink.