Sigma Planning Corp Decreases Stock Holdings in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Sigma Planning Corp lowered its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) by 58.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,690 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,352 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Diageo were worth $246,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Planned Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Criterion Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Carmel Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Diageo during the third quarter worth about $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.97% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DEO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Diageo from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Argus lowered shares of Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $3,797.50.

Diageo Price Performance

Diageo stock opened at $138.64 on Monday. Diageo plc has a 1 year low of $135.63 and a 1 year high of $189.54. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $146.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $146.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.58.

Diageo Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a yield of 2.7%.

About Diageo

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.