Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Short Interest Update

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,070,000 shares, an increase of 56.7% from the December 15th total of 682,700 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 962,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Diageo in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Eastern Bank boosted its stake 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 buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Concord Wealth Partners bought a new position in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Diageo by 1,395.0% during the third quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 299 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on DEO shares. UBS Group raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Diageo currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $129.00.

Diageo Stock Performance

NYSE:DEO traded up $1.38 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $118.75. 895,609 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,155,737. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $122.61 and its 200-day simple moving average is $127.93. Diageo has a one year low of $113.99 and a one year high of $154.71.

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.