Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) Short Interest Up 32.9% in February

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 3,056,944 shares, an increase of 32.9% from the February 12th total of 2,299,462 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,762,092 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,762,092 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.5% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Diageo in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 3,885.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 279 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Diageo by 123.6% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 322 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Diageo by 94.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Diageo during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 8.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on DEO shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. HSBC downgraded shares of Diageo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Argus raised shares of Diageo to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Diageo from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $116.50.

Diageo Stock Up 0.8%

DEO traded up $0.62 during trading on Friday, reaching $77.37. The stock had a trading volume of 1,731,935 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,377,816. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $90.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $93.31. Diageo has a one year low of $75.77 and a one year high of $116.69.

About Diageo

Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Diageo’s core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs.