Diageo plc

(RTTNews) - Asahi Group Holdings (ASBRF.PK) has made the decision to acquire, 100% of the shares in Diageo Kenya Limited with a consideration of approximately 365.2 billion yen, and 53.68% of the shares in UDV Kenya Limited with a consideration of approximately 100.2 billion yen, from two subsidiaries of Diageo plc. The company has entered into a separate sale and purchase agreement with each of the two Diageo subsidiaries. Through the Transaction, Asahi will indirectly acquire 65.00% of the shares in East African Breweries which markets beer, spirits and RTD beverages in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Asahi Group stated that it currently has no intention of acquiring the publicly traded shares of East African Breweries beyond a 65.00% shareholding, and intends to maintain EABL's listings.
East African Breweries is listed on the securities exchanges in Kenya, and is cross-listed in Uganda and Tanzania, and 35.00% of its shares are held by public shareholders.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Asahi To Indirectly Acquire 65.00% Of Shares In East African Breweries

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 15, 2025 – Zacks Equity Research shares Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI), as the Bull of the Day and, Diageo DEO, as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on — Micron Technology, Inc. MU, Palantir Technologies Inc. PLTR and NVIDIA Corp. NVDA.
Here is a synopsis of all three stocks:
Gold Fields Ltd. is one of the market’s premier gold mining companies having outperformed the broad market and industry average on all look back periods since 2014. GFI is the eighth largest producer of gold in the world, with mines operating in Australia, Chile, Ghana, Peru and South Africa and Canada. Over the last five years the stock has compounded at an average annual rate of 38%, bolstered in part by the bull market in gold, but also in its high-level operating leverage.
Gold Fields enjoys one of the best fundamental setups among the gold mining sector, with some of the highest growth forecast for its top and bottom line, complimented by a bargain valuation and institutional level scale. In addition to robust fundamentals, the stock is also showing signs of technical strength; both GFI stock and gold itself are forming compelling bullish patterns.
Finally, Gold Fields has experienced significant upgrades to its earnings estimates, giving it a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating. These catalysts all together make Gold Fields a worthy consideration for investors looking to gain exposure to gold and diversify away from the stock market.
Tailwinds for Gold Mining Stocks
Gold remains in a powerful bull market, rising more than 60% this year and outperforming major equity indexes since 2019. The backdrop driving this strength, persistent geopolitical uncertainty, rising global tensions, and elevated fiscal risks, has only intensified. There is little indication that these forces will ease anytime soon. At the same time, global central banks have been accumulating gold at the fastest pace in decades, creating a structural source of demand that supports higher prices.
As noted earlier, both the underlying commodity and GFI are forming bullish technical patterns. In the chart below, we can see that GFI broke out and then pulled back into its prior range. The key levels to watch remain the upper boundary near $44 and the lower boundary around $37.50. A decisive close above or below these levels would signal the direction of the next major move. Given the strong buying flows into gold and gold-linked equities, I continue to favor an upside resolution.
Gold Fields Limited Shares Trade at a Discount to Growth
Gold Fields is delivering one of the strongest growth profiles in the precious metals industry. The company is expected to increase sales by 79% this year and an additional 26.5% next year, while earnings are projected to grow at an impressive 51.4% annually over the next three to five years. Few miners are generating that kind of multi-year growth outlook.
Despite this exceptional trajectory, GFI trades at a forward earnings multiple of just 14.2x. That is meaningfully below the industry average of roughly 19x and sits right in line with the company’s own long-term historical valuation. When a business with this level of earnings acceleration trades at a multiple this low, the result is a deeply discounted PEG ratio. In Gold Fields’ case, the PEG stands at just 0.28, signaling that investors are paying very little for an extremely high rate of earnings expansion.
Should Investors Buy Shares in GFI?
Gold Fields offers a rare blend of high growth, strong operating leverage, and an attractive valuation. The company is expanding faster than most of its peers, yet its shares still trade at a meaningful discount to the industry. With gold in a powerful uptrend and GFI forming bullish technical patterns, the stock appears well-positioned for further gains.
For investors seeking exposure to gold, a hedge against market volatility, or simply a high-quality growth story within the mining sector, Gold Fields stands out as a compelling opportunity.
One of the most surprising consumer trends in recent years has been the sharp decline in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger generations. Alcohol usage in America has dropped from 60% in 2023 to just 54% today, the lowest level recorded since tracking began in 1939.
Not surprisingly, spirits sales volumes in the US have stagnated, with surveys showing a growing share of consumers cutting back on or eliminating alcohol altogether. This shift has created a difficult operating environment for legacy alcohol companies like Diageo.
Diageo shares have reflected those challenges, severely underperforming the already underperforming industry and the market year-to-date as both earnings and sales growth expectations trend lower. Even after such a decline, DEO still doesn’t trade an especially discounted valuation as earnings shrink. Until Diageo can reinvent its portfolio to align with shifting consumer preferences, or the alcohol consumption trend reverses, investors may be better off avoiding the name.
Diageo Shares Fall on Continuous Earnings Downgrades
Diageo currently holds a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), reflecting a steady stream of downward earnings revisions over the past two months. The weakness is not new. As the chart below shows, analysts have been cutting earnings estimates consistently since mid-2022, and the company has struggled to regain momentum.
This decline in estimates mirrors the company’s fundamental performance. Both sales and earnings have followed the same downward trend over the last two years, which has naturally weighed on the stock price. Since 2022, revenue has been essentially flat, with no meaningful growth expected this year or next. Earnings have fared even worse, falling roughly 20% over the same period, and forecasts show little sign of improvement going forward.
With deteriorating fundamentals, stagnant demand trends, and persistent estimate cuts, Diageo’s near-term outlook remains challenged conditions that continue to justify the stock’s current Zacks Rank and the ongoing pressure on its share price.
Should Investors Avoid DEO Stock?
Given the persistent decline in alcohol consumption, stagnant sales trends, and steady stream of earnings downgrades, Diageo’s challenges appear far from temporary. The company is facing both structural headwinds in consumer behavior and company-specific pressure on growth and margins. With no meaningful recovery in revenue or earnings expected in the near term, and valuations still not compelling relative to the risk, Diageo offers little justification for new investment.
Until the company can reposition its portfolio to match shifting consumer preferences or demonstrate a credible path back to growth, DEO is likely to remain under pressure. For now, investors may be better served focusing on areas of the market where fundamentals are improving rather than deteriorating.
Additional content:
Top 3 AI Stocks, Including NVIDIA to Buy Now for 2026 Growth
Like in 2025, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to persist in 2026 and beyond, driving demand for AI hardware, software and cloud infrastructure worldwide. Micron Technology, Inc., Palantir Technologies Inc. and NVIDIA Corp. have already ridden the AI wave and are well poised to gain from the expanding trend, making them attractive investment opportunities for the year ahead. Let’s see in detail –
Micron Raises Outlook as HBM Demand Booms, Delivering Strong FY25
Micron’s status as the sole U.S.-based memory manufacturer has given the company a distinct advantage to ride the accelerating AI wave. That’s why Micron’s CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, said that the company “is entering fiscal 2026 with strong momentum.”
The incessant demand for Micron’s high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which can curb power consumption and process large volumes of data, has driven the company’s performance in fiscal 2025. In the fiscal fourth quarter, Micron reported revenues of $11.32 billion, an increase from $7.75 billion in the prior year. For the full fiscal year, revenues reached $37.38 billion, up from $25.11 billion in the previous year, according to investors.micron.com.
Strong demand for HBM chips prompted Micron to raise its fiscal first-quarter revenue outlook to $12.5 billion. Micron’s cloud memory business also showed signs of improvement, and the company reported a net income of $8.54 billion for fiscal 2025. On this optimism, Micron’s estimated earnings growth rate for the next fiscal year is a solid 24.4%.
Palantir Sees Strong Growth as AIP Soars in U.S. Markets
A larger number of clients, both from the U.S. commercial sector and government segment, are adopting Palantir’s successful Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). The growing demand for AIP is expected to fuel the company’s revenue growth and profitability.
Palantir has already raised its fourth-quarter sales outlook to between $1.327 billion and $1.331 billion. For the full fiscal year, the revenue guidance has been increased to between $4.396 billion and $4.400 billion, as mentioned on investors.palantir.com.
In the third quarter, Palantir’s revenues were $1.18 billion, up 63% year over year and 18% sequentially. U.S. commercial segment revenues were $397 million for the quarter, up 121% year over year and 29% quarter over quarter. Government revenues came in at $486 million, up 52% from last year and 14% from last quarter.
Thus, the rise in U.S. commercial clientele indicated future growth potential, and an increase in government contracts strengthened barriers to entry. Banking on this optimism, Palantir’s projected earnings growth rate for the next year is a promising 42.5%.
AI Hardware and GPU Demand Boost NVIDIA’s Growth
NVIDIA’s competitive advantage in the AI hardware market, coupled with consistent demand for its CUDA software platform, is expected to drive growth. The recent green signal from the Trump administration allowing NVIDIA to ship H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China is likely to boost growth.
Additionally, NVIDIA is well-positioned to sell its popular computing hardware, as global data center capital expenditures are projected to reach $3 trillion to $4 trillion annually by 2030, according to the company.
Meanwhile, incessant demand for NVIDIA’s innovative Blackwell chips and cloud graphics processing units (GPUs) has boosted its fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenues to $57 billion, up 62% year over year and 22% quarter over quarter, citing investor.nvidia.com.
What’s more, the company anticipates fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 revenues to reach about $65 billion, with a margin of plus or minus 2%. Due to all these positives, NVIDIA’s expected earnings growth rate for next year is an encouraging 52.4% (read more: NVIDIA or BigBear.ai: Which AI Stock Has Bigger Upside in 2026?).
Currently, NVIDIA and Micron sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Palantir has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
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Gold Fields and Diageo have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

Diageo (DEO), the global spirits giant behind brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Tanqueray, has been struggling to keep up with the market. Compounding the challenges, Diageo's stagnant sales growth over the past three years raises serious concerns.
Additionally, the company has declining earnings estimates over the last year, indicating continued bearishness from analysts and giving it a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) rating. DEO stock has significantly underperformed both its industry peers and the broader market, raising alarms about its near-term prospects.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Diageo Sales Stall and Earnings Estimates Fall
Diageo’s revenue growth has remained sluggish over the past few years, struggling to gain momentum. As shown in the revenue chart, sales have hovered within a narrow range, with no significant growth since 2021. This stagnation is concerning, particularly for a company that relies on premium branding and global expansion to drive revenue.
The weak top-line performance is now reflected in Diageo’s earnings outlook. Analysts have unanimously lowered earnings expectations for both this year and next year. Estimates for this year decreased by 4.2% and 3.5% the next year.
With falling earnings estimates and a stock price that continues to underperform, Diageo appears to be facing structural challenges that are likely to limit its upside potential in the near term.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Diageo Fights Demographic Shifts
One of the biggest headwinds facing Diageo is the changing drinking habits of younger consumers. Simply put, young people are drinking less than previous generations, posing a long-term challenge for alcohol producers.
A 2023 Gallup survey highlights this shift, showing that the percentage of adults under 35 who say they drink alcohol has declined from 72% in 2001-2003 to just 62% in 2021-2023. This drop reflects broader lifestyle changes, with younger generations placing a higher emphasis on health and wellness, as well as a greater willingness to experiment with alcohol-free alternatives.
Should Investors Avoid DEO Stock?
With stagnant sales growth, declining earnings estimates, and shifting consumer trends working against it, Diageo faces significant challenges in the near term. The company’s premium branding has historically been a strength, but younger consumers’ changing drinking habits and increased competition from non-alcoholic alternatives could weigh on long-term growth.
Until Diageo can reignite sales growth or show a reversal in earnings trends, investors may want to steer clear of DEO stock and look for stronger opportunities elsewhere.
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Bear of the Day: Diageo (DEO)

The GMO International Quality ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Tuesday, with over 2.4 million shares traded versus three month average volume of about 51,000. Shares of QLTI were off about 0.6% on the day.
Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Tuesday were Haleon, trading off about 0.6% with over 7.5 million shares changing hands so far this session, and Novo Nordisk, down about 0.7% on volume of over 6.8 million shares. Unilever is the component faring the best Tuesday, higher by about 3.3% on the day, while Diageo is lagging other components of the GMO International Quality ETF, trading lower by about 2.6%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Tuesday's ETF with Unusual Volume: QLTI

An updated edition of the Sept. 26, 2025, article.
Investing in the stock market often brings to mind themes of growth, innovation, and long-term value creation, but beneath the surface lies a niche segment that has historically delivered outsized returns: sin stocks. These are companies operating in industries often considered socially or morally controversial, including alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons manufacturing, and, at times, cannabis. Despite their reputational baggage, sin stocks tend to benefit from remarkably stable demand, even during economic downturns, making them a fascinating and sometimes lucrative corner of the market.
The “sin stocks” market works on a simple principle: human behavior is consistent. Consumers continue to consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or gamble, regardless of economic cycles, creating reliable cash flows and resilient business models. Additionally, many institutional investors avoid these sectors due to ethical mandates, reducing competition and often leaving the “sin stocks” undervalued relative to their earnings power.
Understanding Sin Stocks and Why These Attract Investors
For investors, understanding how sin stocks behave and why they often outperform opens the door to a unique strategy that blends behavioral finance with value-driven fundamentals. Whether viewed as contrarian plays or defensive assets, sin stocks challenge traditional investing norms and highlight the complex interplay between ethics, risk and long-term return.
Despite societal criticism, sin stocks consistently attract investors thanks to resilient demand, a reliable revenue base, high profit margins and strong cash flows. The rationale is straightforward: the demand for these products tends to be inelastic as people keep buying regardless of economic cycles or social trends. With pricing power, brand loyalty and reliable revenues, these companies remain profitable pillars in their markets, offering economic defensiveness for investors focused on returns over ethics.
While sin stocks offer potentially high returns, these come with unique risks. Regulatory scrutiny is a constant threat, as governments may impose higher taxes, stricter advertising rules, or outright bans. Public sentiment and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing trends can also limit institutional capital inflows. However, for investors willing to accept these ethical and regulatory risks, sin stocks often trade at attractive valuations relative to their cash flows.
For example, Philip Morris International PM, one of the world’s largest tobacco producers, is progressing well with its business transformation in the face of consumers' rising health consciousness and stern regulations to dissuade smoking. As a result, the tobacco giant has been expanding in the reduced-risk products or smoke-free category, with products like IQOS (a heating tobacco device) and ZYN. Philip Morris has been benefiting from strong pricing power and an expanding smoke-free portfolio.
Beyond stability, many sin stocks benefit from regulatory moats that discourage new entrants. Governmental oversight and compliance costs serve as high barriers, often allowing established players to dominate with little threat of disruption. This market insulation, combined with aggressive marketing and brand loyalty, helps sustain profitability.
Diageo Plc DEO, a global leader in alcoholic beverages, enjoys market insulation through stringent distribution laws, excise taxes, and strong consumer preference for brands like Johnnie Walker and Guinness. This regulatory protection, combined with its extensive brand portfolio, allows Diageo to consistently generate strong cash flows and maintain pricing power across global markets.
Ultimately, investors must carefully assess whether sin stocks align with their financial objectives and personal values.
Trends in Sin Stock Sectors
Sin stocks are evolving as consumer preferences, regulations, and market dynamics shift across industries. In alcohol, premiumization continues to drive growth, with consumers favoring craft, super-premium, and low- or no-alcohol options. Companies like Diageo and Constellation Brands STZ are capitalizing on this trend, blending innovation with established brand strength.
Tobacco is undergoing a transformation, as firms pivot toward reduced-risk products such as vaping, heated tobacco, and smokeless alternatives, responding to health concerns and regulatory pressures. The cannabis sector is expanding rapidly in regions embracing legalization, offering high growth but elevated volatility.
Gambling and gaming are also benefiting from technology, with online and mobile platforms unlocking new revenue streams and attracting younger audiences.
Across all sin stock sectors, regulatory shifts remain a critical factor, creating barriers for newcomers while rewarding established players who can navigate compliance. Investors focusing on these trends can identify resilient, profitable opportunities within this controversial yet enduring niche.
If you are looking to capitalize on these trends, our Sin Stocks Screen makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as Turning Point Brands TPB, Las Vegas Sands LVS and Universal Corporation UVV.
Explore 36 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and uncover your next big opportunity.
Turning Point Brands offers a portfolio of branded consumer products spanning smoking accessories, modern oral alternatives, and consumables with active ingredients. The company’s well-known Zig-Zag, Stoker’s, FRE, and Alp Pouch lines give the company a strong foothold across both mature and rapidly evolving categories.
TPB’s investment case is underpinned by its growing focus on modern oral products, a segment showing strong adoption and supported by plans to establish U.S. production, which signals long-term confidence in the platform. Stoker’s continues to demonstrate brand strength and resilient demand, while Zig-Zag maintains relevance through broad retail reach and strategic category management. Management is deploying fresh capital into high-return opportunities that expand scale, enhance supply chain capability, and advance regulatory pathways for key products. Coupled with a flexible capital allocation framework and active brand stewardship, TPB is positioning itself for sustained growth, stronger margins and durable competitive advantages over time.
Together, these factors position the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company as a compelling long-term investment anchored by a strengthening market position and a clear strategic vision. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Las Vegas Sands offers a leading portfolio of integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore, supported by recently completed investment programs that elevate product quality and guest experience. The company’s strategy centers on strengthening its position in Asia’s expanding tourism markets through continued reinvestment, enhanced hotel and entertainment offerings and long-term commitments to both jurisdictions.
Robust performance at Marina Bay Sands and sustained momentum in Macao underscore the durability of its competitive advantages. With strong cash generation, disciplined capital deployment, and active share repurchases, the Zacks Rank #1 company is well-positioned to pursue new market opportunities and drive long-term growth.
Universal Corporation operates as a leading global supplier of leaf tobacco, supported by long-standing customer relationships and a broad footprint across key sourcing regions. Management highlights continued execution on its diversification strategy, expanding beyond its core leaf operations into adjacent ingredients and plant-based solutions that complement its value chain. The company emphasizes disciplined cost control, strong customer engagement, and a focus on supply-chain reliability as market conditions normalize.
UVV’s long-term plans include deepening its role as a preferred partner for manufacturers, leveraging its processing expertise and global network to capture incremental demand. With stable market positioning, ongoing operational improvements, and a strategic shift toward higher-value, growth-oriented categories, the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is positioned to deliver steady, resilient expansion over time.
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This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
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Top Sin Stocks to Buy Now for Power, Predictability & Long-Term Gains

Key Points
Diageo owns a strong portfolio of alcohol brands.
The company's 200-plus brands generate $20 billion in annual revenue.
It trades at a low price-to-earnings multiple that may undervalue its long-term prospects.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway ended the third quarter with a $283 billion stock portfolio comprising several quality companies that pay dividends. Berkshire held 10 stocks with dividend yields that were at least twice the average yield of the S&P 500.
If I were to buy one high-yielding dividend stock from Berkshire's portfolio, it would be Diageo (NYSE: DEO). This alcohol beverage powerhouse appears significantly undervalued. Investors can enjoy the high yield while also benefiting from substantial gains on the stock over the next few years.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Why Diageo stock is a buy
Diageo is the world's leading spirits company, and it owns iconic brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, and Captain Morgan. The stock has fallen around 26% this year, which reflects weakening demand trends that are not isolated to Diageo. Other industry peers are also experiencing weak sales right now, but these are usually the best times to buy these stocks.
It's a sure bet that people will still be drinking alcohol in another 100 years, as they have for ages. Sales can go through periods of weakness, but Diageo will almost certainly see better days ahead.
The approximately 4.5% forward dividend yield, which is supported by the company's consistent free cash flow generation, indicates solid value in the stock. Diageo doesn't increase its dividend every year, but it has steadily grown its bi-annual dividend payment over the last 25 years. The stock rarely drops low enough to offer a yield above 4%, making now a great time to buy shares.
Management expects adjusted (non-GAAP) net sales to remain flat or slightly decline for the whole year, while cost savings are expected to drive an increase in adjusted operating profit. This is likely to result in approximately $3 billion in full-year free cash flow. Diageo has paid an average of 85% of its free cash flow to fund dividends over the last three years, making the current payout sustainable.
This business has tremendous distribution capabilities and global scale. It has more than 200 brands generating $20 billion in annual revenue. Its geographic diversification can help the company weather a period of soft demand in any single market.
Berkshire's small $21 million stake, which it has held for almost three years, signals confidence in Diageo's long-term prospects. The stock is trading at a forward (1-year) price-to-earnings multiple of 13.8 at the time of writing, which is half the valuation multiple it traded at two years ago. This means the stock could potentially double in value if investors rerate the stock to its previous price-to-earnings multiple.
The strong brand portfolio, high yield, and upside potential on the stock alone are why Diageo is my favorite high-yield stock from Berkshire's portfolio.
Should you invest $1,000 in Diageo Plc right now?
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John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Diageo Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Warren Buffett's Portfolio Includes 10 High-Yield Dividend Stocks -- Here's My Top Pick

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itself. For the First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund ETF (Symbol: FVD), we found that the implied analyst target price for the ETF based upon its underlying holdings is $51.46 per unit.
With FVD trading at a recent price near $46.25 per unit, that means that analysts see 11.27% upside for this ETF looking through to the average analyst targets of the underlying holdings. Three of FVD's underlying holdings with notable upside to their analyst target prices are Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (Symbol: TAK), Diageo plc (Symbol: DEO), and BCE Inc (Symbol: BCE). Although TAK has traded at a recent price of $14.09/share, the average analyst target is 28.46% higher at $18.10/share. Similarly, DEO has 14.62% upside from the recent share price of $96.99 if the average analyst target price of $111.17/share is reached, and analysts on average are expecting BCE to reach a target price of $26.04/share, which is 14.37% above the recent price of $22.77. Below is a twelve month price history chart comparing the stock performance of TAK, DEO, and BCE:
Below is a summary table of the current analyst target prices discussed above:
Name
Symbol
Recent Price
Avg. Analyst 12-Mo. Target
% Upside to Target
First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund ETF
FVD
$46.25
$51.46
11.27%
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
TAK
$14.09
$18.10
28.46%
Diageo plc
DEO
$96.99
$111.17
14.62%
BCE Inc
BCE
$22.77
$26.04
14.37%
Are analysts justified in these targets, or overly optimistic about where these stocks will be trading 12 months from now? Do the analysts have a valid justification for their targets, or are they behind the curve on recent company and industry developments? A high price target relative to a stock's trading price can reflect optimism about the future, but can also be a precursor to target price downgrades if the targets were a relic of the past. These are questions that require further investor research.
Also see:
Institutional Holders of SIAL
MUR market cap history
FCB market cap history
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Analysts See 11% Gains Ahead For FVD

Key Points
Buffett will soon retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after decades of success.
The company's portfolio illustrates some of Buffett's key philosophies and best stock ideas.
Buffett's decision to accumulate so much cash in recent years will be a fascinating topic years from now.
Wall Street will soon enter a new era.
That will occur in January, when multi-billionaire and investing legend Warren Buffett retires from his post as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) at the end of 2025. It marks the end of a decades-long career, leading the famous holding company to become one of the world's largest corporations.
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Investors have long followed Buffett and team's stock picks via a massive portfolio within Berkshire Hathaway. Today, that portfolio spans 46 individual stocks, worth approximately $313 billion as of the latest regulatory filings.
Here is a dive into what Berkshire Hathaway currently owns, as well as a controversial Buffett decision that investors could debate for years to come.
The 46 stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's $313 billion portfolio, listed in tiers
Buffett's favorites, the core holdings
One thing that immediately stands out is that Buffett isn't afraid to lean into a winning idea. Berkshire Hathaway maintains a diversified portfolio, but Buffett has concentrated on his favorite ideas. As a result, Berkshire Hathaway's 10 largest holdings total approximately 82.1% of the portfolio.
Rank
Company Name
Position Value
Portfolio Weight (%)
1.
Apple
$75.9B
24.2%
2.
American Express
$54.6B
17.4%
3.
Bank of America
$32.2B
10.3%
4.
Coca-Cola
$27.6B
8.8%
5.
Chevron
$18.8B
6%
6.
Moody's
$11.8B
3.8%
7.
Occidental Petroleum
$10.9B
3.5%
8.
Mitsubishi
$9.3B
3%
9.
Kraft Heinz
$8.0B
2.6%
10.
Itochu
$7.8B
2.5%
Source: All data per 13F and associated regulatory filings current through Aug. 14, 2025. Position values and portfolio weights are rounded.
You'll find that Berkshire Hathaway has held some of these stocks, such as American Express and Coca-Cola, for decades. It shows that holding on to your winning stocks can continue to have a positive impact on your portfolio over time.
Additionally, Buffett has famously favored dividend stocks. He has made it clear that he enjoys dividends, even if he opted against Berkshire Hathaway paying one, preferring to reinvest the company's earnings instead.
Diversification at work
Once you get through the top 10, you'll find a wide range of smaller positions across various industries, including insurance, financial services, technology, consumer products, and more. These 14 stocks account for approximately 14.8% of Berkshire's portfolio.
Rank
Company Name
Position Value
Portfolio Weight (%)
11.
Chubb Limited
$7.5B
2.4%
12.
Mitsui & Co
$7.2B
2.3%
13.
DaVita
$3.9B
1.2%
14.
Marubeni
$3.8B
1.2%
15.
Sumitomo
$3.4B
1.1%
16.
Kroger
$3.3B
1%
17.
Sirius XM Holdings
$2.9B
0.9%
18.
Visa
$2.9B
0.9%
19.
Amazon
$2.2B
0.7%
20.
Mastercard
$2.2B
0.7%
21.
VeriSign
$2.1B
0.7%
22.
UnitedHealth Group
$1.7B
0.6%
23.
Constellation Brands
$1.7B
0.6%
24.
Capital One Financial
$1.6B
0.5%
Source: All data per 13F and associated regulatory filings current through Aug. 14, 2025. Position values and portfolio weights are rounded.
You'll find some of Berkshire's recent purchases in this group. The company invested in Chubb Limited in 2023 and in UnitedHealth Group earlier this year, after its controversy-driven tumble. Buffett has publicly discussed missing out on e-commerce giant Amazon, though a couple of Buffett's investment managers at Berkshire Hathaway eventually added the stock as a relatively minor position.
Spreading capital across various small bets
The remainder of the portfolio amounts to just 3% of Berkshire Hathaway's holdings, but don't dismiss them! Their cumulative value is just shy of $10 billion. Even the small positions matter when you manage this much capital.
Rank
Company Name
Position Value
Portfolio Weight (%)
25.
Aon PLC
$1.3B
0.4%
26.
Ally Financial
$1.1B
0.4%
27.
Domino's Pizza
$1.1B
0.3%
28.
Nucor
$1.0B
0.3%
29.
Liberty Live (Series C)
$1.0B
0.3%
30.
Pool Corp
$1.0B
0.3%
31.
Lennar (Class A)
$0.9B
0.3%
32.
Louisiana-Pacific
$0.5B
0.2%
33.
Liberty Live (Series A)
$0.4B
0.1%
34.
Heico (Class A)
$0.3B
0.1%
35.
Liberty Formula One (Series C)
$0.3B
0.1%
36.
Charter Communications
$0.2B
0.1%
37.
D.R. Horton
$0.2B
0.1%
38.
Lamar Advertising
$0.1B
0%
39.
Allegion
$0.1B
0%
40.
NVR
<$0.1B
0%
41.
Jefferies Financial Group
<$0.1B
0%
42.
Lennar (Class B)
<$0.1B
0%
43.
Diageo
<$0.1B
0%
44.
Liberty Latin America (Series A)
<$0.1B
0%
45.
Liberty Latin America (Series C)
<$0.1B
0%
46.
Atlanta Braves Holdings (Series C)
<$0.1B
0%
Source: All data per 13F and associated regulatory filings current through Aug. 14, 2025. Position values and portfolio weights are rounded.
Berkshire Hathaway's cash position is remarkable, but is it a good strategy?
One glaring omission from Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is its tremendous cash position. Buffett has been accumulating cash on Berkshire Hathaway's balance sheet for years. The company currently has $344.1 billion in cash, more than the market value of its entire stock portfolio and enough to buy most of the companies in the S&P 500 index outright.
Buffett is renowned for his patience and discipline in avoiding paying more for a stock than he believes it is worth. I'm in no position to question Buffett, I mean, who is? That said, it will be fascinating to look back on Buffett's cash accumulation over the past few years to see what might have been.
It's crucial to remember that managing hundreds of billions of dollars is a high-stakes endeavor, so risk management is paramount. For most individual investors, the best strategy is usually to dollar-cost average and stay invested. It doesn't hurt to have some cash on hand for opportunities, but as the famous saying goes, "Time in the market beats timing the market."
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Ally is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Chevron, D.R. Horton, Domino's Pizza, Jefferies Financial Group, Lennar, Mastercard, Moody's, NVR, VeriSign, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Capital One Financial, Constellation Brands, Diageo Plc, Heico, Kroger, Occidental Petroleum, and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Here Are All 46 Stocks Warren Buffett Holds for Berkshire Hathaway's $313 Billion Portfolio

Key Points
Seneca House Advisors sold 35,043 shares of Diageo, with a transaction value estimated at $3.53 million based on the quarterly average stock price.
The trade represents a 1.43% change in 13F reportable assets under management for the quarter.
Seneca closed out its position in Diageo, with a post-trade stake of zero shares.
The position previously accounted for 1.4% of the fund's assets under management.
Seneca House Advisors fully exited its position in Diageo (NYSE:DEO), selling 35,043 shares for an estimated $3.53 million in Q3 2025, according to an SEC filing dated October 10, 2025.
What happened
Seneca House Advisors disclosed in a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 10, 2025, that it sold its entire holding in Diageo during the third quarter. The sale involved 35,043 shares, with an estimated transaction value of $3.53 million based on the average market price over the reporting period. The fund now reports no exposure to Diageo.
What else to know
Seneca House Advisors sold out its Diageo position, reducing its exposure from 1.4% of 13F assets to zero.
Top holdings after the filing:
NYSEMKT:RSP: $25.15 million (10.16% of AUM)
NASDAQ:GOOGL: $16.39 million (6.60% of AUM) as of 2025-09-30
NASDAQ:MSFT: $14.79 million (5.98% of AUM)
NYSE:MKL: $14.64 million (5.92% of AUM) as of 2025-09-30
NYSEMKT: IBDX: $12.03 million (4.86% of AUM) as of 2025-09-30
As of October 9, 2025, shares of Diageo were priced at $95.41, down 29.08% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 45.04 percentage points.
Company Overview
Revenue (TTM)
$20.25 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$2.35 billion
Dividend Yield
4.37%
Price (as of market close 2025-10-09)
$95.41
Company Snapshot
Diageo offers a broad portfolio of alcoholic beverages, including Scotch whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs, beer, and ready-to-drink products under global brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness, and Baileys.
The company generates revenue primarily through the production, marketing, and sale of branded spirits and beer across diverse international markets. It operates across North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific.
Diageo is a leading global beverage company with a diversified product portfolio and strong brand recognition.
Foolish take
This year has been challenging in many ways for Diageo, due to geopolitical factors and industry-wide trends.
Like many other companies, Diageo has been negatively affected by tariff policies. The adult beverage company imports much of its production from Europe and the U.K., and earlier this year, it estimated that tariffs would cost around $150 million in profits.
At the same time, the entire alcoholic beverage industry has been struggling in recent years. Beer and wine sales have been consistently down across the industry, and Americans have reported drinking less than in years past, according to recent polls. If this is only a short-term trend, Diageo could be poised for a lucrative comeback. But if it's a longer-term shift, the company will need to find a way to pivot moving forward.
Glossary
13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must report quarterly to the SEC, detailing their holdings.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a fund or firm.
Quarterly average price: The average price of a security over a specific quarter, used to estimate transaction values.
Exposure: The amount of capital or percentage of a portfolio invested in a particular asset, sector, or market.
Regulatory filing: Official documents submitted to government agencies, such as the SEC, disclosing financial or operational information.
Dividend yield: A financial ratio showing how much a company pays in dividends each year relative to its share price.
Portfolio: A collection of financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds, held by an investor or institution.
Stake: The ownership interest or share an investor holds in a company or asset.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Underperforming: When an asset delivers lower returns than a benchmark or comparable investments over a period.
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Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Markel Group, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Diageo Plc and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Seneca House Advisors Dumps 35,000 Diageo (DEO) Shares in $3.5 Million Exit

Key Points
Keystone Financial Planning acquired 87,055 shares of Diageo in an estimated $8.31 million trade, based on the average share price for Q3 2025.
The transaction represented around 2.4% of reportable 13F assets under management, as of Q3 2025.
Post-trade, Keystone owns 87,055 shares of Diageo valued at $8.31 million, as of September 30, 2025.
The new holding places Diageo outside Keystone’s top five U.S.-listed equity positions.
Keystone Financial Planning, Inc. initiated a new stake in Diageo (NYSE:DEO) during Q3 2025, acquiring 87,055 shares in a trade estimated at $8.31 million, according to an SEC filing dated October 7, 2025.
What happened
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 7, 2025, Keystone Financial Planning, Inc. established a new position in Diageo during the third quarter. The fund acquired 87,055 shares with an estimated transaction value of $8.31 million based on the period’s average share price. The addition brings the fund’s total reported U.S. equity positions to 46, as of September 30, 2025.
What else to know
This new position now represents 2.4% of Keystone's 13F assets under management as of September 30, 2025.
Top holdings after the filing:
UNK:SCHD: $167.92 million (48.8% of AUM)
NASDAQ:MSFT: $13.92 million (4.0% of AUM)
NYSE:CVX: $12.20 million (3.5% of AUM)
NYSE:USB: $11.00 million (3.2% of AUM)
As of October 7, 2025, Diageo shares were priced at $95.90, down 29.6% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 46.0 percentage points during the same period.
Company Overview
Revenue (TTM)
$20.25 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$2.35 billion
Dividend Yield
4.40%
Price (as of market close October 7, 2025)
$95.90
Company Snapshot
Diageo offers a broad portfolio of alcoholic beverages, including whisky, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, liqueurs, beer, and cider under globally recognized brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness, and Don Julio.
The company generates revenue primarily through the production, marketing, and sale of branded spirits and beer across multiple international markets.
It targets adult consumers globally, focusing on both mature and emerging markets.
Diageo is a leading global producer and marketer of premium alcoholic beverages, operating at scale with a diverse brand portfolio and significant international presence.
Foolish take
Diageo may not be a household name in itself, but it has a hefty portfolio of more than 200 recognizable names in the alcoholic beverage industry. While the company does have production plants in the U.S., much of its production is imported from Europe.
With tariffs hitting many importers hard this year, it's not exactly surprising that Diageo has underperformed the S&P 500. In fact, last quarter, Diageo estimated that tariffs would consume around $150 million in annual costs.
But the company is also facing industry-wide problems with slowing demand for alcohol -- especially among younger consumers -- likely contributing to its weakened performance.
If these issues are only short-term struggles, Diageo could be poised for a fantastic comeback down the road. But if the industry as a whole is at risk, the company could have a bigger problem on its hands. Difficult times are make-or-break moments for company leadership, and investors will be watching how Diageo and similar organizations pivot amid these challenges.
Glossary
Stake: An ownership interest or investment in a company, often represented by shares.
13F assets under management: The total value of securities reported by institutional investment managers in quarterly SEC Form 13F filings.
Position: The amount of a particular security or asset held in a portfolio.
Top holdings: The largest investments within a fund or portfolio, usually ranked by market value.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a company divided by its share price, shown as a percentage.
Portfolio: A collection of investments held by an individual or institution.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a financial institution.
Equity positions: Investments in company shares, representing ownership in those businesses.
Filing: A formal document submitted to a regulatory authority, such as the SEC, disclosing financial or operational information.
Reportable: Required to be disclosed in regulatory filings due to size or regulatory thresholds.
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Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron, Microsoft, and U.S. Bancorp. The Motley Fool recommends Diageo Plc and Verizon Communications and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Diageo plc

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