British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several brokerages have weighed in on BTI. Weiss Ratings upgraded British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, March 15th.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 89.0% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 12,176 shares of the company’s stock worth $689,000 after acquiring an additional 5,732 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors raised its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 90.7% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 26,309 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,490,000 after acquiring an additional 12,516 shares in the last quarter. Larry Mathis Financial Planning LLC purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $455,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 10.3% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 48,443 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,744,000 after purchasing an additional 4,523 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bayban acquired a new position in British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $240,000. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

British American Tobacco stock opened at $57.35 on Monday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $59.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.52. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of $37.96 and a twelve month high of $63.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $0.8349 per share. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a multinational tobacco manufacturer and nicotine products company headquartered in London. Founded in 1902 as a joint venture to commercialize tobacco products outside the United States, the company has grown into one of the world’s largest tobacco firms with a long history in manufacturing and global distribution of combustible tobacco products.

BAT’s core business remains the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under a portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Kent and Rothmans.