British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

BTI has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings raised British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 1,386.7% in the 4th quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 446 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares in the last quarter. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the 3rd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE BTI opened at $58.86 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $58.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.03. British American Tobacco has a 1 year low of $37.31 and a 1 year high of $63.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.87.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.8349 per share. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date 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.