China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Purchases 47,885 Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 81.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 106,958 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 47,885 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $5,677,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BTI. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% in the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 782 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 3.6%

NYSE BTI opened at $60.99 on Friday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12 month low of $37.31 and a 12 month high of $63.03. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $56.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a $0.8349 dividend. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BTI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.00.

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.