British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI Shares Bought by First Bank & Trust

First Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 22.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 69,732 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,733 shares during the quarter. First Bank & Trust’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $3,948,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 163.2% during the third quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 750 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% during the third 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of BTI opened at $58.46 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $59.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.56. 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 p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $37.96 and a 12-month high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.8349 per share. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, March 15th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco 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.