Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. Boosts Stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. increased its position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 319.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 21,414 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 16,313 shares during the period. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $1,137,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BTI. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 29.5% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,934,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $368,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,578,860 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in British American Tobacco by 81.7% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 20,167 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,070,000 after purchasing an additional 9,067 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,852,780 shares of the company’s stock valued at $151,426,000 after buying an additional 95,221 shares during the last quarter. Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at about $83,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the third quarter worth about $2,521,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE BTI opened at $59.93 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $59.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a one year low of $37.96 and a one year high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Stockholders 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 5.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.