Brokerages Set British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) PT at $51.00

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat 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 analyst 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, February 17th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Wall Street Zen cut British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating for the company.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BTI opened at $58.03 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $59.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.48. British American Tobacco has a 1 year low of $37.96 and a 1 year high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 1,386.7% during the 4th quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 446 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying 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 approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

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.