British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI Holdings Cut by Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. reduced its stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 20.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 67,415 shares of the company’s stock after selling 17,111 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $3,578,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BTI. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. grew its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% in 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 in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 100.0% in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new position in British American Tobacco during the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on BTI shares. 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. Kepler Capital Markets started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.1%

British American Tobacco stock opened at $62.15 on Tuesday. 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 fifty-two week low of $37.96 and a fifty-two week high of $63.03. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $58.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.15.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.8349 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%.

About British American Tobacco

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.