British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on BTI shares. Weiss Ratings raised British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of British American Tobacco stock opened at $59.93 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $59.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $56.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. British American Tobacco has a 52-week low of $37.96 and a 52-week high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a $0.8349 dividend. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AlphaCore Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 10,849 shares of the company’s stock valued at $614,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,996 shares of the company’s stock worth $283,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC raised its position in British American Tobacco by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 58,696 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,323,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the period. City State Bank raised its position in British American Tobacco by 10.5% during the third quarter. City State Bank now owns 2,105 shares of the company’s stock worth $112,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.