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

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of brokerages recently commented on BTI. Weiss Ratings upgraded British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, December 10th.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.1%

British American Tobacco stock opened at $62.15 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $58.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.15. 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 12 month low of $37.96 and a 12 month high of $63.03.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders 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 yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BTI. First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its holdings 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 valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. grew its position in British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the 3rd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

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.