British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $62.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in British American Tobacco in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased 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 valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Binnacle Investments Inc raised its holdings in British American Tobacco by 163.2% during the 3rd quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 750 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

British American Tobacco Trading Down 0.8%

BTI opened at $56.57 on Wednesday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $55.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.87. British American Tobacco has a 1-year low of $34.82 and a 1-year high of $59.29.

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.