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

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on BTI. Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley restated an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE BTI opened at $59.18 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $56.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $54.96. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $37.08 and a 12 month high of $59.29.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTI. City State Bank boosted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. City State Bank now owns 2,105 shares of the company’s stock valued at $112,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. boosted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Western Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 2.5% during the second quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,656 shares of the company’s stock worth $410,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 2.0% in the third quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,524 shares of the company’s stock valued at $612,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Finally, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. raised its position in British American Tobacco by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 19,598 shares of the company’s stock worth $915,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.