Dana Investment Advisors Inc. Makes New Investment in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Dana Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 8,093 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $430,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 35.2% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 27,914 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,155,000 after purchasing an additional 7,270 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 42.5% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,455 shares of the company’s stock valued at $400,000 after buying an additional 2,521 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $205,000. World Investment Advisors increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 48.6% in the second quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 13,128 shares of the company’s stock worth $621,000 after buying an additional 4,294 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its position in British American Tobacco by 15.7% during the second quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 44,505 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,106,000 after acquiring an additional 6,038 shares in the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE BTI opened at $62.66 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $56.30. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a twelve month low of $37.96 and a twelve month high of $63.22. 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 Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a $0.8349 dividend. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on BTI. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.00.

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.