British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Receives $51.00 Consensus PT from Brokerages

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BTI shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, March 15th. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTI. First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 1,386.7% in the fourth quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 446 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in 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. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Trading Down 2.3%

NYSE BTI opened at $57.35 on Monday. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $37.96 and a 12 month high of $63.22. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $59.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $56.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

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.