British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) was upgraded by Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on BTI. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of BTI stock opened at $61.72 on Friday. British American Tobacco has a one year low of $44.58 and a one year high of $67.30. The company’s 50-day moving average is $59.96 and its 200 day moving average is $58.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 416 shares during the period. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC bought a new position in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in British American Tobacco by 141.2% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 591 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the period. SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. 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.