BNP Paribas Financial Markets Grows Holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 11.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 374,835 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 38,977 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $21,223,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 3.0% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,057,419 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,399,352,000 after buying an additional 1,891,042 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 2.6% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 22,068,891 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,171,399,000 after purchasing an additional 559,189 shares in the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 20.7% during the second quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 14,503,968 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,473,000 after purchasing an additional 2,482,737 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 12,870.7% during the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,470,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $502,687,000 after purchasing an additional 9,397,693 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 29.5% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,934,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $368,099,000 after purchasing an additional 1,578,860 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 3.6%

Shares of NYSE BTI opened at $59.91 on Friday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $46.38 and a 12-month high of $67.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company has a 50-day moving average of $60.11 and a 200 day moving average of $58.99.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BTI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 30th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

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.