Brokerages Set British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Target Price at $51.00

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eight analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. BTIG Research assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Tuesday. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 13th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Monday, June 8th.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

NYSE:BTI opened at $59.88 on Friday. British American Tobacco has a 52 week low of $49.88 and a 52 week 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 firm’s fifty day moving average is $61.68 and its 200-day moving average is $59.98.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 34.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 9,736,843 shares of the company’s stock valued at $569,313,000 after acquiring an additional 2,494,576 shares during the period. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 20.7% in 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 during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 3,899.7% in the first quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 2,362,818 shares of the company’s stock worth $137,658,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303,743 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 85.1% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,757,559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $130,515,000 after purchasing an additional 1,267,425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the third quarter valued at about $47,852,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.