British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $51.00.

BTI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings cut shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE BTI opened at $61.72 on Friday. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $44.58 and a 12 month high of $67.30. The company’s 50 day moving average is $59.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.87.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Command Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 1,386.7% during the fourth quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 446 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares in the last quarter. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 141.2% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 591 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other 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.