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

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday morning.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on BTI. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings upgraded British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE:BTI opened at $57.81 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $59.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.38. British American Tobacco has a fifty-two week low of $37.96 and a fifty-two week high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a $0.8349 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.8%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bayban acquired a new position in British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $240,000. Pure Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $241,000. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 25.1% during the 4th quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 14,512 shares of the company’s stock worth $822,000 after acquiring an additional 2,909 shares during the last quarter. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Stone Wealth Partners acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter valued at $318,000. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.