British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BTI. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Wall Street Zen downgraded British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BTI. Capital International Investors lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,389,481 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,645,500,000 after buying an additional 332,062 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 22,333,402 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,264,512,000 after buying an additional 264,511 shares in the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 14,503,968 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,473,000 after acquiring an additional 2,482,737 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,518,567 shares of the company’s stock worth $538,935,000 after acquiring an additional 47,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 29.5% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,934,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $368,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,578,860 shares during the period. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

BTI stock opened at $59.93 on Monday. British American Tobacco has a 12-month low of $37.96 and a 12-month high of $63.22. The business’s 50-day moving average is $59.37 and its 200 day moving average is $56.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

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.