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

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on BTI. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “buy” rating for the company.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BTI. Capital International Investors grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,389,481 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,645,500,000 after purchasing an additional 332,062 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 22,333,402 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,264,512,000 after purchasing an additional 264,511 shares during the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd lifted its holdings 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 during the period. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 34.4% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 9,736,843 shares of the company’s stock valued at $569,313,000 after buying an additional 2,494,576 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors increased its holdings in 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 buying an additional 47,858 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 1.6%

British American Tobacco stock opened at $55.89 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $60.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $60.31. British American Tobacco has a one year low of $49.88 and a one year high of $67.30.

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.