ABC Arbitrage SA Buys Shares of 866,729 British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

ABC Arbitrage SA purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 866,729 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,480,000. British American Tobacco accounts for approximately 4.5% of ABC Arbitrage SA’s holdings, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 35.1% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,151 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 299 shares during the period. Kieckhefer Group LLC acquired a new position in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its position in British American Tobacco by 153.7% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 1,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 753 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Continuum Advisory LLC increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 122.8% during the third quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 1,357 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 748 shares during the period. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. StockNews.com cut British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of British American Tobacco stock opened at $38.80 on Friday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52-week low of $28.25 and a 52-week high of $42.74. The company has a 50 day moving average of $37.81 and a 200 day moving average of $36.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be paid a $0.7391 dividend. This represents a $2.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.62%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th.

British American Tobacco Profile

British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands.