Analysts Set British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Target Price at $51.00

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several research analysts have issued reports on BTI shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, April 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital International Investors grew its position in British American Tobacco by 0.5% in 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 during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in 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 buying an additional 264,511 shares during the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd grew its position in British American Tobacco by 20.7% during the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its stake in British American Tobacco by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,518,567 shares of the company’s stock valued at $538,935,000 after purchasing an additional 47,858 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in 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 valued at $368,099,000 after purchasing an additional 1,578,860 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 3.6%

Shares of NYSE:BTI opened at $60.38 on Tuesday. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $40.12 and a 12 month high of $63.22. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $58.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $57.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a $0.8349 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.5%.

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.