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

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

A number of brokerages recently commented on BTI. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, June 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Wall Street Zen cut British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd.

British American Tobacco Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of BTI opened at $62.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of $49.88 and a twelve month high of $67.30. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $61.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.82.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth High Governance Capital Ltda acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter valued at $6,911,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 557,887 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,588,000 after purchasing an additional 23,141 shares during the last quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 284.8% in the fourth quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,274 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,488,000 after purchasing an additional 19,446 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 74.6% during the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 102,703 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,815,000 after buying an additional 43,886 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 771.1% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 739,687 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,881,000 after buying an additional 654,769 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

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.