British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) Hits New 1-Year High - What's Next?

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $50.32 and last traded at $50.02, with a volume of 1932652 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $49.09.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on BTI. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Bank of America began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, July 6th. Finally, Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, June 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $33.00.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of $46.36 and a 200 day moving average of $41.99. The company has a market cap of $105.55 billion, a PE ratio of 10.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.52.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a $0.7391 dividend. This represents a yield of 5.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. British American Tobacco's payout ratio is 60.78%.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 87.0% in the 1st quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 78.5% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its stake in British American Tobacco by 292.7% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 644 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company's stock.

About British American Tobacco

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.