British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) Sets New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report)'s share price 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. The stock had previously closed at $49.09.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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, July 6th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, June 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $33.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.7%

The business's 50 day moving average is $46.36 and its 200 day moving average is $42.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $105.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.33.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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 is Friday, June 27th. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio is 60.78%.

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 the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 87.0% during the 1st quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 305 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 78.5% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 278 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 292.7% during the 1st 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 period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.