British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• British American Tobacco has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating from eight analysts, with seven buy ratings and one sell rating. The average 12-month price target is $51.00.
• Recent analyst views were mixed: Citigroup and Morgan Stanley maintained positive ratings, while Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “underperform” rating and Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock to “hold.”
• BTI shares opened at $55.89, compared with a 52-week range of $49.88 to $67.30. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company, and several funds modestly increased their holdings.

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the eight brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $51.00.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on BTI shares. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, June 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BTI opened at $55.89 on Thursday. British American Tobacco has a 1 year low of $49.88 and a 1 year high of $67.30. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $60.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.50.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AlphaCore Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 10,849 shares of the company's stock valued at $614,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,996 shares of the company's stock worth $283,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 3.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,184 shares of the company's stock valued at $362,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 58,696 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,323,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renasant Bank grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 4.8% in the first quarter. Renasant Bank now owns 4,152 shares of the company's stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.

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