Analysts Set British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Price Target at $33.00

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the five analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $33.00.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on BTI. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Bank of America began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, July 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday. They set a "buy" rating on the stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

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

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BTI traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $51.17. 7,858,501 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,286,749. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $46.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.03. The firm has a market cap of $105.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.51, a PEG ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.33. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of $31.92 and a twelve month high of $51.35.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.7391 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. This represents a yield of 5.99%. British American Tobacco's payout ratio is 60.57%.

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.