British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Short interest in British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) rose significantly by 39.4% in August, reaching a total of 11,180,000 shares, indicating growing bearish sentiment among investors.
• Institutional investors have increased their holdings in British American Tobacco, with several funds boosting their positions by over 100% during the first quarter of the year.
• Analysts' ratings on BTI are mixed, with an average rating of "Hold" and target price of $51.00, showcasing varying perspectives on the stock's performance potential.

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 11,180,000 shares, agrowthof39.4% from the July 31st total of 8,020,000 shares. Currently,0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 5,920,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Based on an average trading volume of 5,920,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Currently,0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BTI shares. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, June 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Morgan Stanley reissued an "underweight" rating and issued a $40.00 target price on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, August 15th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

BTI traded up $0.21 during trading on Monday, reaching $56.23. 4,430,264 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,381,623. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.87. The company has a market cap of $115.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.55, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.40. British American Tobacco has a 12-month low of $34.17 and a 12-month high of $59.29. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.98.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

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.

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