British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Short Interest Down 16.0% in April

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,470,000 shares, a decline of 16.0% from the March 31st total of 12,460,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,250,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Approximately 0.5% of the company's stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton grew 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 period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 294.9% during the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 703 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised 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 buying an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on BTI. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $33.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of BTI traded down $0.99 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $43.46. The stock had a trading volume of 5,421,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,224,862. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $30.01 and a 12 month high of $44.78. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $41.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $89.95 billion, a PE ratio of 8.92 and a beta of 0.32.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be paid a $0.7491 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 28th. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.57%.

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.