British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Stock Now Rated "Moderate Buy" by Wall Street Analysts

Key Points

• Wall Street’s consensus rating is “Moderate Buy”: six of seven analysts recommend buying British American Tobacco, while one rates it a sell. The average 12-month price target is $68.10, above the reported share price of $53.15.
• Analyst views remain mixed, with Morgan Stanley maintaining an “overweight” rating and a $68.10 target, while Royal Bank of Canada has an “underperform” rating and Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock to “hold.”
• British American Tobacco reported quarterly EPS of $1.11, below the $2.21 consensus estimate, and revenue of $8.10 billion versus expectations of $16.42 billion. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company.

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the seven analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $68.10.

Several analysts recently issued reports on BTI shares. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, August 31st. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $68.10 price target on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, September 7th. Wall Street Zen cut British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Tuesday, August 11th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Command Advisory Services Inc. raised its position in British American Tobacco by 1,386.7% in the fourth quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 446 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. Glen Eagle Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Community Bank N.A. bought a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Main Street Group LTD acquired a new position in British American Tobacco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company's stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI opened at $53.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $56.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.12. British American Tobacco has a 1 year low of $49.88 and a 1 year high of $67.30.

British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.21 by ($1.10). The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.42 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that British American Tobacco will post 4.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

British American Tobacco p.l.c. NYSE: BTI is a multinational consumer goods company focused on nicotine and tobacco products. Its portfolio includes traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco products, vapor products and modern oral nicotine products, including nicotine pouches. The company markets products under brands such as Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans and Vuse, with additional brands varying by market.

Founded in 1902 through the combination of the Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company, British American Tobacco has developed into an international business serving markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

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