Apollon Wealth Management LLC Makes New Investment in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 5,672 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $235,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. 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 purchasing an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 78.5% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 278 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 292.7% in the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 644 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. 16.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.7%

NYSE BTI traded down $0.36 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $52.26. 4,471,287 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,016,040. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52 week low of $34.12 and a 52 week high of $52.98. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $48.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.06. The company has a market cap of $107.79 billion, a PE ratio of 10.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.52.

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 given a $0.7391 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. British American Tobacco's payout ratio is 60.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on BTI shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Bank of America started coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, June 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $33.00.

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.