Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC Raises Stock Position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 49.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 20,262 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 6,744 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $838,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BTI. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco during the first quarter valued at $213,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 232.4% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,117 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 781 shares during the period. Edmp Inc. boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 14.1% during the first quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 6,866 shares of the company's stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco in the first quarter worth about $375,000. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, June 28th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, June 13th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $33.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 2.1%

British American Tobacco stock traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $48.35. The stock had a trading volume of 4,316,140 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,210,856. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $45.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.47. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $31.50 and a 12-month high of $49.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.33.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a $0.7391 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. This represents a yield of 5.99%. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.78%.

British American Tobacco 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.