Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Purchases 71,584 Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Key Points

• Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 179.5% during the first quarter, ending up with 111,454 shares valued at approximately $4.61 million.
• The company's recent dividend of $0.7391 per share yielded 599.0%, with a dividend payout ratio of 64.68%.
• Analyst ratings for British American Tobacco include a mix of buy and hold ratings, with a consensus price target set at $33.00.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. grew its stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 179.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 111,454 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 71,584 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.'s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $4,611,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 87.0% in the first quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings 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 valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 78.5% in the first quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. increased its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 292.7% during the first 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. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company's stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of British American Tobacco stock traded down $0.2610 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $57.4590. The company had a trading volume of 2,635,141 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,738,047. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $118.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $51.55 and a 200 day moving average of $45.22. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52-week low of $34.17 and a 52-week high of $58.46.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th were paid a $0.7391 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 599.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 27th. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio is 60.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating and issued a $40.00 price target on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, June 13th. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. Bank of America began coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $40.00.

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.