Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. Boosts Stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

Key Points

• Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. has increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 27.7%, bringing its total shares to 141,000 valued at approximately $5.83 million.
• Other institutional investors have also raised their stakes, with notable increases from BNP Paribas Financial Markets and Citizens National Bank Trust Department, indicating a growing interest in the company.
dividend payout of $0.7391 per share, with a significant yield of 599.0%, despite a dividend payout ratio of 60.57%.

Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. grew its stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 27.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 141,000 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 30,600 shares during the period. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.'s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $5,833,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 87.0% during the first quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% during 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 during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 78.5% during the first 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. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 292.7% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 644 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the company's stock.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded down $0.71 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $57.21. 977,856 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,780,719. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $50.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.68. The company has a market cap of $117.83 billion, a PE ratio of 11.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $34.17 and a 12-month high of $58.46.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BTI has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Bank of America initiated coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, June 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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.