British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Shares Sold by Private Advisor Group LLC

Key Points

• Private Advisor Group LLC reduced its stake in British American Tobacco by 22.0%, now holding 31,212 shares valued at approximately $1.29 million.
• Several hedge funds increased their positions in British American Tobacco, with Mather Group LLC notably boosting its stake by 292.7%.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on the stock, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $33.00.

Private Advisor Group LLC trimmed its holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 22.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 31,212 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,783 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC's holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $1,291,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake 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 buying an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its holdings 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 buying an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in British American Tobacco during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 78.5% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 480 shares during the period. 16.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded up $0.47 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $53.24. The stock had a trading volume of 7,780,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,790,341. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a fifty-two week low of $34.12 and a fifty-two week high of $53.48. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $48.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $43.39. The stock has a market cap of $109.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.93, a PEG ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on BTI. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Bank of America started coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, June 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $33.00.

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.