Qtron Investments LLC Trims Stock Position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Key Points

• Qtron Investments LLC sold 4,407 shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c., reducing its stake by 12.9% in the 1st quarter, now owning a total of 29,642 shares valued at approximately $1.23 million.
• Several institutional investors have adjusted their positions in British American Tobacco, with notable increases from GQG Partners LLC, which raised its stake by 59.8% in the first quarter.
• Research analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco vary, with one analyst issuing a sell rating, while others have assigned a mixture of buy and hold ratings, reflecting overall moderate confidence in the company.

Qtron Investments LLC cut its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 12.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 29,642 shares of the company's stock after selling 4,407 shares during the period. Qtron Investments LLC's holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $1,226,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 87.0% in the first quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded down $0.7950 on Friday, hitting $58.4750. 4,833,464 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,988,913. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 1-year low of $34.17 and a 1-year high of $59.29. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $52.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $120.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.38.

British American Tobacco Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors 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 of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 64.68%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on BTI shares. Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $40.00 target price on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They issued 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 research note on Saturday, July 26th. 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 shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco presently has a consensus 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.