Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Raises Holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 55.2% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 43,773 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,569 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $2,478,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BTI. Capital World Investors grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 12,870.7% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,470,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $502,687,000 after acquiring an additional 9,397,693 shares during the period. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 14,503,968 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,473,000 after acquiring an additional 2,482,737 shares during the period. Capital International Investors grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,057,419 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,399,352,000 after acquiring an additional 1,891,042 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 29.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,934,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $368,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,578,860 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 85.1% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,757,559 shares of the company’s stock worth $130,515,000 after acquiring an additional 1,267,425 shares during the period. 16.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE:BTI opened at $59.91 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $60.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.87. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a twelve month low of $46.38 and a twelve month high of $67.30.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on BTI. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 30th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a multinational tobacco manufacturer and nicotine products company headquartered in London. Founded in 1902 as a joint venture to commercialize tobacco products outside the United States, the company has grown into one of the world’s largest tobacco firms with a long history in manufacturing and global distribution of combustible tobacco products.

BAT’s core business remains the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under a portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Kent and Rothmans.