British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $68.10.

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, August 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $68.10 target price on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Monday, September 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, August 9th.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE BTI opened at $55.28 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $49.88 and a 12 month high of $67.30. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $58.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.59.

British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.21 by ($1.10). The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.42 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that British American Tobacco will post 4.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 35.2% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 27,914 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,155,000 after buying an additional 7,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 42.5% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,455 shares of the company’s stock valued at $400,000 after buying an additional 2,521 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 10.2% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 6,017 shares of the company’s stock worth $285,000 after acquiring an additional 559 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in British American Tobacco by 58.6% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,853 shares of the company’s stock worth $703,000 after acquiring an additional 5,486 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 15,967 shares of the company’s stock valued at $756,000 after acquiring an additional 816 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

About British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco p.l.c. is a multinational consumer products company focused primarily on tobacco and nicotine products. Its portfolio includes combustible cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, cigars and heated tobacco products, as well as newer categories such as vapor products and modern oral nicotine products.

The company markets a range of internationally recognized brands, including Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans and Newport. Through its U.S. business, Reynolds American, BAT also owns or markets brands such as Camel and Natural American Spirit.