Phoenix Financial Ltd. Purchases 34,922 Shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Phoenix Financial Ltd. grew its holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 493.4% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 42,000 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 34,922 shares during the quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $2,230,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter valued at about $45,000. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BTI has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 2.2%

British American Tobacco stock opened at $60.30 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $56.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.87. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $37.31 and a 12-month high of $60.38.

About British American Tobacco

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.