British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Short Interest Update

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 6,569,362 shares, a growth of 21.0% from the February 26th total of 5,430,502 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,869,099 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.4%

BTI stock traded up $0.23 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $58.49. 5,393,699 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,029,684. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. British American Tobacco has a 52-week low of $37.96 and a 52-week high of $63.22. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $59.92 and its 200 day moving average is $56.60.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be issued a $0.8349 dividend. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTI. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 89.0% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 12,176 shares of the company’s stock valued at $689,000 after buying an additional 5,732 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors boosted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 90.7% in the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 26,309 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,490,000 after purchasing an additional 12,516 shares during the period. Larry Mathis Financial Planning LLC purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter worth $455,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 10.3% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 48,443 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,744,000 after buying an additional 4,523 shares during the period. Finally, Bayban purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth $240,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BTI shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings raised British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets started coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.