Commonwealth Equity Services LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

Commonwealth Equity Services LLC reduced its stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 319,603 shares of the company's stock after selling 14,111 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC's holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $11,608,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. FMR LLC grew its position in British American Tobacco by 67.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,105,356 shares of the company's stock worth $259,914,000 after buying an additional 2,868,675 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,620,000. ABC Arbitrage SA acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,480,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,183,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco during the third quarter worth $27,118,000. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded down $0.25 on Friday, hitting $40.83. The company had a trading volume of 3,245,158 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,496,198. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market cap of $84.56 billion, a PE ratio of 8.38 and a beta of 0.50. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52-week low of $28.25 and a 52-week high of $42.74. The business has a 50 day moving average of $39.36 and a 200 day moving average of $37.58.

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British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be issued a $0.7491 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 28th. British American Tobacco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group raised British American Tobacco from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 17th.

About British American Tobacco

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.