British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. trimmed its holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 73.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 101,542 shares of the company's stock after selling 280,364 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $3,688,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 6,094,244 shares of the company's stock worth $221,343,000 after buying an additional 1,196,020 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its position in British American Tobacco by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 3,010,687 shares of the company's stock valued at $109,348,000 after purchasing an additional 137,231 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,620,000. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC lifted its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 202.8% in the 4th quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 1,369,751 shares of the company's stock worth $49,749,000 after purchasing an additional 917,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 13.0% during the fourth quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 967,976 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,157,000 after buying an additional 111,033 shares during the period. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on BTI. StockNews.com raised British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th. UBS Group upgraded British American Tobacco from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $42.33. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,744,458 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,675,517. The firm has a market capitalization of $87.61 billion, a PE ratio of 8.69 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $40.37 and a 200 day moving average of $38.01. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a twelve month low of $28.64 and a twelve month high of $42.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.7491 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. British American Tobacco's payout ratio is currently 60.57%.

British American Tobacco Profile

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.