British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Short Interest Up 33.2% in March

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,100,000 shares, a growth of 33.2% from the February 28th total of 7,580,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,380,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on BTI. StockNews.com upgraded British American Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th. UBS Group raised shares of British American Tobacco from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BTI. Moody National Bank Trust Division boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 8.1% during the first quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 12,895 shares of the company's stock worth $533,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in British American Tobacco by 930.4% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 9,737 shares of the company's stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 8,792 shares in the last quarter. Brucke Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $296,000. Sculati Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 138.0% in the fourth quarter. Sculati Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,490 shares of the company's stock valued at $708,000 after purchasing an additional 11,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company's stock.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of British American Tobacco stock traded down $1.93 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $39.99. 10,167,637 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,614,891. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The business has a 50-day moving average of $40.27 and a 200 day moving average of $37.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.84 billion, a PE ratio of 8.21 and a beta of 0.38. British American Tobacco has a fifty-two week low of $28.25 and a fifty-two week high of $42.74.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.57%.

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.