British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

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

Institutional Trading of British American Tobacco

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in British American Tobacco by 294.9% in the fourth quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 703 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 334.4% in the fourth quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 1,099 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares in the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

British American Tobacco Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:BTI traded down $0.79 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.31. The company had a trading volume of 3,100,633 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,571,685. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $28.25 and a 12 month high of $42.74. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.05 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.67. The stock has a market cap of $83.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.28 and a beta of 0.50.

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British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.