ABC Arbitrage SA Raises Holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

ABC Arbitrage SA grew its stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 19.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 918,653 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 147,630 shares during the period. British American Tobacco makes up about 4.8% of ABC Arbitrage SA’s portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. ABC Arbitrage SA’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $52,014,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of BTI. Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 12,870.7% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,470,709 shares of the company’s stock valued at $502,687,000 after acquiring an additional 9,397,693 shares during the period. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 20.7% during the 2nd quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 14,503,968 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,473,000 after acquiring an additional 2,482,737 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,057,419 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,399,352,000 after acquiring an additional 1,891,042 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in British American Tobacco by 29.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,934,792 shares of the company’s stock valued at $368,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,578,860 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 85.1% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,757,559 shares of the company’s stock worth $130,515,000 after purchasing an additional 1,267,425 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTI opened at $60.38 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $58.56 and a 200 day moving average of $57.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52 week low of $40.12 and a 52 week high of $63.22.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a $0.8349 dividend. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on BTI shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Wall Street Zen cut British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, April 5th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco 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.