Opal Capital LLC Makes New $9.72 Million Investment in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Opal Capital LLC acquired a new position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 171,698 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,723,000. British American Tobacco comprises about 2.4% of Opal Capital LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. LFG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the fourth quarter worth $2,911,000. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 12.0% in the fourth quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 140,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,927,000 after purchasing an additional 15,000 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 11.3% in the fourth quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 250,789 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,200,000 after purchasing an additional 25,542 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 162,893 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,223,000 after purchasing an additional 2,091 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 61.1% in the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 53,683 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,042,000 after purchasing an additional 20,356 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.5%

British American Tobacco stock opened at $61.38 on Wednesday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52 week low of $46.38 and a 52 week high of $67.30. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $60.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.87.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BTI has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.00.

About British American Tobacco

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.