HM Payson & Co. Invests $487,000 in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

HM Payson & Co. purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 9,180 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $487,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% in the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in British American Tobacco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $57,000. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of British American Tobacco stock opened at $56.95 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $55.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $53.91. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 1-year low of $34.82 and a 1-year high of $59.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $62.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, September 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded British American Tobacco from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets initiated coverage on British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Company 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.