British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI Shares Purchased by QRG Capital Management Inc.

QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) by 12.4% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 177,534 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 19,577 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $10,052,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in British American Tobacco by 141.2% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 591 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc increased its position in British American Tobacco by 163.2% in the third quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 750 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new stake in British American Tobacco in the third quarter valued at $42,000. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, April 5th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 1.8%

NYSE:BTI opened at $59.38 on Wednesday. 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 1 year low of $40.12 and a 1 year high of $63.22. The business has a fifty day moving average of $58.83 and a 200-day moving average of $57.43.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.8349 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.6%.

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.