Short Interest in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Rises By 33.9%

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,190,000 shares, an increase of 33.9% from the January 31st total of 5,370,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 35.6% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 207,724 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,599,000 after buying an additional 54,555 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 45.3% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 46,286 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,681,000 after purchasing an additional 14,432 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 25.6% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 131,871 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,824,000 after purchasing an additional 26,863 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 89.6% during the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 66,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,419,000 after acquiring an additional 31,250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 196,073 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,121,000 after acquiring an additional 17,478 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE BTI traded up $0.28 on Tuesday, reaching $40.05. The company had a trading volume of 2,501,193 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,620,562. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. British American Tobacco has a 52 week low of $28.25 and a 52 week high of $42.74. The stock has a market cap of $83.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.24 and a beta of 0.50. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $38.13 and its 200-day moving average is $37.18.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Investors of record on Friday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.7491 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 28th. British American Tobacco’s payout ratio is 60.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 17th. UBS Group raised British American Tobacco from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

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.