British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Short Interest Update

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) was the target of a large decline in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,600,000 shares, a decline of 13.0% from the October 31st total of 6,440,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 4,500,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

British American Tobacco stock traded down $0.70 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $37.03. 6,135,961 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,726,094. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. British American Tobacco has a 12-month low of $28.25 and a 12-month high of $39.54. The business’s 50-day moving average is $35.92 and its 200-day moving average is $34.67.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on BTI shares. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of British American Tobacco from an “overweight” rating to an “underweight” rating and set a $33.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Barclays upgraded shares of British American Tobacco to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On British American Tobacco

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC raised its position in British American Tobacco by 67.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,105,356 shares of the company’s stock valued at $259,914,000 after purchasing an additional 2,868,675 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in British American Tobacco by 7.7% during the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 2,873,456 shares of the company’s stock valued at $105,111,000 after purchasing an additional 206,117 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.9% in the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 2,279,765 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,513,000 after buying an additional 43,006 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 7.9% in the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 779,478 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,109,000 after buying an additional 57,016 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the third quarter worth approximately $28,183,000. 21.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.