British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) Short Interest Up 33.2% in March

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,100,000 shares, a growth of 33.2% from the February 28th total of 7,580,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,380,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BTI. Brucke Financial Inc. purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at about $296,000. Sculati Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in British American Tobacco by 138.0% during the fourth quarter. Sculati Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,490 shares of the company’s stock worth $708,000 after buying an additional 11,300 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Ascent Group LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 13.1% in the 4th quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 17,612 shares of the company’s stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 2,043 shares during the period. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 42.2% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 21,438 shares of the company’s stock valued at $779,000 after acquiring an additional 6,367 shares during the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BTI has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th. UBS Group raised British American Tobacco from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

NYSE BTI traded up $0.85 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $41.36. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 6,398,892 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,570,347. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.76. The company’s 50-day moving average is $39.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $37.65. British American Tobacco has a fifty-two week low of $28.25 and a fifty-two week high of $42.74. The stock has a market cap of $85.66 billion, a PE ratio of 8.49 and a beta of 0.50.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Stockholders 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.57%.

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.