Optas LLC Buys New Shares in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)

Optas LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,187 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $225,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BTI. FMR LLC increased its holdings in British American Tobacco by 67.7% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,105,356 shares of the company’s stock worth $259,914,000 after acquiring an additional 2,868,675 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 7.7% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 2,873,456 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,111,000 after purchasing an additional 206,117 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,183,000. Bridgewater Associates LP bought a new position in British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter worth $27,118,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its stake in British American Tobacco by 3,153.0% in the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 572,077 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,927,000 after buying an additional 554,491 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.16% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group raised British American Tobacco from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Barclays upgraded British American Tobacco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of BTI stock opened at $40.22 on Wednesday. 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 p.l.c. has a 12-month low of $28.25 and a 12-month high of $40.25. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $37.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.54.

British American Tobacco 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.