British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) Stock Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Here’s Why

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS)’s stock price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 4,058.48 and traded as high as GBX 4,339. British American Tobacco shares last traded at GBX 4,328.51, with a volume of 4,378,073 shares trading hands.

British American Tobacco News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting British American Tobacco this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Technical signal: BATS shares have crossed above their 200-day moving average, a bullish technical development that can attract momentum buyers and ETF/quant flows. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation review: Analysts and outlets are reassessing BAT’s valuation after recent share-price momentum; that analysis highlights a relatively high P/E and mixed growth outlook, so conclusions vary and could support both buy- and sell-side narratives. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Operational hit: BAT announced it will end cigarette production in South Africa, closing its Heidelberg plant after decades of local manufacturing; company cites surging illicit cigarette trade that has eroded the legal market. This raises near-term restructuring costs, lost local revenue and reputational/regulatory scrutiny in a key market. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Job impact and local market damage: Reports say roughly 230 roles will be cut and local production ends after 51 years — a visible, tangible cost that may spook ESG and local investors and increase short-term cash outflows for redundancy and facility closure. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Broader market context: Multiple South African outlets and BAT statements emphasize that illicit trade—exacerbated by the 2020 tobacco ban and enforcement gaps—has permanently weakened the legal market, implying longer-term margin pressure and volume risk in emerging markets. Article Title

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BATS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,450 to GBX 4,850 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on British American Tobacco from GBX 3,300 to GBX 4,150 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on British American Tobacco from GBX 4,400 to GBX 4,900 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, British American Tobacco has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of GBX 4,500.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.3%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 4,231.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 4,069.01. The company has a market capitalization of £94.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.07, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.63, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.47.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

BAT was founded in 1902 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1912. A constituent of the FTSE 100 since its creation in 1984, we have evolved, becoming the only truly global company in our sector.

BAT is transforming and is well positioned with a global footprint and multi-category portfolio. Our corporate purpose is to build A Better Tomorrow™, reducing the health impact of our business, by offering adult consumers a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky*† products compared to cigarettes.