British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $0.83 on May 12th

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be given a dividend of 0.8349 per share on Tuesday, May 12th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 27th. This is a 13.0% increase from British American Tobacco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.74.

British American Tobacco has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%annually over the last three years. British American Tobacco has a payout ratio of 67.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect British American Tobacco to earn $4.99 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.29 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 65.9%.

British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:BTI opened at $57.72 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $37.96 and a 12 month high of $63.22. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $59.91 and its 200 day moving average is $56.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings raised British American Tobacco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets started coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered British American Tobacco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, March 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, British American Tobacco presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a multinational tobacco manufacturer and nicotine products company headquartered in London. Founded in 1902 as a joint venture to commercialize tobacco products outside the United States, the company has grown into one of the world’s largest tobacco firms with a long history in manufacturing and global distribution of combustible tobacco products.

BAT’s core business remains the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under a portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Kent and Rothmans.