British American Tobacco PLC logo

British American Tobacco PLC

BATS · LSE · Consumer Defensive · £100B

Manufactures and sells tobacco and nicotine products globally, including cigarettes, vapour devices, heated products, and modern oral alternatives, under brands such as Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, and Vuse.

Technical Bias: Neutral
4,669p+134.00p (+2.95%)Delayed

As of Jul 17, 2026

Executive summary

British American Tobacco PLC is a multinational tobacco company with a market capitalisation of £100 billion. The stock stands at 4,669p and shows a neutral technical bias, having gained 6.1 percent over the past month and 29.7 percent over the past year.

Price history

Daily candles · adjusted close

As of Jul 17, 2026

Performance

1D

+2.95%

1W

+4.64%

1M

+6.11%

3M

+14.24%

YTD

+13.89%

1Y

+29.73%

As of Jul 17, 2026

Technical indicators

RSI (14)
57.1Neutral
MACD (12,26,9)
-3.43Bearish
Moving averages
50: 4600.9 · 200: 4240.04Bullish
Support / Resistance
4,524p / 4,803p

Technical Bias

Neutral

1 Bullish · 1 Bearish · 1 Neutral

British American Tobacco's technical setup shows mixed signals with no clear directional lean: the 50-day moving average sits above the 200-day (bullish structure), but MACD momentum has turned negative, while RSI sits neutral in the middle range. This is a derived technical read, not investment advice.

A transparent read of the indicators below — not a prediction or recommendation.

As of Jul 17, 2026

Fundamentals

Market cap
£100B
P/E ratio
13.34
EPS
3.49p
Profit margin
30.32%
Revenue growth (YoY)
+0.1%
Free cash flow
£4.36B
Beta
0.13
52-week range
3,526p – 5,004p
Dividend yield
5.58%
Ex-dividend date
Oct 1, 2026
Next earnings

As of Jul 17, 2026

Upcoming catalysts

  • Ex-dividend dateOct 1, 2026 · 2.45 / share

As of Jul 17, 2026

Latest news

As of Jul 17, 2026

Short-term outlook

Over the past month British American Tobacco has climbed 6.1%, and it's now sitting between support at 4,524p and resistance at 4,803p. The picture is mixed: price stays above both moving averages, a longer-term positive sign, while RSI is neutral and MACD points to fading momentum. The next few weeks likely hinge on whether the stock can clear 4,803p or slips back towards 4,524p.

Medium-term outlook

Over the next few quarters, British American Tobacco's picture stays anchored in defensive fundamentals: revenue growth is essentially flat at +0.1%, but a hefty 30.3% profit margin and 5.6% dividend yield keep it attractive for income-focused holders. With a modest 13.34 P/E and a neutral technical lean, the stock looks set for a steady, low-drama stretch rather than a clear directional move.

Key risks

  • Revenue growth is essentially flat at +0.1% year on year, suggesting limited top-line momentum despite the stock's strong 12-month run.
  • The 5,500 job cuts, nearly 20% of the global workforce, point to a significant restructuring effort that carries execution risk and could signal deeper pressure on the core business.
  • Trading near the top of its 52-week range at 4,669p, versus a low of 3,526p, leaves less room for error if sentiment shifts or results disappoint.
  • As a traditional tobacco business, BAT remains exposed to long-term structural headwinds like declining smoking rates and tightening regulation, even with a healthy profit margin of +30.3%.

About British American Tobacco PLC

British American Tobacco PLC is a UK-listed consumer defensive company operating in the tobacco industry, trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker BATS. With a market capitalisation of £100 billion, it ranks among the largest names in its sector, reflecting its broad global footprint and long-established position within the tobacco business.

The company's key figures point to a mature, income-focused profile. A price-to-earnings ratio of 13.34 suggests the shares trade at a relatively modest multiple of earnings compared with faster-growing sectors, consistent with how defensive stocks are often valued. Meanwhile, a dividend yield of +5.6% highlights British American Tobacco's reputation as a income-generating holding, a common trait among established consumer defensive companies that generate steady, predictable cash flows.

AI-assisted research for informational purposes only — not investment advice. Figures are sourced from third-party market data and may be delayed. Do your own research before trading. Your capital is at risk.