Darren SissonsBritish American TobaccoBTITOP PICKOct 05, 2023

Still likes it. It;'s had a big run, but has sold off long-term on ESG terms. A sustainable dividend. Best to trim if you're ahead this year, but if you sell all your holding, you lose that dividend.

The sector has been re-rated somewhat, and investors are anticipating lower interest rates going foward. In its recent earnings release, BAT indicated organic revenue growth would land at the top of its 1-2% range. Though not a formal guidance raise, the comment implies modest improvement. However, organic operating profit guidance was held at 1.5-2.5% -- a clear sign the company will continue investing in its next generation platform. With consumers adopting new products quickly and competition intensifying, sustained R&D is essential. To fund this, BAT must keep maximizing profits from its traditional cigarette business, now aided by a recovery in US revenues, the first positive result since 2022. The company maintained it guidance on currency, with a transactional headwind of 1.5% and translation hit of 4%. Consensus now sees adjusted EPS declining mid-single digits, partly offset by share buybacks. Valuation has gone from about 8X earnings to 12X earnings, with the dividend now 5.01%. Business is improving somewhat, but the usual risks remain. We would consider the 72% one-year gain 'a bit much' here and certainly would not expect these returns to be sustainable. While we would still consider it a solid income stock, we would be fine taking some off the table. 
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Total return also benefited from the currency differential. Up significantly, time to trim -- especially with inflation and potential unemployment spike.

Pays a high 8% dividend and doesn't slide (as much) when markets do. BTI is moving away from traditional smoking. The stock has enjoyed a good run in recent years and is buying back shares. Good at current levels, but not for ESG investors.

One of the real drivers is the substantial dividend and he sees it as a bond proxy. The long term dividend yield is about 45% along with some growth.

It was in a downtrend, then formed a base and breakout. Generally a breakout is a good thing but it can still pull back.

Bit of a dividend trap, though not the worst one. Dividend is quite nice, safe. Revenue growth is slow, either negative or very low. Not much future. Could buy short-term for the dividend, but his outlook is more long term. Yield is 8.5%.

He won't recommend a tobacco company. Life's too short--and they help make it that way.

Hard to see much in terms of price appreciation. Phenomenal cashflow is used to pay dividends. Not a growth business. He'd rather buy a company with better growth prospects. Yield is 10%.

This business is very out of favour, despite transitioning to vapes. It pays a sustainable 10% dividend and are buying back shares. Even if shares don't move over 10 years, you will get 100% of your money back.