Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

British American Tobacco share price: what to expect from full year results

In this article we find out what we can expect from the upcoming British American Tobacco results, how they could affect the company share price as well as how to trade  the earnings.

When is British American Tobacco’s earnings date?

The British American Tobacco (BAT) earnings release date is scheduled for the 17 February 2021. The results will cover the groups fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) earnings.

British American results preview: what does the street expect?

British American Tobaccos Q4 and FY20 results and earnings are expected to benefit from continued revenue growth in the ‘New Category' products. The ‘New Category Products’ include Vuse (vapour products), Velo (modern oral products) and GLO (tobacco heating products or THP). Vuse is currently the fastest growing vapour brand in the world, GLO is expecting to see volume growth of more than 20% while Velo is continuing to expand its portfolio (partly through acquisition) in the US.

The combustibles (cigarettes) division remains the groups core business, while diversification efforts are ongoing. Operations in this department are expected to have resulted in volume growth ahead of the industry, driven by strategic pricing initiatives. This is however an industry under pressure with Covid-19 restrictions and headwinds having weighed on the business over the reporting period.

While on a constant currency adjusted basis, revenue growth of between 1% and 3% is forecast by the group, revenue without the adjustment could be flat to slightly negative.

A Refinitiv consensus of analyst estimates suggests revenue for FY20 to have declined by 0.82% to £25,664 million, although earnings per share (EPS) are expected to have grown by 1.87%.

How to trade British American Tobacco FY20 results

The two graphics below provide traders with both a retail short-term view on the stock, as well as an institutional longer-term view on the British American Tobacco share price, as to how market participants are positioned ahead of the FY20 earnings release.

Source: IG charts

A Refinitiv Workspace poll (above table) of 22 analysts maintain a long-term average rating of ‘buy’ for British American Tobacco (as of 15 February 2021).

Source: IG charts

From a retail trader perspective (as of 15 February 2021), 80% of IG clients with open positions on British American Tobacco expect the share price to rise over the near term, while 20% of IG clients with open positions expect the price to fall.

British American Tobacco share price: technical analysis

BAT chart Source: IG charts
BAT chart Source: IG charts

The British American Tobacco share price continues to trade in a rangebound environment over the medium term considered between levels 2635 (support) and 2740 (resistance).

In the short term we see the share price breaking resistance of the consolidation highlighted grey on our chart. The breakout suggest that the move off the broader range support may be gaining momentum with 2840 the initial upside resistance target from the move. A break above this level (confirmed with a close), would consider range resistance at 2970 a longer-term target.

Traders who are long might use a close below the midpoint of the near term consolidation at 2680 as a stop loss consideration.

In summary

  • British American Tobacco FY20 results are scheduled for release on the 17 February 2021
  • Group revenue for the group is expected to be flat in FY20, although underlying EPS are expected to have increased marginally
  • The average long-term broker rating for British American Tobacco is ‘buy’
  • The majority of IG clients with open positions on British American Tobacco expect the price to rise in the near term
  • A technical analysis view on the British American Tobacco share price shows a short-term upside breakout in a medium-term rangebound price environment

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Seize a share opportunity today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks.

  • Increase your market exposure with leverage
  • Get spreads from just 0.1% on major global shares
  • Trade CFDs straight into order books with direct market access

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Monday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.