Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Has $15.97 Million Stake in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 5.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 276,969 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,832 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $15,970,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 64.7% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the company’s stock valued at $926,000 after buying an additional 6,954 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 86.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the company’s stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 2,946 shares during the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. grew its holdings in Altria Group by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $565,000 after buying an additional 618 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,752,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $69.63 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $74.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $116.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.57, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s 50 day moving average is $68.21 and its 200-day moving average is $64.07.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.The company had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. Altria Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 88.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America raised their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. Barclays raised their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Citigroup raised their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, May 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 35,698 shares of company stock worth $2,449,191 in the last 90 days. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company’s operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country.

Altria’s principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S.