Altria Group, Inc. $MO Shares Bought by AXQ Capital LP

AXQ Capital LP increased its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 200.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,295 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,538 shares during the quarter. AXQ Capital LP’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $824,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. EMC Capital Management acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 35,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,449,191. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $69.23 on Wednesday. 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 $115.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $68.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.14.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm 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 posted $1.23 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 88.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.44.

Altria Group Company Profile

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.