Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Has $67.22 Million Stock Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 1.4% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,165,851 shares of the company’s stock after selling 16,784 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $67,223,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MO. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 160,980,626 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,282,143,000 after buying an additional 1,903,530 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,984,718 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,651,383,000 after acquiring an additional 729,999 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 19.4% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 19,567,823 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,285,575,000 after acquiring an additional 3,172,753 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 16,705,159 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,103,543,000 after acquiring an additional 59,189 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,795,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $737,787,000 after acquiring an additional 47,638 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $72.32 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $74.56. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.50. The company has a market capitalization of $120.77 billion, a PE ratio of 15.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.23 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 88.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on MO shares. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on Altria Group in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target 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.