Capital International Inc. CA Raises Stock Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Capital International Inc. CA increased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 288,981 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,457 shares during the quarter. Capital International Inc. CA’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $16,663,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. EMC Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Altria Group news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were 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 represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of MO stock opened at $72.32 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $68.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.50. The stock has a market cap of $120.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.13, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $74.56.

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

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the subject of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, May 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target 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. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.44.

Altria Group 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.