Calamos Advisors LLC Purchases 14,072 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Calamos Advisors LLC boosted its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 24.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 72,822 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,072 shares during the quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,806,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO stock opened at $70.44 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $117.63 billion, a PE ratio of 14.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $74.56. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $71.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.05.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. The firm’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, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.7 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 88.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective 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. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.78.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’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 completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

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.