Capital Wealth Planning LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Capital Wealth Planning LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 156.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 143,289 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 87,480 shares during the period. Capital Wealth Planning LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $8,262,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 62.9% during the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EMC Capital Management purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, 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 sale, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Altria Group from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Citigroup raised their price objective on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Altria Group Trading Up 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $73.12 on Thursday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $69.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.78. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $74.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.46.

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. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 88.70%.

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.