Capital World Investors Has $1.06 Billion Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Capital World Investors cut its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 26.3% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 18,435,287 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,590,723 shares during the quarter. Capital World Investors’ holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,062,979,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. EMC Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE MO opened at $72.32 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $120.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $74.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $68.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $64.50.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly 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 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 the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.23 EPS. The firm’s quarterly 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. Equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 88.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 16th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.44.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 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 transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director 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 ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.