Altria Group (NYSE:MO) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Jefferies Financial Group Analyst Says

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) had its price target hoisted by equities researchers at Jefferies Financial Group from $47.00 to $50.00 in a report released on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has an “underperform” rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s price target suggests a potential downside of 24.79% from the stock’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on MO. Barclays lifted their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. UBS Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup upped their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $64.33.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of MO stock traded down $0.50 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $66.48. 9,119,766 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,233,737. The company has a market capitalization of $111.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $63.25 and its 200 day moving average is $62.64. Altria Group has a 1 year low of $52.82 and a 1 year high of $70.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Altria Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Country Trust Bank grew its position in Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. EMC Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

About Altria Group

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.