Rayburn West Financial Services LLC Invests $2.44 Million in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Rayburn West Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 42,291 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,438,000. Altria Group comprises 1.5% of Rayburn West Financial Services LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Atria Investments Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 19.1% in the 4th quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 126,190 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,276,000 after acquiring an additional 20,261 shares during the last quarter. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Biltmore Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $240,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC MO bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $285,000. Finally, Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 7,105 shares of the company’s stock worth $410,000 after acquiring an additional 476 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Up 2.4%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $71.54 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $54.70 and a 52 week high of $74.56. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $66.85 and its 200 day moving average is $62.92. The company has a market cap of $119.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.97, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.48.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th were given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 88.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MO. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 2nd. Citigroup boosted their price objective 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. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $69.22.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. The trade was a 13.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

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.