Los Angeles Capital Management LLC Has $60.83 Million Stake in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 1.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,064,669 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 18,839 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $60,825,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. EMC Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 2.4%

MO opened at $72.32 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $120.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $68.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $74.56.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its earnings results 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 analyst estimates 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 was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.23 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 88.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup raised their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.44.

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.