Safeguard Investment Advisory Group LLC Takes Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Safeguard Investment Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 12,202 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $878,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its position in Altria Group by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,531,000 after purchasing an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 59.3% during the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after buying an additional 14,490 shares during the period. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 206.7% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,358,000 after acquiring an additional 50,931 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $68.46 on Tuesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $54.70 and a 12 month high of $77.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $70.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.89.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.44 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on MO. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.

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.