HUB Investment Partners LLC Raises Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 26.0% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 56,757 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 11,729 shares during the period. HUB Investment Partners LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,749,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kercheville Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Kercheville Advisors LLC now owns 4,397 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.9% during the third quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 50,805 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,356,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 7,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $488,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19,819 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,309,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $66.48 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $52.82 and a 12-month high of $70.51. The company has a market capitalization of $111.15 billion, a PE ratio of 16.18, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.45. The business has a 50 day moving average of $63.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.64.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 287.61% and a net margin of 29.84%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.30 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 103.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on MO. UBS Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five 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 presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $64.33.

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.