Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Shares Sold by McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC

McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 6.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,611 shares of the company’s stock after selling 650 shares during the period. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $577,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Promus Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MO. Needham & Company LLC raised shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $60.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $56.00.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $59.92 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $43.83 and a 1 year high of $61.26. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $58.58 and its 200-day moving average is $56.08. The company has a market cap of $100.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.15, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.04. Altria Group had a net margin of 46.90% and a negative return on equity of 258.72%. The firm had revenue of $4.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.64 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.15 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 16th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 68.34%.

Altria Group Company Profile

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.