Altria Group, Inc. $MO Shares Sold by Calydon Capital

Calydon Capital reduced its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 113,736 shares of the company’s stock after selling 23,896 shares during the period. Altria Group comprises approximately 1.2% of Calydon Capital’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Calydon Capital’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $7,513,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Country Trust Bank raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

NYSE MO opened at $67.96 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $113.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.53, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.45. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $62.61. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $52.82 and a one year high of $70.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Citigroup upped their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.11.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

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.