London Co. of Virginia Trims Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

London Co. of Virginia trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,951,964 shares of the company’s stock after selling 76,430 shares during the period. Altria Group accounts for 1.4% of London Co. of Virginia’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. London Co. of Virginia’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $261,068,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank raised its holdings in Altria Group by 400.0% during the second 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 lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 634.5% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 639 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 552 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group upped their price target on Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Barclays increased their price objective 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. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.5%

Altria Group stock opened at $67.58 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $112.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.44, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.45. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $64.44 and its 200 day moving average is $62.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51.

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%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. 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 6.3%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.16%.

About Altria Group

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.