Intech Investment Management LLC Sells 47,007 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Intech Investment Management LLC decreased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 25.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 140,205 shares of the company’s stock after selling 47,007 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $8,084,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. EMC Capital Management bought a new stake in Altria Group in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on MO shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% 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. Also, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 35,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,449,191. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Down 3.2%

MO opened at $69.63 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $116.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.57, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.48. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $68.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.02. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $74.56.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The company’s revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.23 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 88.70%.

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.