Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 15.1% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 881,440 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 115,925 shares during the quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $63,420,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Altria Group by 78.8% during the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 524 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $65.05 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.72. The firm has a market cap of $108.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.

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.