18,048 Shares in Altria Group, Inc. $MO Purchased by Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.

Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 18,048 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,299,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MO. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $17,461,000. Korea Investment CORP acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $53,499,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $7,859,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at $921,000. Finally, Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at $326,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’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 transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06. The firm has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The business has a fifty day moving average of $70.20 and a 200-day moving average of $68.86.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during 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%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned 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 $70.11.

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.