15,162 Shares in Altria Group, Inc. $MO Bought by Neo Ivy Capital Management

Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 15,162 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,002,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MO. Kercheville Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Kercheville Advisors LLC now owns 4,397 shares of the company’s stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $382,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 50,805 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,356,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 7,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $488,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.9% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19,819 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,309,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $66.48 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $52.82 and a fifty-two week high of $70.51. The stock has a market cap of $111.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.45. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $63.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.61.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm’s revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is 103.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays upped their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. 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 company. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $64.33.

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.