Altria Group, Inc. $MO Stock Sold by JSF Financial LLC

JSF Financial LLC cut its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 78.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,867 shares of the company’s stock after selling 18,129 shares during the period. JSF Financial LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $328,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.1% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 126,073,166 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,070,964,000 after buying an additional 1,325,175 shares in the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth $1,806,782,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth $1,104,566,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in Altria Group by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,929,142 shares of the company’s stock valued at $853,194,000 after acquiring an additional 133,676 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $631,606,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $76.04 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $69.41 and its 200 day moving average is $69.90. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $126.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.42.

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

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a $1.11 dividend. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. This is an increase from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group’s payout ratio is 93.67%.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Kathryn McQuade acquired 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $67.62 per share, with a total value of $101,430.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 114,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. Freedom Broker upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. BTIG Research began coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.

Key Altria Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Dividend income remains the primary attraction. Articles highlight Altria’s long-term total returns, which were driven largely by reinvested dividends rather than share-price appreciation. The company continues to be featured among high-yield stocks appealing to retirees and income-focused investors. Altria’s Stock Has a Surprising 10-Year Return. Dividends Tell the Story
• Positive Sentiment: Expectations for the upcoming earnings report are favorable. Zacks coverage says Altria has factors that could support an earnings beat and earnings growth. The company’s current fiscal-year guidance calls for adjusted EPS of $5.61 to $5.72, which may be reinforcing confidence in its cash-generation and dividend capacity. Altria Earnings Expected to Grow
• Positive Sentiment: Sector income-stock momentum is supportive. Altria is included in several lists of stocks offering yields above 6%, keeping the company visible to investors seeking cash returns while bond yields remain elevated. Strong results from rival Philip Morris also provide a constructive read-through for tobacco-sector demand and pricing power. Philip Morris Q3 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and technical momentum are mixed. MO is above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and near its annual high, but that strength could make the stock more sensitive to profit-taking if earnings or guidance disappoint.
• Negative Sentiment: Long-term business risks remain. Coverage notes declining cigarette volumes, past write-downs and Altria’s weaker position in smoke-free products. These challenges could limit growth and remain important risks despite the company’s attractive dividend.

Altria Group Company Profile

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based consumer products company focused primarily on tobacco, nicotine and related products. Through its operating companies, Altria sells cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and electronic vapor products.

Altria’s principal cigarette business is Philip Morris USA, whose portfolio includes Marlboro, Parliament and Virginia Slims. Its other major brands include Copenhagen and Skoal moist smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, on! nicotine pouches and NJOY electronic cigarettes.