First Nebraska Trust Co Acquires 19,921 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

First Nebraska Trust Co acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 19,921 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,341,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Balance Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Cornerstone National Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Evolution Advisers Inc. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 110.9% during the 2nd quarter. Evolution Advisers Inc. now owns 578 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GK Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO stock opened at $76.78 on Wednesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $79.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $127.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.73, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.43. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $70.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.91.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.51% and a negative return on equity of 330.66%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.45 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.74%.

Key Altria Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Altria’s Q3 results beat expectations: adjusted EPS was $1.52 and revenue was $5.44 billion. The company cited strength in Marlboro and Basic, growing on! nicotine-pouch contributions, and smoke-free momentum; the earnings report also highlighted a raised outlook. MO Q3 deep dive: smoke-free momentum and price discipline drive guidance raise
• Positive Sentiment: A Zacks analysis points to improving momentum and describes Altria as a potential momentum-stock pick. The recent strong share-price performance may support investor interest, though it also raises valuation concerns. What Makes Altria a Strong Momentum Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Altria filed a universal shelf registration, giving it flexibility to issue debt, warrants, or other securities for refinancing, investment, or general purposes. No specific offering was announced, but future issuance could affect leverage or dilute shareholders, depending on the securities used. Why Did Altria File a Universal Shelf Registration?
• Neutral Sentiment: Dividend comparisons continue to emphasize Altria’s high income appeal; one analysis cited a yield around 6.5%. These comparisons may support income-focused demand but are not a new company announcement. Better Dividend Stock: Altria vs. British American Tobacco
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation commentary suggests MO could be about 6% overvalued after its recent run-up. Barclays raised its price target from $58 to $60 but maintained an “underweight” rating, signaling downside risk in its view. Altria Could Be 6% Overvalued

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $71.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 30th. Freedom Broker upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Barclays increased their price target on Altria Group from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Altria Group from $79.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $71.67.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other news, Director Kathryn McQuade bought 1,500 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction 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 purchase, the director directly owned 114,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Altria Group

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.