Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Twelve brokerages give Altria an average rating of "Hold" (2 sell, 5 hold, 5 buy) with a 12‑month average target price of $65.11, below the recent share price (~$67.96).
• Altria declared a quarterly dividend of $1.06 (annualized $4.24), implying a 6.2% dividend yield
• SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares at about $67.57 for roughly $1.89M, reducing his position by 13.37%—a significant insider sale disclosed to the SEC.

Shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Hold" from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $65.1111.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays raised their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised 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, March 4th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Argus upgraded Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Country Trust Bank grew its stake in Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $67.96 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $64.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.58. The stock has a market cap of $113.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 287.61% and a net margin of 29.84%.During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. Altria Group's revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Altria Group will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

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.

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