Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Receives Average Rating of "Hold" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts have a consensus “Hold” rating on Altria, with two sell, five hold, and five buy ratings; the average 12-month price target is $70.11.
• Shares opened at $66.89, down 0.7%, while the company reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion and EPS of $1.48, slightly below analyst expectations.
• Altria raised its quarterly dividend to $1.11 per share, equivalent to an annualized $4.44 payout and a 6.6% yield, though its 93.67% payout ratio highlights potential dividend-sustainability concerns.

Shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Hold" from the twelve analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $70.11.

Several research firms have weighed in on MO. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Freedom Broker raised shares of Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company.

Altria Group News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Altria is included among large-cap dividend stocks viewed as capable of remaining attractive even with Treasury yields above 5%. The company’s recurring cash flow and tobacco-sector profitability support the case for continued dividend payments. Treasury Yields Are Above 5%. These 4 Dividend Stocks Still Make the Cut
• Neutral Sentiment: A valuation analysis questions whether MO’s current price is fully supported by its earnings after the stock returned 112.9% over five years. The discussion shifts investor focus from past momentum to the sustainability and value of Altria’s profit stream. Is Altria Group (MO) Reasonably Priced on Earnings Today?
• Neutral Sentiment: MO has attracted increased attention on Zacks, but the related coverage provides general information rather than a new earnings, operational or strategic catalyst. Here is What to Know Beyond Why Altria Group, Inc. (MO) is a Trending Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Altria’s high yield is also being framed as a potential warning sign: investors may interpret an unusually large payout as evidence of market concern about future growth or dividend sustainability. The article does not report an actual dividend reduction, but the risk narrative can pressure income-focused valuations. 6 High-Yield Stocks Where the Market May Be Warning of a Dividend Cut
• Negative Sentiment: Recent market coverage noted that Altria declined more than the broader market in the prior session. The move appears tied to broader trading and valuation pressure rather than a newly announced company-specific development. Altria (MO) Dips More Than Broader Market: What You Should Know

Altria Group Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $66.89 on Friday. The business's 50 day moving average is $68.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.21. Altria Group has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $77.06. The firm has a market cap of $111.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.11, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.42.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Altria Group will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a $1.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.6%. This is an increase from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is 93.67%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kathryn McQuade acquired 1,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $67.62 per share, for a total transaction of $101,430.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 114,929 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,771,498.98. This represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Altria Group

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company's stock worth $191,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company's stock worth $821,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company's stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company's stock valued at $858,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,678,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company's stock.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based holding company focused primarily on tobacco and nicotine products. Through its operating companies, Altria manufactures and markets cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, oral nicotine products and electronic cigarettes. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Marlboro cigarettes, Copenhagen and Skoal smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, NJOY e-cigarettes and on! nicotine pouches.

Altria's principal businesses include Philip Morris USA, the largest U.S.

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