Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Stock Has Consensus Price Target of $70.11

Key Points

• Altria has a consensus “Hold” rating from 12 analysts, with five buys, five holds and two sells. The average 12-month price target is $70.11, below the stock’s reported opening price of $73.58.
• The company reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, up 1.2% year over year, but earnings per share of $1.48 narrowly missed analysts’ $1.50 estimate.
• Altria increased its quarterly dividend to $1.11 per share, equivalent to $4.44 annually and a 6.0% yield, though its dividend payout ratio remains high at 93.67%.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $70.11.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Freedom Broker upgraded Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. BTIG Research began coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Monday, October 12th. Barclays dropped their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO stock opened at $73.58 on Tuesday. Altria Group has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $77.06. The firm has a market cap of $122.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.52, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.42. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $69.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.28.

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

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a $1.11 dividend. This is a boost from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 93.67%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Kathryn McQuade bought 1,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were bought at an average price of $67.62 per share, with a total value of $101,430.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 114,929 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Cornerstone National Bank & Trust Co purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 78.8% in the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 524 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Evolution Advisers Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 110.9% in the 2nd quarter. Evolution Advisers Inc. now owns 578 shares of the company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GK Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

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.

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