124,030 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO Acquired by BG Investment Services LLC

Key Points

• BG Investment Services acquired 124,030 Altria shares worth approximately $8.35 million, making Altria its 20th-largest holding. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of the company.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above expectations, but earnings per share of $1.48 fell short of estimates. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.11, representing a 6.0% yield and a high 93.67% payout ratio.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $70.11. Investors continue to weigh Altria’s strong income profile against shrinking cigarette volumes, regulatory risks and its weaker position in smoke-free products.

BG Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 124,030 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,352,000. Altria Group comprises approximately 1.2% of BG Investment Services LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Procyon Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 59.3% in the 1st quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company's stock worth $2,569,000 after buying an additional 14,490 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 8.6% during the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 266,504 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,696,000 after buying an additional 21,124 shares during the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,911,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 26.9% during the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 1,164,691 shares of the company's stock valued at $83,800,000 after purchasing an additional 246,702 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Waverly Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 21.6% in the first quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 95,137 shares of the company's stock worth $6,278,000 after purchasing an additional 16,877 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $74.38 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $77.06. The company has a market cap of $124.19 billion, a PE ratio of 15.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.42. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $69.58 and a 200 day moving average of $69.93.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) 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 firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group's revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group's payout ratio is 93.67%.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect Altria to benefit from favorable earnings comparisons and estimates, raising the possibility of an earnings beat in the upcoming report. A stronger-than-expected result could support the stock and reinforce fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.61–$5.72. Altria (MO) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Altria extended its $3 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility by one year to October 2030. The unchanged terms preserve a substantial liquidity backstop and provide flexibility for working capital, capital allocation and shareholder returns ahead of earnings. Earnings Beat Hopes Could Matter For Altria Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Altria remains popular with income-focused investors because of its roughly 5.7% yield, repeated dividend increases and long-term total returns driven primarily by distributions rather than share-price appreciation. This may attract defensive investors, particularly when cash flows remain resilient. Altria’s Stock Has a Surprising 10-Year Return
• Negative Sentiment: Altria pays out approximately 89.3% of earnings as dividends. While the payout supports the stock’s income appeal, the limited earnings retained for reinvestment leaves less cushion if cigarette volumes decline, regulatory pressures increase or earnings weaken. Altria Pays Out 89.3% of Its Earnings as Dividends
• Negative Sentiment: Longer-term concerns remain over shrinking cigarette volumes, previous write-downs and Altria’s weaker position in smoke-free products. Those structural risks may be weighing on the shares even as investors await a potentially favorable quarterly update.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. Barclays lowered their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Freedom Broker raised Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Monday, October 12th. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $70.11.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other news, Director Kathryn McQuade bought 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were bought 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 in the company, valued at $7,771,498.98. This represents a 1.32% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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