Altria Group, Inc. $MO Position Increased by Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.

Key Points

• Landscape Capital Management increased its Altria stake by 675.3% in Q3, buying an additional 235,538 shares to hold 270,416 shares worth $17.86 million, making MO its 6th-largest holding (~1.1% of the firm's portfolio).
• Insider sale: SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares at about $67.57 on March 5 for roughly $1.89 million, trimming his position by 13.37% (corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company).
• Dividend and analyst backdrop: Altria declared a $1.06 quarterly dividend (annualized $4.24, ~6.3% yield, payout ratio 103.16%), while analysts hold a consensus "Hold" rating with a $65.11 target amid mixed opinions.

Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 675.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 270,416 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 235,538 shares during the quarter. Altria Group accounts for approximately 1.1% of Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.'s portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.'s holdings in Altria Group were worth $17,864,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 24,623 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,627,000 after buying an additional 809 shares during the period. Certuity LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the third quarter worth $200,000. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 5.8% in the third quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. now owns 9,777 shares of the company's stock valued at $646,000 after acquiring an additional 532 shares during the period. Acorns Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the third quarter valued at $223,000. Finally, Seven Mile Advisory boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter. Seven Mile Advisory now owns 8,090 shares of the company's stock worth $534,000 after purchasing an additional 1,177 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Argus upgraded Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $65.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

MO traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $67.83. 1,064,657 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,946,783. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $52.82 and a 1-year high of $70.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.40 billion, a PE ratio of 16.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.45. The business's 50-day moving average price is $64.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $62.63.

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

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

About Altria Group

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.