Altria Group, Inc. $MO Shares Sold by Ascentis Independent Advisors

Key Points

• Ascentis Independent Advisors cut its Altria stake by 94.3% in the second quarter, selling 75,006 shares and retaining 4,574 shares valued at approximately $329,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 57.41% of Altria.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with five Buy, four Hold, and two Sell ratings. The stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $70.11.
• Altria’s latest quarterly earnings slightly missed expectations, with EPS of $1.48 versus the $1.50 consensus, while revenue reached $5.36 billion and rose 1.2% year over year. Two directors also sold shares in May.

Ascentis Independent Advisors decreased its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 94.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,574 shares of the company's stock after selling 75,006 shares during the quarter. Altria Group makes up approximately 0.9% of Ascentis Independent Advisors' portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Ascentis Independent Advisors' holdings in Altria Group were worth $329,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the period. Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Barclays cut their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $70.11.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $65.72 on Friday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $70.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.69. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The company has a market cap of $109.74 billion, a PE ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during 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 revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.

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