Altria Group, Inc. $MO Stake Boosted by Flputnam Investment Management Co.

Key Points

• Flputnam Investment Management increased its Altria stake by 200% in the second quarter, ending with 36,769 shares valued at approximately $2.65 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with five Buy, four Hold and two Sell ratings; the consensus rating is Hold with a $70.11 price target.
• Altria raised its quarterly dividend 4.7% to $1.11 per share, implying a roughly 6.5% annual yield, while its latest quarterly EPS of $1.48 slightly missed estimates despite revenue edging above forecasts.

Flputnam Investment Management Co. boosted its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 200.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 36,769 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 24,514 shares during the quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co.'s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,646,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on MO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped 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. BTIG Research started coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen cut Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Altria Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Altria raised its quarterly dividend 4.7% to $1.11 per share, payable October 9 to shareholders of record September 15. The increase reinforces Altria’s reputation as a high-yield income stock, with an annualized yield of approximately 6.5%, and may be supporting investor demand. Altria Increases Quarterly Dividend to $1.11 Per Share
• Positive Sentiment: The election of Steve Presley to Altria’s board adds a director with extensive consumer-products and business leadership experience. While not an immediate earnings catalyst, the appointment could support oversight and long-term strategic execution. Altria Announces Election of Steve Presley to Altria’s Board of Directors
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary continues to focus on Altria’s valuation, dividend durability and efforts to expand beyond traditional cigarettes. The stock’s roughly 95% five-year gain highlights its strong performance, but also raises questions about how much future growth is already reflected in the price. Altria Stock Looks Reasonably Priced
• Negative Sentiment: The FDA authorized three new JUUL2 e-cigarette products, including flavored pods. The decision validates the regulated nicotine-vapor category but may intensify competition for Altria’s NJOY business and other reduced-risk products, potentially limiting market-share gains. FDA Allows Marketing of Juul’s New E-Cigarettes and Flavored Pods

Altria Group Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $68.68 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.98. The company has a market cap of $114.68 billion, a PE ratio of 14.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $77.06.

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). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The business's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.5%. This is a positive change from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is 93.67%.

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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