Alyeska Investment Group L.P. Decreases Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Alyeska Investment Group L.P. lowered its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 5.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,133,222 shares of the company's stock after selling 133,393 shares during the quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. owned 0.13% of Altria Group worth $153,485,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company's stock worth $191,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% in the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company's stock valued at $821,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company's stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company's stock worth $858,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,678,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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 1.5%

Altria Group stock opened at $68.68 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $70.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.95.

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

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group's payout ratio is 89.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $70.11.

Altria Group Profile

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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