Ascentis Wealth Management LLC Has $31.66 Million Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Ascentis Wealth Management increased its Altria stake by 4,630.6% in the second quarter, acquiring 430,789 shares to reach 440,092 shares valued at approximately $31.66 million.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above estimates, but earnings per share of $1.48 fell short of the $1.50 consensus. Revenue rose 1.2% year over year, and fiscal 2026 EPS guidance is $5.61–$5.72.
• The stock opened at $65.05, while analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $70.11; two directors also recently sold shares.

Ascentis Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 4,630.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 440,092 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 430,789 shares during the quarter. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Altria Group were worth $31,665,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 5.8% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company's stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC grew its position 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 valued at $243,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,704 shares of the company's stock valued at $733,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the period. Kanawha Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 19,546 shares of the company's stock worth $1,127,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strategic Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the company's stock worth $475,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Stock Performance

NYSE MO opened at $65.05 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $70.96 and a 200-day moving average of $68.72. The stock has a market cap of $108.62 billion, a PE ratio of 13.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MO. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $70.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

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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