Aurdan Capital Management LLC Makes New $7.45 Million Investment in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Aurdan Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 61,925 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,453,000. Philip Morris International comprises 2.9% of Aurdan Capital Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 139,432,392 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,780,688,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167,810 shares during the period. Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 122,584,210 shares of the company's stock valued at $14,752,926,000 after purchasing an additional 4,216,586 shares in the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 48,746,809 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,866,678,000 after purchasing an additional 6,092,558 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 9.9% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,286,582 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,241,837,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185,258 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,276,790 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,079,262,000 after purchasing an additional 516,617 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Lars Dahlgren sold 3,679 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.96, for a total value of $562,739.84. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,828 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,103,610.88. This represents a 12.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on PM shares. Citigroup lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Argus raised Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $169.20.

Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.46 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $178.77. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,284,260 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,610,835. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.64, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.50. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $163.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $144.64. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $98.93 and a 1-year high of $179.83.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.10 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.08% and a net margin of 7.89%. Philip Morris International's revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.50 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 20th. Philip Morris International's payout ratio is currently 111.34%.

Philip Morris International Profile

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.