Aurora Private Wealth Inc. Takes $257,000 Position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Aurora Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,619 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $257,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.9% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 439,082 shares of the company's stock valued at $69,695,000 after buying an additional 87,631 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 31.1% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,531 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Symmetry Investments LP purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth about $1,966,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,223,000. Finally, Annex Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 46.6% during the first quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 34,715 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,510,000 after buying an additional 11,034 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the company's stock.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of PM opened at $179.00 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $100.80 and a twelve month high of $186.69. The company has a market capitalization of $278.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.51. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $177.14 and a 200 day moving average of $154.59.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. The firm 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 122.40% and a net margin of 8.43%. The company's revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.50 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be paid a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. Philip Morris International's dividend payout ratio is presently 111.34%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 price target (up from $205.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Wall Street Zen raised Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 21st. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $176.80.

Philip Morris International Company 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.

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