Balefire LLC Has $6.09 Million Stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Balefire LLC decreased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 42.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 38,361 shares of the company's stock after selling 28,656 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International accounts for about 2.1% of Balefire LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Balefire LLC's holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $6,089,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PM. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 53.7% in the 4th quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 115.0% during the 1st quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 215 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Knuff & Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.2%

PM traded up $0.45 during trading on Friday, reaching $181.11. 7,043,892 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,622,343. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $100.80 and a one year high of $186.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $281.90 billion, a PE ratio of 37.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $175.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $152.79.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.43% and a negative return on equity of 122.40%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.50 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th will be given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.98%. Philip Morris International's payout ratio is presently 111.34%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on PM. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group raised shares of Philip Morris International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $182.00 price target (up from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $176.80.

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.