Barclays PLC Purchases 1,249,525 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Barclays PLC increased its stake in Altria by 24.9%, buying 1,249,525 shares to hold 6,264,224 shares (about 0.37% of the company) valued at roughly $413.8 million.
• Altria announced a quarterly dividend of $1.06 (annualized $4.24) with an ex-dividend date of March 25 and a yield of 6.3%, while its payout ratio stands at 103.16%.
• Altria has a market cap of $112.1 billion and a P/E of 16.32; it reported $1.30 EPS (missed by $0.02) last quarter, and analysts have a consensus "Hold" rating with a $64.33 price target.

Barclays PLC raised its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 24.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,264,224 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 1,249,525 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned 0.37% of Altria Group worth $413,815,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its position in Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $67.06 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $112.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.32, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $63.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.64.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 287.61% and a net margin of 29.84%.Altria Group's quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.30 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group's payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on MO. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Citigroup increased their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Argus raised Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $64.33.

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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