Benjamin Edwards Inc. Buys 37,782 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its Altria stake by 38.3% in the second quarter, purchasing 37,782 additional shares and bringing its holdings to 136,333 shares valued at approximately $9.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of Altria.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, up 1.2% year over year, while EPS of $1.48 narrowly missed estimates. The company’s shares opened at $68.68, with analysts maintaining a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $70.11.
• Altria raised its quarterly dividend 4.7% to $1.11 per share, or $4.44 annualized, implying a 6.5% yield. However, the company faces increased competition after the FDA authorized new flavored JUUL2 products that could pressure its NJOY business.

Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 38.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 136,333 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 37,782 shares during the quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc.'s holdings in Altria Group were worth $9,809,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 126,073,166 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,070,964,000 after buying an additional 1,325,175 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Altria Group by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 72,830,531 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,275,886,000 after acquiring an additional 1,147,141 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Altria Group by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 65,516,916 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,777,931,000 after purchasing an additional 6,265,780 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,984,718 shares of the company's stock worth $2,651,383,000 after purchasing an additional 729,999 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GQG Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $1,806,782,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $68.68 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $70.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $68.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $114.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. This is a positive change from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group's payout ratio is currently 93.67%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on MO shares. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Key Stories Impacting Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Altria raised its quarterly dividend 4.7% to $1.11 per share, payable October 9 to shareholders of record September 15. The increase reinforces Altria’s reputation as a high-yield income stock, with an annualized yield of approximately 6.5%, and may be supporting investor demand. Altria Increases Quarterly Dividend to $1.11 Per Share
• Positive Sentiment: The election of Steve Presley to Altria’s board adds a director with extensive consumer-products and business leadership experience. While not an immediate earnings catalyst, the appointment could support oversight and long-term strategic execution. Altria Announces Election of Steve Presley to Altria’s Board of Directors
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary continues to focus on Altria’s valuation, dividend durability and efforts to expand beyond traditional cigarettes. The stock’s roughly 95% five-year gain highlights its strong performance, but also raises questions about how much future growth is already reflected in the price. Altria Stock Looks Reasonably Priced
• Negative Sentiment: The FDA authorized three new JUUL2 e-cigarette products, including flavored pods. The decision validates the regulated nicotine-vapor category but may intensify competition for Altria’s NJOY business and other reduced-risk products, potentially limiting market-share gains. FDA Allows Marketing of Juul’s New E-Cigarettes and Flavored Pods

Altria Group Company 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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