Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Lowers Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Daiwa Securities Group cut its Altria stake by 13.4% in the second quarter, selling 80,305 shares and retaining 518,088 shares valued at approximately $37.3 million.
• Institutional ownership remains significant at 57.41%, while analyst sentiment is mixed: five analysts rate Altria a Buy, four Hold, and two Sell, producing an overall “Hold” rating and a consensus price target of $70.11.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above estimates, but earnings per share of $1.48 missed forecasts by $0.02. Shares opened at $65.72, versus a 52-week range of $54.70 to $77.06.

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. reduced its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 13.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 518,088 shares of the company's stock after selling 80,305 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.'s holdings in Altria Group were worth $37,276,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MO. Associated Banc Corp raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 6.4% during the 2nd quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 49,054 shares of the company's stock worth $3,529,000 after buying an additional 2,959 shares during the period. WealthCare Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,175,000. Aviance Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 8.9% in the 2nd quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,235 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,024,000 after acquiring an additional 1,168 shares during the period. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $357,000. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its holdings in Altria Group by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 53,719 shares of the company's stock worth $3,865,000 after acquiring an additional 748 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on MO. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $70.11.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO opened at $65.72 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $77.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $109.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.86, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $70.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $68.73.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Altria Group

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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