Emerald Investment Advisers LLC Invests $1.51 Million in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Emerald Investment Advisers acquired 20,972 Altria shares in the second quarter, valued at approximately $1.51 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with five Buy, four Hold, and two Sell ratings; the consensus rating is Hold with a $70.11 price target.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above estimates, but EPS of $1.48 missed expectations by $0.02. Shares opened at $65.87, below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

Emerald Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 20,972 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,531,000 after buying an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 59.3% during the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company's stock worth $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 14,490 shares in the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,358,000 after acquiring an additional 50,931 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related 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 transaction 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group 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 completion of the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Five equities 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The business's 50 day moving average is $70.20 and its 200-day moving average is $68.86.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter 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. Analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

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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