Empowered Funds LLC Makes New $33.97 Million Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC acquired 472,153 Altria shares during the second quarter, valued at approximately $33.97 million. Institutional investors now own 57.41% of the company.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above estimates, but EPS of $1.48 missed the $1.50 consensus forecast. Shares recently traded at $67.66, down 2.1%.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.06 to $1.11 per share, implying a $4.44 annualized payout and a 6.6% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with a $70.11 price target.

Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 472,153 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $33,971,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 62.9% during the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the period. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $67.66 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $70.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.95. The company has a market cap of $112.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.27, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 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 company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group'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. As a group, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a $1.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This is a boost from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.6%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on MO shares. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

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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