HighTower Advisors LLC Sells 1,692,559 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• HighTower Advisors cut its Altria stake by 54.6% in the second quarter, selling 1.69 million shares and retaining 1.41 million shares valued at approximately $101.1 million.
• Analysts maintain a generally cautious outlook, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $70.11. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of Altria’s shares.
• Altria’s latest quarterly results slightly missed expectations, reporting $1.48 in EPS versus $1.50 expected, while revenue of $5.36 billion edged above estimates; the company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.61–$5.72.

HighTower Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 54.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,405,083 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,692,559 shares during the quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC owned 0.08% of Altria Group worth $101,096,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,531,000 after acquiring an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 59.3% during the 1st quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 14,490 shares in the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 206.7% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company's stock worth $4,358,000 after purchasing an additional 50,931 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Citigroup lifted their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction on 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 approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business'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 completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Altria Group Trading Up 1.4%

MO stock opened at $66.08 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.33 billion, a PE ratio of 13.94, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.46. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $70.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.80.

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

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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