Intech Investment Management LLC Has $12.59 Million Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Intech Investment Management LLC reduced its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. by 27.7%, owning 209,813 shares worth approximately $12.59 million after selling 80,501 shares.
• Altria Group recently announced a quarterly dividend increase to $1.06 per share, up from its previous $1.02, providing a yield of 6.4%.
• Research analysts currently have a consensus rating of "Hold" for Altria Group, with a target price averaging $60.88 amidst varied ratings from several firms.

Intech Investment Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 27.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 209,813 shares of the company's stock after selling 80,501 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC's holdings in Altria Group were worth $12,593,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Inlight Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 226.3% during the first quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC now owns 509 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 353 shares in the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 51.8% during the first quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 636 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Menard Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC raised shares of Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $60.88.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $66.26 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.94. The firm has a market cap of $111.31 billion, a PE ratio of 12.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $48.86 and a 1 year high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $5.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.21 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.24% and a negative return on equity of 295.26%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.31 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.350-5.450 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. This is a boost from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.92%.

Altria Group Company Profile

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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