iSAM Funds UK Ltd Makes New Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• iSAM Funds UK Ltd opened a new position in Altria, acquiring 47,381 shares in the third quarter worth about $3.13 million.
• Altria declared a quarterly dividend of $1.06 (annualized $4.24), implying a 6.2% yield
• SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares on March 5 for roughly $1.89 million, cutting his stake by 13.37%.

iSAM Funds UK Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 47,381 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,130,000.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% during the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Trading Up 0.3%

MO opened at $67.96 on Friday. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $64.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $62.64. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $52.82 and a 1-year high of $70.51. The stock has a market cap of $113.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. The firm's revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is 103.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays increased their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $65.11.

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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