Janus Henderson Group PLC Sells 88,703 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Janus Henderson Group cut its Altria stake by 53.9% in the first quarter, selling 88,703 shares and retaining 76,002 shares valued at approximately $5.02 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of Altria.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, up 1.2% year over year, but earnings per share of $1.48 fell short of the $1.50 consensus estimate. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.61-$5.72.
• The company’s quarterly dividend is $1.06 per share, or $4.24 annualized, representing a 6.3% yield and an 89.45% payout ratio. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $70.78.

Janus Henderson Group PLC trimmed its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 53.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 76,002 shares of the company's stock after selling 88,703 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC's holdings in Altria Group were worth $5,015,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 5.8% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company's stock valued at $191,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,704 shares of the company's stock worth $733,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 19,546 shares of the company's stock worth $1,127,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the company's stock worth $475,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Patten Group Inc. increased its holdings in Altria Group by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 4,165 shares of the company's stock valued at $275,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $67.64 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $112.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average of $71.36 and a 200-day moving average of $68.57. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.44 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. Altria Group's payout ratio is 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on MO shares. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $70.78.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm's 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 transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

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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