Korea Investment CORP Buys New Shares in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Korea Investment CORP purchased 743,560 Altria shares during the second quarter, valued at approximately $53.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.41% of the company.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, slightly above estimates, but earnings per share of $1.48 fell short of the $1.50 consensus. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.61–$5.72.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with five Buy, four Hold and two Sell ratings; the consensus rating is Hold with an average price target of $70.11. Two directors also recently sold shares, while insiders own 0.10% of the stock.

Korea Investment CORP bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 743,560 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $53,499,000.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its stake 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 in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, 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 transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.3%

Altria Group stock opened at $65.87 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $70.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.86.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 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 the consensus estimate 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 revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. UBS Group lifted their price objective 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. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. 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 research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Five equities research 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $70.11.

About Altria Group

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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