MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV Takes Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV bought 47,156 shares of Altria (NYSE:MO) in Q4, worth about $2.72 million, making MO roughly 2.2% of the firm's holdings and its 22nd-largest position.
• SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares on March 5 for approximately $1.89 million, reducing his ownership by 13.37%; insiders now own only 0.08% of Altria.
• Altria declared a $1.06 quarterly dividend (annual $4.24) for a 6.3% yield with a dividend payout ratio of 103.16%, while analysts hold an average "Hold" rating and $65.75 price target (UBS at $74, Buy).

MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 47,156 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,719,000. Altria Group comprises about 2.2% of MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV's holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest position.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kercheville Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.7% in the third quarter. Kercheville Advisors LLC now owns 4,397 shares of the company's stock valued at $290,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.9% in the third quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,781 shares of the company's stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.3% in the third quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 50,805 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,356,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 17.1% during the fourth quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 1,166 shares of the company's stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.4% during the third quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 7,386 shares of the company's stock worth $488,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $66.81 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $66.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.56. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $70.51. The company has a market cap of $111.69 billion, a PE ratio of 16.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.41.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.02 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. Altria Group's revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given 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 6.3%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on MO. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Finally, Argus raised Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $65.75.

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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