National Pension Service Buys 134,828 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• National Pension Service increased its Altria stake by 2.8%, purchasing 134,828 additional shares to own nearly 5 million shares worth approximately $359.7 million, or 0.30% of the company.
• Altria reported quarterly revenue of $5.36 billion, up 1.2% year over year, though earnings per share of $1.48 slightly missed analyst expectations. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.11, equating to a 6.5% annualized yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with Altria carrying a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $70.11; price targets range from $58 to $79.

National Pension Service increased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 2.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,998,800 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 134,828 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned approximately 0.30% of Altria Group worth $359,664,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE MO opened at $67.88 on Thursday. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $69.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $69.10. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.34 billion, a PE ratio of 14.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a $1.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. This is an increase from Altria Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MO. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. UBS Group raised their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Altria Group Company Profile

Altria Group, Inc NYSE: MO is a tobacco and nicotine company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Through its operating companies, Altria develops, manufactures and markets cigarettes, cigars, oral tobacco products, nicotine pouches and electronic vaping products, with its business focused primarily on the United States.

Altria's smokeable products portfolio includes Marlboro cigarettes, which are manufactured and marketed in the U.S. by Philip Morris USA, as well as Black & Mild cigars through John Middleton.

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