Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) Shares Acquired by National Pension Service

Key Points

• The National Pension Service increased its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. by 5.3%, purchasing an additional 188,228 shares, which brings its total holdings to 3,767,679 shares.
• Despite a rise in investments from other large investors, Philip Morris International's stock saw a decline of 1.0%, currently priced at $168.58 with a twelve-month high of $186.69.
• Philip Morris reported quarterly earnings per share of $1.91, exceeding estimates, but had a revenue of $10.14 billion, falling short of analyst expectations of $10.33 billion.

National Pension Service boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 5.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,767,679 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 188,228 shares during the period. Philip Morris International makes up about 0.6% of National Pension Service's portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. National Pension Service owned about 0.24% of Philip Morris International worth $598,044,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 140,621,675 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,320,878,000 after acquiring an additional 1,189,283 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 122,584,210 shares of the company's stock worth $14,752,926,000 after purchasing an additional 4,216,586 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 13,630,177 shares of the company's stock worth $1,640,392,000 after purchasing an additional 1,347,503 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter worth $1,712,994,000. Finally, Fayez Sarofim & Co increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Fayez Sarofim & Co now owns 10,313,383 shares of the company's stock worth $1,241,216,000 after purchasing an additional 685,431 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.4%

Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.66 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $165.22. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,294,940 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,054,380. The firm has a market capitalization of $257.18 billion, a PE ratio of 31.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.48. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $116.12 and a 1 year high of $186.69. The stock's fifty day moving average is $175.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $164.30.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.86% and a net margin of 9.03%. The company had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.33 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.59 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th were paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 27th. Philip Morris International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 102.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on PM shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $220.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and set a $182.00 price objective (up from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $186.27.

Philip Morris International Profile

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.