Alta Advisers Ltd Increases Stock Holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Alta Advisers Ltd increased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 53.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,087 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,800 shares during the quarter. Alta Advisers Ltd's holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,284,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of PM. Perigon Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,087 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,236,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.9% during the first quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 6,932 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,100,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.1% during the first quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,005 shares of the company's stock valued at $477,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.3% in the first quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. now owns 2,032 shares of the company's stock valued at $323,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Western Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.5% during the first quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,446 shares of the company's stock worth $706,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on PM shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up previously from $205.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Friday, June 13th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $182.00 price target (up from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $176.80.

Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.8%

Philip Morris International stock traded down $1.50 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $176.03. The company's stock had a trading volume of 5,571,923 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,629,961. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $100.80 and a 1 year high of $186.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $273.99 billion, a PE ratio of 36.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.51. The stock's fifty day moving average is $176.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $153.71.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.40% and a net margin of 8.43%. The firm had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.50 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. 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 will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th will be given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.07%. Philip Morris International's payout ratio is currently 111.34%.

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.