Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC Increases Stock Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Altria by 1,053.5% in Q4, buying 48,558 shares to hold 53,167 shares worth about $3.12 million.
• Altria beat Q1 estimates with EPS of $1.32 (vs. $1.25 expected) and revenue of $4.76B (vs. $4.58B), and reconfirmed FY2026 EPS guidance of 5.560–5.72 (consensus ~5.66).
• The company pays a $1.06 quarterly dividend (annualized $4.24) for a yield of ~5.7% but has a payout ratio above 100% (103.16%); insiders have recently sold shares and analyst ratings remain mixed with a consensus "Hold."

Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 1,053.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 53,167 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 48,558 shares during the quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,122,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. EMC Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 79.0% during the fourth quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gould Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 2.4%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $74.37 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $74.56. The company has a 50 day moving average of $66.70 and a 200 day moving average of $62.67. The company has a market capitalization of $124.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.48.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th were paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. Altria Group's payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at $12,221,318.33. The trade was a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat and guidance intact — Altria topped revenue and EPS estimates, cited pricing and cost controls as drivers, and reconfirmed FY2026 EPS guidance, a key reason investors are buying the stock. Altria beats quarterly profit estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade: Stifel raised its price target to $77 and kept a Buy rating, signaling incremental analyst confidence that supports the rally. Stifel raises PT to $77
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley highlights solid profit momentum and visibility from Altria’s pricing and portfolio; that institutional endorsement helped market sentiment. Morgan Stanley bullish note
• Positive Sentiment: Index/momentum attention — coverage noting an “S&P 500 moment” and recent share-price momentum has likely attracted passive and momentum flows into MO. Altria’s S&P 500 Moment
• Positive Sentiment: Income appeal — MO continues to be featured in low-risk/dividend lists, reinforcing demand from income-focused investors. Low-risk investment list
• Neutral Sentiment: Citigroup raised its target to $70 but kept a Neutral rating — signal of modestly improved fundamentals but still cautious relative to current levels. Citigroup PT update
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate housekeeping: Altria will webcast its 2026 annual meeting — routine disclosure, minimal immediate price impact but relevant for shareholder engagement. Webcast of annual meeting
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation/momentum checks — analysts and media note strong 1‑year and 3‑month returns and mixed earnings expectations; market is re-pricing income story vs. growth risks. Valuation check
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/inflation caution — some analysts warn inflation and macro uncertainty increase downside risk despite the dividend and pricing power; a few commentators downgraded or advocated caution. Inflation and macro risk concerns

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $69.63.

Altria Group Company Profile

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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