Strs Ohio Cuts Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Key Points

• Altria beat Q1 estimates, reporting $1.32 EPS vs. $1.25 expected and $4.76B in revenue (up 5.3% YoY), and reconfirmed FY2026 guidance of about 5.56–5.72 EPS, supporting recent positive investor sentiment.
• High dividend income: the company pays a $1.06 quarterly dividend ($4.24 annualized) for a ~5.7% yield while carrying a payout ratio above 100%, as shares trade with a PE of ~15.6 near their one‑year high.
• Institutional and insider moves: STRS Ohio trimmed its stake by 3.3% to 444,874 shares (~$25.65M), other institutions (notably AXA) added positions, and an Altria SVP sold 27,908 shares, signaling mixed ownership activity.

Strs Ohio decreased its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 3.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 444,874 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,395 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohio's holdings in Altria Group were worth $25,651,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MO. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the company's stock worth $926,000 after buying an additional 6,954 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 86.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the company's stock worth $373,000 after buying an additional 2,946 shares during the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the company's stock worth $565,000 after buying an additional 618 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $5,752,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company's stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $74.37 on Friday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $66.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $62.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $124.30 billion, a PE ratio of 15.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.48. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $74.56.

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

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a research report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on 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 raised their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Argus raised Altria Group to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $69.63.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Key Altria Group News

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

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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