Vise Technologies Inc. Acquires 4,239 Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Vise Technologies Inc. raised its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 23.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,074 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,239 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc.'s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $2,657,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 53.7% during the fourth quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Knuff & Co LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International in the fourth quarter worth $41,000. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the company's stock.

Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.6%

PM traded up $1.00 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $179.19. The stock had a trading volume of 4,083,243 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,611,798. The company has a market capitalization of $278.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.50. The stock's 50 day moving average is $163.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $144.39. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $98.93 and a one year high of $179.79.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.50 earnings per share. Philip Morris International's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th were issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. Philip Morris International's payout ratio is currently 111.34%.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In related news, insider Lars Dahlgren sold 3,679 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.96, for a total transaction of $562,739.84. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,828 shares in the company, valued at $4,103,610.88. This represents a 12.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $182.00 price objective (up previously from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group raised Philip Morris International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Argus raised Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $169.20.

About Philip Morris International

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.