World Investment Advisors Increases Stock Holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

World Investment Advisors raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 8.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 70,621 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 5,636 shares during the quarter. World Investment Advisors' holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $11,210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 31.1% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,531 shares of the company's stock worth $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,097 shares of the company's stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 60.4% in the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,863 shares of the company's stock valued at $465,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the period. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 62.1% in the fourth quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 16,882 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,032,000 after acquiring an additional 6,467 shares during the period. Finally, Welch & Forbes LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC now owns 21,861 shares of the company's stock worth $2,631,000 after buying an additional 1,174 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Argus raised Philip Morris International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $220.00 target price (up previously from $205.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Friday, June 13th. UBS Group upgraded Philip Morris International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $176.80.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM stock traded up $3.09 on Friday, hitting $179.00. The stock had a trading volume of 2,734,143 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,642,713. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.51. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $101.62 and a 1 year high of $186.69. The company's 50 day moving average price is $177.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $154.59.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 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 analysts' expectations of $9.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.50 EPS. Philip Morris International's revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 27th. Philip Morris International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 111.34%.

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.