Generali Investments Management Co LLC Has $776,000 Stock Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Generali Investments Management Co LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 298.4% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 11,745 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,797 shares during the quarter. Generali Investments Management Co LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $776,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE MO opened at $69.42 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $52.82 and a 1 year high of $70.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.53 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.47. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $62.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.55.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Altria Group’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 103.16%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup upped their price objective on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group upped their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 30th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $64.33.

Altria Group 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.