Swiss National Bank Sells 249,100 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Swiss National Bank trimmed its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 4.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,855,600 shares of the company’s stock after selling 249,100 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned approximately 0.29% of Altria Group worth $320,761,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank grew 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 valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on MO. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $64.33.

Altria Group Stock Performance

NYSE MO opened at $66.48 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51. The company has a fifty day moving average of $63.25 and a 200-day moving average of $62.58. The company has a market capitalization of $111.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS 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 period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 103.16%.

About Altria Group

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.