Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd Has $308.17 Million Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd lowered its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 0.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,664,986 shares of the company’s stock after selling 25,142 shares during the quarter. Altria Group accounts for 1.6% of Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd’s portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $308,169,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% during the second 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 period. EMC Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

MO stock opened at $65.09 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $64.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.61. The company has a market capitalization of $108.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.84, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $52.82 and a 1-year high of $70.51.

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

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.5%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 103.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. 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 research note on Monday, February 23rd. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.11.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

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.