Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the eleven analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $70.4444.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MO. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen downgraded Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 16th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. UBS Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Altria Group

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. EMC Capital Management bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 1.7%

MO stock opened at $70.45 on Friday. Altria Group has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $74.56. The stock has a market cap of $117.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.74, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $68.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.31.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Altria Group will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 88.70%.

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.