Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Stock Has Average Price Target of $70.11 According to Analysts

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) has received an average rating of “Hold” from the twelve brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $70.11.

Several research analysts have recently commented on MO shares. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Freedom Broker upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 16th.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.0%

MO stock opened at $67.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $112.44 billion, a PE ratio of 14.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.42. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $68.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $69.21. Altria Group has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.44 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Altria Group will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a $1.11 dividend. This is a positive change from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 93.67%.

Key Stories Impacting Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst estimates remain moderately supportive. Altria has a consensus price target of approximately $70.11, while another report cited a 10.19% increase in the consensus target, suggesting some analysts still see upside from current levels. Altria Group consensus price target
• Positive Sentiment: Altria’s appeal remains centered on its roughly 6.6% dividend yield and long record of annual increases. Supportive dividend-stock coverage argues that the company continues to generate sufficient cash flow to merit consideration even with Treasury yields above 5%. Dividend stocks above 5% Treasury yields
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation is the central debate. Articles question whether Altria’s strong five-year total return and current earnings adequately justify the share price, making the upcoming earnings release an important catalyst for reassessing fair value. Is Altria reasonably priced?
• Negative Sentiment: The most bearish coverage warns that Altria’s core cigarette business is shrinking, its smoke-free product transition has disappointed, margins are weakening, and liabilities substantially exceed assets. These issues could undermine the durability of the dividend despite its long history of increases. Altria balance sheet and dividend concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Recent weakness has left Altria lagging the broader market over the short term, reinforcing concerns that investors are discounting slower growth and possible dividend risk ahead of earnings. Altria recent market performance

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Kathryn McQuade acquired 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were bought at an average price of $67.62 per share, for a total transaction of $101,430.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 114,929 shares in the company, valued at $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MO. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the period. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 78.8% during the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 524 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based holding company focused primarily on tobacco and nicotine products. Through its operating companies, Altria manufactures and markets cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, oral nicotine products and electronic cigarettes. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Marlboro cigarettes, Copenhagen and Skoal smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, NJOY e-cigarettes and on! nicotine pouches.

Altria’s principal businesses include Philip Morris USA, the largest U.S.