Altria Group (NYSE:MO) Stock Jumps 1.2% – Here’s Why

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)’s stock price was up 1.2% on Wednesday. The stock traded as high as $69.62 and last traded at $69.3440. Approximately 6,949,258 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 24% from the average daily volume of 9,126,810 shares. The stock had previously closed at $68.55.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Barclays reduced their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.

Altria Group Trading Up 0.1%

The stock has a market cap of $119.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.09, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.42. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $68.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.32.

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 the consensus estimate 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 company had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $1.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. 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 6.2%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 93.67%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Kathryn McQuade purchased 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $67.62 per share, with a total value of $101,430.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 114,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth $26,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

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.