Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. Buys 201,000 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 76.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 464,000 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 201,000 shares during the period. Altria Group accounts for about 1.1% of Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $30,652,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Country Trust Bank raised its holdings in Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $61.02 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $50.08 and a 52-week high of $68.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.43 billion, a PE ratio of 11.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.47. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $58.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 319.43% and a net margin of 37.89%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.38 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 80.92%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group upgraded shares of Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $62.56.

Altria Group Company Profile

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.