Kinloch Capital LLC Takes Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Kinloch Capital LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 77,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,571,000. Altria Group accounts for 2.0% of Kinloch Capital LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,531,000 after acquiring an additional 44,267 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 59.3% in the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 14,490 shares during the period. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,358,000 after purchasing an additional 50,931 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of MO stock opened at $68.08 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $113.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $77.06. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $70.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.91.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. The company’s quarterly 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. Equities research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MO has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.

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.