Altria Group, Inc. (MO) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $1.06 on April 30th

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of 1.06 per share on Thursday, April 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th.

Altria Group has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 56 years. Altria Group has a dividend payout ratio of 76.5% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the company’s earnings decline. Research analysts expect Altria Group to earn $5.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 76.5%.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.7%

MO stock opened at $68.98 on Friday. Altria Group has a one year low of $52.82 and a one year high of $70.51. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $62.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $115.32 billion, a PE ratio of 16.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.47.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. Altria Group’s revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $64.33.

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.