Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC Purchases 15,176 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 33.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 60,900 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,176 shares during the period. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,867,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 400.0% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 634.5% in the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 639 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 552 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $68.89 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $62.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.57. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51. The company has a market cap of $115.18 billion, a PE ratio of 16.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.45.

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

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $64.33.

Altria Group 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.