Opal Capital LLC Invests $4.36 Million in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Opal Capital LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 75,260 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,362,000.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the period. Finally, EMC Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $70.18 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $69.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.14. The stock has a market cap of $117.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.68, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $74.56.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.The business’s revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.23 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 88.70%.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on MO. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen raised Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup raised their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.44.

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.