NewEdge Advisors LLC Sells 25,469 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

NewEdge Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 7.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 329,804 shares of the company’s stock after selling 25,469 shares during the quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $21,764,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $68.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $114.16 billion, a PE ratio of 14.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $71.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.56. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on MO. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.78.

Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group

In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.