Emerald Investment Advisers LLC Makes New $1.51 Million Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Emerald Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 20,972 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,509,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $70.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.86. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on MO shares. UBS Group upped their target price on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.

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.