Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. Makes New Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. purchased a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 13,140 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $867,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Dearborn Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $350,000. Brooks Moore & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $959,000. Bank OZK bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $472,000. Hayek Kallen Investment Management acquired a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $3,129,000. Finally, Old North State Trust LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $285,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Down 2.1%

NYSE:MO opened at $67.66 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $112.97 billion, a PE ratio of 14.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $70.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.95. 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 quarterly 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). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.6%. This is a boost from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 89.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on MO shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.

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.