National Wealth Management Group LLC Makes New $471,000 Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

National Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 8,171 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $471,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its position in Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. EMC Capital Management purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 79.0% in the 4th quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gould Capital LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $63.77 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $52.82 and a 12 month high of $70.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $106.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.45. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $65.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.52.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its earnings results 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 business’s quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 103.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.11.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

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.