Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. Sells 23,587 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 526,963 shares of the company’s stock after selling 23,587 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $34,778,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% during the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

More Altria Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Investors are chasing yield: coverage highlights a ~7% dividend and frames MO as an attractive income play, supporting buying interest in the stock. Altria Yield at 7%, and the Stock Is Rising
• Positive Sentiment: Short-term price momentum: recent reports note MO is outperforming the market and closing higher on the trading day, reinforcing positive technical/flow dynamics. Altria (MO) Surpasses Market Returns
• Positive Sentiment: Earnings backdrop supportive: previews suggest Wall Street expects earnings growth and the company may have the elements for an earnings beat, which can lift sentiment into the report. Altria (MO) Reports Next Week
• Neutral Sentiment: Dividend comparison pieces and analyst notes (e.g., vs. Coca‑Cola) keep the stock in income-focused conversations — helpful for steady demand but not a catalyst alone. Altria vs. Coca-Cola
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple outlets flag MO as a trending/actively watched stock and publish valuation/income analyses—useful for context but mixed in directional impact. Altria Is a Trending Stock Assessing Altria Valuation
• Neutral Sentiment: Reminder: the company is scheduled to report earnings soon — date reminders and previews can increase trading volume and volatility around the release. Altria Expected to Announce Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Fundamental caution: coverage warns that past missteps and year‑over‑year revenue declines could limit upside and justify the low price, tempering longer‑term conviction. Altria: Is This High-Yield Dividend Stock Too Cheap to Ignore?

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $61.92 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $103.95 billion, a PE ratio of 11.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.62. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $50.08 and a one year high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. The company’s revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.38 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 80.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have issued reports on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $62.56.

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.