Verus Capital Partners LLC Boosts Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Verus Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 18.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 71,482 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 11,202 shares during the period. Verus Capital Partners LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,122,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Viking Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 14.1% during the 4th quarter. Viking Fund Management LLC now owns 202,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,647,000 after purchasing an additional 25,000 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 7.2% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,073,682 shares of the company’s stock worth $797,587,000 after purchasing an additional 814,665 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 13.7% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 144,725 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,561,000 after purchasing an additional 17,429 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 603,834 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,889,000 after purchasing an additional 18,626 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lantz Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,203,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $70.45 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $68.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $64.31. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $74.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $117.64 billion, a PE ratio of 14.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.23 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.44.

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.