Victory Capital Management Inc. Acquires 91,254 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,464,169 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 91,254 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $228,843,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in 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 bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.3%

NYSE:MO opened at $68.89 on Wednesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $52.82 and a twelve month high of $70.51. The company has a fifty day moving average of $62.73 and a 200-day moving average of $62.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $115.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS 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%.During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Altria Group’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 103.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on MO shares. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $64.33.

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.