Victory Financial Group LLC Buys 9,522 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Victory Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 255.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,243 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,522 shares during the period. Victory Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $892,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 1.8% in the third quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,194 shares of the company’s stock valued at $552,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 1.3% in the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock valued at $821,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Finally, Old Peak Finance LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on MO shares. UBS Group raised their price target 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. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Freedom Broker upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Altria Group news, Director Kathryn McQuade bought 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $67.62 per share, for a total transaction of $101,430.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 114,929 shares in the company, valued at $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Altria Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Altria’s roughly 6% dividend yield remains a key attraction, offering more than twice Coca-Cola’s yield. The company recently delivered its 61st dividend increase in 57 years, reinforcing its status as a long-term income stock. Altria Now Yields Twice as Much as Coca-Cola
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlights Altria’s ability to support dividend growth through cigarette pricing power despite declining U.S. smoking rates. Its relatively low valuation and established cash generation could help limit downside for income-oriented investors. Altria Dividend Analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are awaiting Altria’s October 29 third-quarter report for updated information on sales trends, earnings, guidance, and the company’s growth prospects. The company’s current full-year EPS guidance is $5.61 to $5.72, with analysts expecting approximately $5.67. Altria Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains cautious, with sell-side analysts assigning Altria a “Hold” rating. This suggests the stock’s high income potential is balanced against limited growth and tobacco-industry risks. Altria Rated Hold
• Negative Sentiment: Declining smoking rates remain a structural concern, while Treasury yields near 5% make high-yield stocks work harder to justify their risk. A disappointing earnings outlook or weaker-than-expected cigarette volumes could pressure the shares. How Will Altria Stock React to Earnings

Altria Group Trading Down 1.0%

MO stock opened at $72.77 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $70.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.55. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The firm has a market cap of $121.51 billion, a PE ratio of 15.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.42.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a dividend of $1.11 per share. This is an increase from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is 93.67%.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based consumer products company focused primarily on tobacco, nicotine and related products. Through its operating companies, Altria sells cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and electronic vapor products.

Altria’s principal cigarette business is Philip Morris USA, whose portfolio includes Marlboro, Parliament and Virginia Slims. Its other major brands include Copenhagen and Skoal moist smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, on! nicotine pouches and NJOY electronic cigarettes.