HUB Investment Partners LLC Increases Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 26.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 56,757 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 11,729 shares during the quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,749,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the second 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. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted 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 purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of MO stock opened at $66.48 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $111.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.18, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51. The company’s 50 day moving average is $63.25 and its 200 day moving average is $62.64.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted 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%.During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is 103.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Barclays raised their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 30th. Five 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. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price 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.