Altria Group, Inc. $MO is Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.’s 6th Largest Position

Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 675.3% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 270,416 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 235,538 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up 1.1% of Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $17,864,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Country Trust Bank grew its holdings in Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd 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 grew its holdings in Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd 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 acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Altria Group Price Performance

MO stock traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $67.83. 1,064,657 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,946,783. The company has a market capitalization of $113.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.52, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $52.82 and a fifty-two week high of $70.51. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $64.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.63.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 business posted $1.30 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Barclays boosted 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. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $65.11.

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.