Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. Has $5.75 Million Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 17.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 87,102 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,980 shares during the period. Altria Group accounts for 0.9% of Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $5,754,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Country Trust Bank grew its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 634.5% during the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 639 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 552 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of Altria Group 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 transaction, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $67.96 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $113.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.45. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $64.21 and a 200-day moving average of $62.64. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $70.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 103.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target 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.