WBI Investments LLC Buys 14,555 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

WBI Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 33.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 58,022 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 14,555 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up approximately 1.0% of WBI Investments LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. WBI Investments LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Kercheville Advisors LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 3.7% during the third quarter. Kercheville Advisors LLC now owns 4,397 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,781 shares of the company’s stock worth $382,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 50,805 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,356,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 7,386 shares of the company’s stock worth $488,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Optimist Retirement Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 35,577 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,350,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was 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 represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays boosted their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $65.11.

Altria Group Price Performance

MO stock opened at $66.96 on Wednesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $52.82 and a 12 month high of $70.51. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $64.68 and its 200 day moving average is $62.59. The company has a market capitalization of $111.94 billion, a PE ratio of 16.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.45.

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 net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. The company’s revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

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

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.