Element Capital Management LLC Has $998,000 Stake in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Element Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 127.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,307 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 9,693 shares during the quarter. Element Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $998,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,704 shares of the company’s stock worth $733,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Kanawha Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 19,546 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,127,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $475,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Acorn Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Acorn Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,117 shares of the company’s stock worth $583,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the period. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 10,498 shares of the company’s stock worth $605,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of MO stock opened at $68.91 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $69.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $65.21. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $54.70 and a 12 month high of $74.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $115.08 billion, a PE ratio of 14.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is 88.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 13th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

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.