Constant Guidance Financial LLC Makes New Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Constant Guidance Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 7,159 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $472,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 64.7% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the company’s stock valued at $926,000 after purchasing an additional 6,954 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 86.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the company’s stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 2,946 shares during the period. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its position in Altria Group by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the company’s stock worth $565,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $5,752,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Altria is being highlighted as a high-shareholder-yield stock. Its investment appeal includes a roughly 5.8% dividend yield, a long record of annual dividend increases, and a valuation of about 13 times forward earnings. 4 High Shareholder Yield Stocks to Buy Amid Rising Uncertainty
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect second-quarter sales and earnings growth, with pricing and continued momentum in nicotine pouches potentially offsetting declining cigarette volumes. The earnings release is scheduled for July 30, making expectations a near-term catalyst. Altria Q2 Earnings Coming Up: What Should Investors Expect?
• Positive Sentiment: Altria’s Marlboro leadership, recurring tobacco cash flows and more than 50 consecutive years of dividend increases are reinforcing its reputation as a defensive income stock. Its inclusion in Donald Trump’s disclosed portfolio may also be adding investor visibility and sentiment. Altria Group (MO): A Winner in President Trump’s Stock Portfolio?
• Neutral Sentiment: Additional previews focus on estimates for key second-quarter metrics rather than reporting new company results, so the stock remains exposed to an earnings-driven reaction on July 30. Curious About Altria Q2 Performance?
• Negative Sentiment: The principal operating concern remains falling cigarette volumes. Although pricing and oral nicotine growth may cushion the decline, weaker traditional tobacco consumption could limit longer-term growth and weigh on results if the offset is insufficient. Should You Buy Altria for Its 5.8% Dividend Yield Ahead of July 30 Earnings?

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Bank of America increased their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. Citigroup raised their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Five investment 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, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.78.

Altria Group Stock Up 2.7%

Shares of MO opened at $74.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $125.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.66, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $71.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.09.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.23 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.7%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.70%.

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.