Morgan Stanley Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Altria Group (NYSE:MO) Stock

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) had its price target lifted by research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $71.00 to $77.00 in a research note issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley‘s target price suggests a potential downside of 1.87% from the stock’s current price.

MO has been the topic of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Monday, October 12th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Freedom Broker raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.78.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO traded up $1.72 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $78.47. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 4,723,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,017,322. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $70.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $131.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.42. Altria Group has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $79.81.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group’s revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.45 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Altria Group will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Altria Group news, Director Kathryn McQuade purchased 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $67.62 per share, with a total value of $101,430.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 114,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,771,498.98. This trade represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MO. Cortland Associates Inc. MO grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% during the third quarter. Cortland Associates Inc. MO now owns 11,079 shares of the company’s stock valued at $746,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,194 shares of the company’s stock worth $552,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $821,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Key Altria Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings and revenue exceeded expectations. Adjusted diluted EPS rose to $1.52 from $1.45 a year earlier, topping the $1.51 consensus estimate. Net revenue, excluding excise taxes, increased 3.6% to $5.44 billion, also ahead of forecasts. Altria stock is up, what you need to know
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance. The improved outlook reflects effective cigarette pricing, stronger smokeable-products profitability and continued cost discipline. MO Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Higher Guidance and Nicotine Strategy
• Positive Sentiment: Growth in smoke-free nicotine products supports the long-term strategy. Altria highlighted continued growth in its on! nicotine pouch business, while discount cigarette products gained traction amid consumer sensitivity to economic conditions.
• Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns received an additional boost. The company expanded its share-repurchase program, complementing its substantial dividend and potentially supporting per-share earnings.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based consumer products company focused primarily on tobacco, nicotine and related products. Through its operating companies, Altria sells cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and electronic vapor products.

Altria’s principal cigarette business is Philip Morris USA, whose portfolio includes Marlboro, Parliament and Virginia Slims. Its other major brands include Copenhagen and Skoal moist smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, on! nicotine pouches and NJOY electronic cigarettes.