Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 9.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 130,297 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 11,446 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $8,598,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. EMC Capital Management bought a new stake in Altria Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of MO stock traded up $0.19 on Friday, hitting $71.78. 7,334,373 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,513,980. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $54.70 and a 52 week high of $74.56. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $71.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $66.74. The firm has a market cap of $119.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.02, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.23 EPS. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.7 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 88.70%.

Insider Activity

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s 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 transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available 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 shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director directly 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 ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a research note 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.78.

About Altria Group

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.