Czech National Bank Increases Stock Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Czech National Bank raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 4.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 475,315 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 18,136 shares during the quarter. Czech National Bank’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $34,199,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 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 transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.78.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO stock opened at $67.64 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $71.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.57. The firm has a market cap of $112.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.27, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 89.45%.

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.