Flputnam Investment Management Co. Has $2.65 Million Stake in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Flputnam Investment Management Co. increased its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 36,769 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 24,514 shares during the quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,646,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $66.91 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $77.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $68.83.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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%. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on MO. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Citigroup upped their price objective on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related 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 transaction of $145,120.00. Following the sale, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 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.