Altria Group, Inc. $MO Stock Holdings Boosted by Foundations Investment Advisors LLC

Foundations Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 328,425 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,884 shares during the quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $21,696,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Country Trust Bank raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 334.7% during the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.8%

MO opened at $63.12 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $105.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.05, a PEG ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.47. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $58.97 and a 200-day moving average of $61.73. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $50.08 and a 12-month high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 319.43% and a net margin of 37.89%.Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.38 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th were given a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 80.92%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on MO. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $63.00.

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.