Altria Group, Inc. (MO) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $1.06 on April 30th

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of 1.06 per share on Thursday, April 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th.

Altria Group has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 56 years. Altria Group has a dividend payout ratio of 76.5% indicating that its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the company’s earnings fall. Research analysts expect Altria Group to earn $5.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 76.5%.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE:MO opened at $64.46 on Monday. Altria Group has a one year low of $52.82 and a one year high of $70.51. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $65.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $62.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $107.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 EPS. Altria Group’s revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Altria Group will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Altria Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. EMC Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

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.