Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac Makes New Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac bought a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 23,937 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,339,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. EMC Capital Management purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Down 3.2%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $69.63 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $74.56. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $68.21 and a 200-day moving average of $64.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.48.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. The business’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. Equities research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 88.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 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. In the last three months, insiders sold 35,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,449,191. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.44.

Altria Group 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.