Traders Buy Large Volume of Call Options on Altria Group (NYSE:MO)

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders acquired 243,407 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 1,141% compared to the average volume of 19,611 call options.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $71.83. The company had a trading volume of 8,402,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,367,691. Altria Group has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $74.56. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $69.27 and its 200-day moving average is $64.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.95 billion, a PE ratio of 15.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group will post 5.68 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 88.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup raised their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays lifted their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’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 sale, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director 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 position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co lifted its stake in Altria Group by 2.5% in the first quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 44,062 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,927,000 after acquiring an additional 1,061 shares during the last quarter. Farmers National Bank increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 96.3% during the 1st quarter. Farmers National Bank now owns 10,434 shares of the company’s stock worth $689,000 after purchasing an additional 5,120 shares during the last quarter. Wealthquest Corp raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 25.9% during the 1st quarter. Wealthquest Corp now owns 6,470 shares of the company’s stock valued at $427,000 after purchasing an additional 1,333 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 43,552 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,874,000 after purchasing an additional 1,375 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 116.4% in the 1st quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 8,271 shares of the company’s stock valued at $546,000 after purchasing an additional 4,449 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% 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.