Altria Group (NYSE:MO) Trading Down 1.6% – What’s Next?

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)’s stock price dropped 1.6% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $65.77 and last traded at $65.87. Approximately 8,926,781 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 5% from the average daily volume of 9,386,607 shares. The stock had previously closed at $66.94.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen cut Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, 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 report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.

Altria Group Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a fifty day moving average of $70.32 and a 200-day moving average of $68.83.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its 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). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 197 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.