JSF Financial LLC Sells 18,129 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

JSF Financial LLC decreased its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 78.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,867 shares of the company’s stock after selling 18,129 shares during the period. JSF Financial LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $328,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Procyon Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 59.3% during the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 14,490 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 8.6% during the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 266,504 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,696,000 after purchasing an additional 21,124 shares during the period. Callan Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $2,911,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 26.9% in the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 1,164,691 shares of the company’s stock worth $83,800,000 after purchasing an additional 246,702 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Waverly Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 21.6% in the first quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 95,137 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,278,000 after purchasing an additional 16,877 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 3.0%

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $76.04 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $69.41 and its 200 day moving average is $69.90. The stock has a market cap of $126.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.42. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a dividend of $1.11 per share. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 93.67%.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other news, Director Kathryn McQuade purchased 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $67.62 per share, for a total transaction of $101,430.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 114,929 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,771,498.98. This represents a 1.32% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Dividend income remains the primary attraction. Articles highlight Altria’s long-term total returns, which were driven largely by reinvested dividends rather than share-price appreciation. The company continues to be featured among high-yield stocks appealing to retirees and income-focused investors. Altria’s Stock Has a Surprising 10-Year Return. Dividends Tell the Story
• Positive Sentiment: Expectations for the upcoming earnings report are favorable. Zacks coverage says Altria has factors that could support an earnings beat and earnings growth. The company’s current fiscal-year guidance calls for adjusted EPS of $5.61 to $5.72, which may be reinforcing confidence in its cash-generation and dividend capacity. Altria Earnings Expected to Grow
• Positive Sentiment: Sector income-stock momentum is supportive. Altria is included in several lists of stocks offering yields above 6%, keeping the company visible to investors seeking cash returns while bond yields remain elevated. Strong results from rival Philip Morris also provide a constructive read-through for tobacco-sector demand and pricing power. Philip Morris Q3 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and technical momentum are mixed. MO is above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and near its annual high, but that strength could make the stock more sensitive to profit-taking if earnings or guidance disappoint.
• Negative Sentiment: Long-term business risks remain. Coverage notes declining cigarette volumes, past write-downs and Altria’s weaker position in smoke-free products. These challenges could limit growth and remain important risks despite the company’s attractive dividend.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. 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 research note on Tuesday, July 7th. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, Freedom Broker upgraded shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.

Altria Group Company Profile

Altria Group, Inc is a U.S.-based consumer products company focused primarily on tobacco, nicotine and related products. Through its operating companies, Altria sells cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and electronic vapor products.

Altria’s principal cigarette business is Philip Morris USA, whose portfolio includes Marlboro, Parliament and Virginia Slims. Its other major brands include Copenhagen and Skoal moist smokeless tobacco, Black & Mild cigars, on! nicotine pouches and NJOY electronic cigarettes.