15,162 Shares in Altria Group, Inc. $MO Bought by Neo Ivy Capital Management

Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 15,162 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,002,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its position in 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 period. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 334.7% during the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $66.48 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $63.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.61. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $52.82 and a 1-year high of $70.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS 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 last year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 103.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $64.33.

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.