Maxi Investments CY Ltd Takes Position in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Maxi Investments CY Ltd acquired a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm acquired 15,300 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,011,000.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Country Trust Bank raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 634.5% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 639 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 552 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $67.58 on Tuesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $52.82 and a 52 week high of $70.51. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $64.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $62.59. The company has a market cap of $112.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share (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 in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

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 issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Citigroup upped their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.11.

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.