Vise Technologies Inc. Makes New $10.59 Million Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 147,156 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,588,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the period. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director directly 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 ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $65.87 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $77.06. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $70.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.81. The firm has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.90, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. The company’s revenue 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. On average, equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Altria Group

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.