HBW Advisory Services LLC Has $3.03 Million Position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)

HBW Advisory Services LLC lessened its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 59,445 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,658 shares during the period. HBW Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,034,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 154.4% during the 1st quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 575 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth $27,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Pineridge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $49.92. The company had a trading volume of 4,080,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,142,249. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $39.06 and a twelve month high of $54.95. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $51.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $47.29. The company has a market capitalization of $85.74 billion, a PE ratio of 10.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.65.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.35 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $6.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.39 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 232.55% and a net margin of 42.25%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.31 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.17%. This is a positive change from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th. UBS Group increased their target price on Altria Group from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Barclays raised their target price on Altria Group from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Bank of America upped their price target on Altria Group from $52.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $49.67.

Altria Group Profile

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.