Kestra Advisory Services LLC Decreases Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Kestra Advisory Services LLC trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 453,352 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,995 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $27,210,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 226.3% in the 1st quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC now owns 509 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 353 shares during the period. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, TruNorth Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 51.8% in the 1st quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 636 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $67.6150 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $48.86 and a 52-week high of $68.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.59 billion, a PE ratio of 13.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.59. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $61.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $58.76.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.07. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.The firm had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.31 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.350-5.450 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This is a boost from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 78.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on MO. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Altria Group from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Needham & Company LLC raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Barclays lifted their price target on Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $60.00.

Altria Group Company 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.