Altria Group (NYSE:MO) Stock Price Up 1.5% Following Dividend Announcement

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MOGet Free Report)’s stock price was up 1.5% during mid-day trading on Friday after the company announced a dividend. The company traded as high as $68.75 and last traded at $68.68. Approximately 5,841,537 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 37% from the average daily volume of 9,327,181 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.67.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $1.11 dividend. This is a positive change from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.5%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on MO. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Altria Group

Altria Group Stock Up 1.5%

The stock has a market cap of $114.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.49, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $70.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.95.

Altria Group (NYSE:MOGet Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Dividend increased 4.7%: Altria raised its quarterly dividend to $1.11 per share from $1.06. The dividend is payable October 9 to shareholders of record September 15, supporting the investment case for income-focused holders. Altria Increases Quarterly Dividend to $1.11 Per Share
  • Positive Sentiment: Board addition may support strategic execution: Altria elected Steve Presley to its board of directors. The appointment could add relevant consumer-products and business-management experience as the company manages its traditional tobacco portfolio and develops smoke-free products. Altria Announces Election of Steve Presley to Altria’s Board of Directors
  • Neutral Sentiment: Valuation appears reasonable after a strong run: Recent commentary describes Altria as reasonably priced despite an approximately 95% five-year gain. This may limit near-term valuation concerns, but it also suggests investors will look for continued earnings and dividend growth to drive further upside. Altria Stock Looks Reasonably Priced
  • Neutral Sentiment: Smoke-free transition remains central: Analysis comparing Altria with Philip Morris highlights both companies’ efforts to expand reduced-risk and smoke-free products. Altria’s progress in this area could influence its long-term growth as cigarette volumes decline. Altria vs. Philip Morris

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the company’s stock worth $926,000 after purchasing an additional 6,954 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 86.3% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the company’s stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 2,946 shares during the period. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its position in Altria Group by 6.9% in the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $565,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $5,752,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

Further Reading

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