Inceptionr LLC Invests $1.71 Million in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)

Inceptionr LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 32,779 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,714,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 420.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 572 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Promus Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of MO opened at $55.95 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $40.65 and a 1 year high of $58.59. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.01. The firm has a market cap of $94.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.64.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 46.90% and a negative return on equity of 258.72%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.29%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America raised shares of Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $55.00 to $65.00 in a report on Friday, December 6th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Altria Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $53.29.

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.