Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Stake Boosted by Capital Research Global Investors

Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO - Free Report) by 0.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,051,681 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 12,418 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors owned 0.71% of Altria Group worth $630,182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Altria Group by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 59,805,286 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,127,218,000 after acquiring an additional 2,296,972 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 41,938,507 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,193,687,000 after purchasing an additional 1,134,748 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 22,273,491 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,164,681,000 after purchasing an additional 76,004 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 9.1% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 11,801,958 shares of the company's stock worth $617,124,000 after purchasing an additional 983,328 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Altria Group by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 6,218,299 shares of the company's stock valued at $325,155,000 after buying an additional 222,584 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE MO traded down $0.01 on Thursday, hitting $58.56. 2,105,573 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,612,226. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $42.76 and a twelve month high of $60.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.54. The company's 50 day moving average price is $56.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.42.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 46.90% and a negative return on equity of 258.72%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.97%. Altria Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $60.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Altria Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $54.00.

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.