Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) Reaches New 12-Month High - Time to Buy?

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $158.85 and last traded at $158.78, with a volume of 5457599 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $155.28.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, January 16th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com lowered Philip Morris International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $144.56.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

The company's 50-day simple moving average is $134.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $236.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.53.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.06. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. Research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 26th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.55%. Philip Morris International's payout ratio is 119.73%.

Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International

In related news, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 40,643 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.06, for a total value of $6,058,245.58. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 561,349 shares of the company's stock, valued at $83,674,681.94. This trade represents a 6.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Jacek Olczak sold 40,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.87, for a total value of $5,954,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 547,426 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $81,495,308.62. The trade was a 6.81 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 128,143 shares of company stock valued at $19,092,846. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Philip Morris International

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 53.7% in the fourth quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 457.5% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 223 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 203.8% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 240 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.