Violich Capital Management Inc. Acquires 31,876 Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Violich Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM - Free Report) by 72.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 75,605 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 31,876 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International comprises approximately 1.2% of Violich Capital Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position. Violich Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $9,099,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Annex Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.6% during the third quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,380 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,624,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,348 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,499,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 84.8% during the third quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 3,274 shares of the company's stock valued at $397,000 after buying an additional 1,502 shares in the last quarter. Thomasville National Bank lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.6% in the third quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 42,466 shares of the company's stock worth $5,155,000 after purchasing an additional 679 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the third quarter valued at approximately $313,000. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on Philip Morris International from $155.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, January 16th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Philip Morris International from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $134.35.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PM traded up $1.60 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $148.17. 4,989,453 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,533,068. The firm has a market capitalization of $230.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $87.82 and a one year high of $148.53. The company's 50 day moving average is $125.98 and its 200 day moving average is $124.29.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.06. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.08% and a net margin of 9.24%. Research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 26th. Philip Morris International's dividend payout ratio is presently 119.73%.

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.