Global X Japan Co. Ltd. Has $1.61 Million Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Global X Japan Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 5,527.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,423 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 23,989 shares during the quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,613,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mattson Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.2%

Altria Group stock opened at $58.72 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $59.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.71. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $50.08 and a 52 week high of $68.60. The stock has a market cap of $98.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.48.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 319.43% and a net margin of 37.89%.The business’s revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.38 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is presently 80.92%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $62.33.

About Altria Group

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.