Donoghue Forlines LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Donoghue Forlines LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 124.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 55,255 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 30,662 shares during the period. Altria Group comprises 1.1% of Donoghue Forlines LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Donoghue Forlines LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,650,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Country Trust Bank lifted its stake in Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 334.7% in the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.4%

NYSE MO opened at $61.84 on Friday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $58.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.56. The firm has a market cap of $103.81 billion, a PE ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.47. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $50.08 and a 52 week high of $68.60.

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

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th were issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 80.92%.

Altria Group declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. UBS Group upgraded Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the company from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $62.56.

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.