Altria Group, Inc. $MO Shares Purchased by AlphaQuest LLC

AlphaQuest LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 224.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 50,493 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 34,939 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,336,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 62.5% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 16,395,070 shares of the company’s stock valued at $954,446,000 after buying an additional 6,302,819 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $126,471,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.0% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 159,717,148 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,364,216,000 after acquiring an additional 1,599,923 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Altria Group by 1,094.0% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,158,437 shares of the company’s stock worth $67,919,000 after purchasing an additional 1,061,413 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 72,367,263 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,315,438,000 after buying an additional 886,583 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Trading Down 5.3%

NYSE:MO opened at $59.78 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $100.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.47. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $50.08 and a twelve month high of $68.60. The company has a 50-day moving average of $59.01 and a 200-day moving average of $61.72.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.32 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.02 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.30 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.92%.

Trending Headlines about Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised its 2026 profit outlook, saying price increases on cigarettes and oral products should lift full‑year profit above analysts’ estimates — a key offset to volume declines. Marlboro-maker Altria forecasts 2026 profit above estimates after price hikes
• Positive Sentiment: UBS lifted its price target and kept a Buy rating, signaling some analysts view Altria’s pricing power and dividend as supportive for valuation recovery. UBS lifts Altria (MO) price target, keeps buy rating
• Positive Sentiment: Management reiterated a “progressive” dividend growth posture and highlighted capital return (buybacks) capacity — supportive for income investors. Altria aims for ‘progressive’ dividend rate growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Company released its full Q4/2025 results, slide deck and guidance documents — useful for modeling but largely reiterative of management commentary. Altria Reports 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results; Provides 2026 Earnings Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Full earnings call transcript is available for details on product volumes, on! pouch growth and FDA/strategic updates — useful for granular read‑throughs. Altria Group, Inc. (MO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: EPS of $1.30 missed consensus (~$1.32) and cigarette shipment volumes declined, which pressured smokeable revenue despite pricing — the central reason for the stock weakness. Altria Group Inc (MO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong EPS Growth Amidst Volume Declines
• Negative Sentiment: Broad coverage (AP, WSJ, Barron’s, Zacks) highlighted the profit decline driven by cigarette volume drops and called the quarter a disappointment versus expectations. Altria earnings fall short amid lower cigarette sales and competition for nicotine products
• Negative Sentiment: Company filings highlighted leverage levels in its consolidated financial statements, a reminder of balance‑sheet risk amid ongoing M&A and buybacks. Altria Files 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements Highlighting Leverage

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently commented on MO shares. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $63.00.

Altria Group Profile

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.