Aptus Capital Advisors LLC Raises Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 292,281 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,659 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $19,311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Kercheville Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Kercheville Advisors LLC now owns 4,397 shares of the company’s stock worth $290,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR raised its position in Altria Group by 0.3% during the third quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 50,805 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,356,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.4% in the third quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 7,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $488,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Altria Group by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19,819 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,309,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE MO opened at $67.06 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $112.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.45. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $52.82 and a 1-year high of $70.51. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $63.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.64.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. The firm’s revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $64.33.

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.