Panagora Asset Management Inc. Acquires 1,641,384 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 4,053.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,681,875 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,641,384 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $96,977,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. EMC Capital Management bought a new position in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on MO shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Bank of America raised their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 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, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.44.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $71.83 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $74.56. The company has a market cap of $119.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.03, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $69.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.98.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 298.69% and a net margin of 34.34%.Altria Group’s revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.23 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 88.70%.

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.