Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Receives Consensus Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) has earned an average rating of “Hold” from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $70.1111.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st.

Altria Group Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $66.08 on Thursday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $70.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.80. Altria Group has a 52 week low of $54.70 and a 52 week high of $77.06. The stock has a market cap of $110.33 billion, a PE ratio of 13.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The company had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.44 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Altria Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased 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 purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

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.