Element Capital Management LLC Has $998,000 Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Element Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 127.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,307 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,693 shares during the period. Element Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $998,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Evolve Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at $3,995,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 219.1% during the 4th quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 182,458 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,521,000 after buying an additional 125,278 shares during the last quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. boosted its stake in Altria Group by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 47,714 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,751,000 after buying an additional 2,363 shares in the last quarter. Basso Capital Management L.P. grew its position in Altria Group by 208.7% in the fourth quarter. Basso Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,315 shares of the company’s stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 1,565 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boothbay Fund Management LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 20.4% in the fourth quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC now owns 16,148 shares of the company’s stock valued at $931,000 after acquiring an additional 2,738 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Altria Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.44.

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE:MO opened at $68.91 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $74.56. The company has a market cap of $115.08 billion, a PE ratio of 14.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.46. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $69.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $65.21.

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

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 88.70%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing 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 value of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.