Global X Japan Co. Ltd. Has $6.58 Million Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Global X Japan Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 367.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 114,114 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 89,691 shares during the quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $6,580,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its position in Altria Group by 400.0% during the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. EMC Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 79.0% during the fourth quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gould Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter worth $39,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $64.60 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $52.82 and a 1 year high of $70.51. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $65.51 and its 200 day moving average is $62.54. The company has a market cap of $108.00 billion, a PE ratio of 15.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.45.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted 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). The company had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.02 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. Analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s payout ratio is currently 103.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Argus raised Altria Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $65.11.

Insider Activity

In other Altria Group news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 180,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,221,318.33. This represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

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.