Hayek Kallen Investment Management Purchases New Stake in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Hayek Kallen Investment Management bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 43,485 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,129,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MO. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% during the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock valued at $821,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% during the second quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 1.3% in the second quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,678,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Down 2.1%

Shares of MO opened at $67.66 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $112.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.46. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $70.11 and a 200 day moving average of $68.95. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue 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, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.11 per share. This is an increase from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 89.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.

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.