Stifel Nicolaus Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) Stock

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $145.00 to $160.00 in a research report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective suggests a potential upside of 10.29% from the stock’s current price.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on PM. UBS Group boosted their target price on Philip Morris International from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $155.00 to $145.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $134.35.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PM traded down $0.25 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $145.07. 1,957,499 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,309,600. The company has a market capitalization of $225.56 billion, a PE ratio of 23.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.55. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $125.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $123.61. Philip Morris International has a 52-week low of $87.82 and a 52-week high of $146.78.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.06. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 10.35% and a negative return on equity of 117.94%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International will post 6.5 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Philip Morris International

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PM. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 53.7% in the 4th quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV now owns 2,510 shares of the company’s stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Intergy Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Intergy Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,959 shares of the company’s stock valued at $236,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. BKM Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,479 shares of the company’s stock worth $298,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Detalus Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Detalus Advisors LLC now owns 3,231 shares of the company’s stock valued at $389,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.