Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Buys 45,145 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 1.4% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,333,982 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 45,145 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $220,009,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,704 shares of the company’s stock valued at $733,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 19,546 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,127,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $475,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Patten Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.0% during the first quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 4,165 shares of the company’s stock valued at $275,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Finally, Acorn Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Acorn Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,117 shares of the company’s stock valued at $583,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of MO stock opened at $71.45 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $119.32 billion, a PE ratio of 14.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.45. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $71.50 and a 200-day moving average of $66.71. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $54.70 and a one year high of $74.56.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 34.34% and a negative return on equity of 298.69%. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.560-5.72 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 88.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Citigroup lifted 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.78.

Altria Group Company 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.