Sanders Morris Harris LLC Has $4.17 Million Stock Holdings in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Sanders Morris Harris LLC trimmed its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 15.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 57,955 shares of the company’s stock after selling 10,843 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up approximately 2.4% of Sanders Morris Harris LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Sanders Morris Harris LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on Altria Group in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.78.

Altria Group Price Performance

MO opened at $68.45 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $71.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.52. The firm has a market cap of $114.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.46.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (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 firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.44 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.68 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 89.45%.

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.