Pittenger & Anderson Inc. Acquires 68,349 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Pittenger & Anderson Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 773.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 77,185 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 68,349 shares during the period. Pittenger & Anderson Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $5,553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its position in Altria Group by 7.1% during the fourth quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,531,000 after acquiring an additional 44,267 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 59.3% in the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 14,490 shares during the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,358,000 after purchasing an additional 50,931 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In related news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Altria Group Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE:MO opened at $65.05 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $108.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.72, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $54.70 and a 12 month high of $77.06. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.72.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released 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 net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.

About Altria Group

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.