Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Buys Shares of 266,421 Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 266,421 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $19,169,000.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MO. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% during the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the period. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Altria Group Stock Up 3.6%

NYSE:MO opened at $68.46 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $114.32 billion, a PE ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.70 and a 52-week high of $77.06. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $70.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.89.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. 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 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. UBS Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price 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.