Investors Research Corp Sells 225 Shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)

Investors Research Corp trimmed its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 2.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,144 shares of the company’s stock after selling 225 shares during the period. Investors Research Corp’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $426,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 420.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 572 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 462 shares during the period. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Promus Capital LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Trading Up 2.1 %

MO opened at $58.98 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $99.72 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.56. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $40.65 and a 1 year high of $59.67. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $53.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.16.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 258.72% and a net margin of 46.90%. Equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be paid a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.92%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 62.29%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Altria Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America raised Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $53.29.

Altria Group Profile

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.