Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Stake Boosted by Ashton Thomas Securities LLC

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 12.3% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 4,305 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 470 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $226,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 420.0% in the third 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 last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Promus Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Altria Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America raised shares of Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price 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 company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $53.29.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of MO opened at $56.73 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $95.91 billion, a PE ratio of 8.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.56. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.65 and a one year high of $59.67. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $54.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.51.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. Analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.19%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 62.29%.

About Altria Group

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.