Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Holdings Lowered by Ceera Investments LLC

Ceera Investments LLC reduced its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 3.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 45,258 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,697 shares during the quarter. Ceera Investments LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MO. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Promus Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO opened at $57.79 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $97.70 billion, a PE ratio of 8.82, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.56. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.65 and a 52 week high of $58.59. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $53.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.10.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 46.90% and a negative return on equity of 258.72%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 25th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is 62.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of 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 shares of Altria Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted 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 given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $53.29.

Altria Group Company 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.