Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) Shares Sold by Fernwood Investment Management LLC

Fernwood Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 69,357 shares of the company’s stock after selling 536 shares during the period. Altria Group accounts for approximately 1.3% of Fernwood Investment Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Fernwood Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,627,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $137,536,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Altria Group by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 59,805,286 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,127,218,000 after buying an additional 2,296,972 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 136.4% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 2,022,121 shares of the company’s stock valued at $105,737,000 after purchasing an additional 1,166,701 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 41,938,507 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,193,687,000 after acquiring an additional 1,134,748 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 49.3% during the 4th quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 3,317,662 shares of the company’s stock worth $173,481,000 after purchasing an additional 1,096,205 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $55.60 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $93.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.49, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.54. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.65 and a one year high of $60.18. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $55.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.91.

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

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 25th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.34%. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 62.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $60.00 price objective on Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three 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 $54.00.

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.