Professional Advisory Services Inc. Takes $238,000 Position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Professional Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $238,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 53.7% in the 4th quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Pacifica Partners Inc. raised its position in Philip Morris International by 115.0% during the first quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 215 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM stock opened at $181.77 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $282.93 billion, a PE ratio of 40.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a 50-day moving average of $167.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $147.58. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $98.93 and a 1-year high of $183.94.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.10 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. Philip Morris International’s revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.50 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their target price for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Argus raised shares of Philip Morris International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $175.30.

Philip Morris International Profile

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.