Primecap Management Co. CA Makes New $18.78 Million Investment in Altria Group, Inc. $MO

Primecap Management Co. CA bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 261,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,779,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MO. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% during the fourth quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $69.13 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $115.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.93.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company’s operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country.

Altria’s principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S.