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Altria Group remains a compelling income alternative, yielding 6.4% after its 57th consecutive annual dividend increase and robust Q2 2026 results. MO's pricing power, high margins (64.8% smokeable segment), and investment-grade balance sheet underpin reliable cash flow despite secular volume declines. MO's valuation is attractive at 12.13x forward earnings and 13x FCF, with dividend growth outpacing comparable high-yield bonds after tax.
Key Takeaways Altria's premium segment accounts for about 85% of cigarette profitability, making Marlboro a key driver.Marlboro's total cigarette share fell 1.5 points to 39.5% as discount retail share rose to 33.8%.Basic gained 2.3 points to 2.9%, while smokeable adjusted OCI rose 2.4% to $3.02 billion. Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) is keeping the cigarette strategy centered on the premium segment, which accounts for about 85% of profitability in the cigarette category. That makes Marlboro’s position especially important as cigarette consumers continue to trade down toward discount offerings amid pressure on discretionary income.
In the second quarter of 2026, Marlboro held a 59.6% share of the premium segment, unchanged from a year earlier and up 0.1 percentage point sequentially. However, Marlboro’s share of the total cigarette category fell 1.5 percentage points year over year to 39.5%. At the same time, industry discount retail share rose 2.6 percentage points to 33.8%, reflecting continued trade-down among adult nicotine consumers.
Altria is addressing the shift toward discount cigarettes through a broader PM USA portfolio strategy. Basic’s retail share increased 2.3 percentage points year over year to 2.9% in the second quarter, while targeted promotional support expanded to roughly 35,000 stores during the first half of 2026. The strategy seeks to participate in the discount segment while limiting the impact on Marlboro.
Despite the mix shift, smokeable price realization was 4.5% in the quarter, supported by strong Marlboro net pricing. Smokeable products adjusted OCI increased 2.4% to $3.02 billion, while adjusted OCI margin expanded 0.3 percentage point to 64.8%. The premium segment therefore remains central to cigarette profitability even as discount participation grows.
How Altria Compares With Philip Morris and TPBPhilip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) also showed premium-brand resilience in second-quarter 2026. While international combustible pricing rose 10%, Philip Morris’ Marlboro share reached a record 11% of the international cigarette category, up 0.3 percentage points year over year. Philip Morris also maintained a 25.3% cigarette category share, with international combustible gross profit increasing 8% organically in the quarter despite unfavorable geographic mix.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB - Free Report) is also leaning on premium positioning across nicotine products. While Modern Oral investments focus on shelf placement, retail visibility and brand equity to build long-term premium potential, Turning Point Brands described Stoker’s as the segment’s only truly premium product for value-oriented consumers. Turning Point Brands reported Stoker’s segment net sales up 54.5%, with adjusted gross profit rising 40.7% year over year.
Altria’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Altria have fallen 3.4% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 2.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.90X, down from the industry’s average of 14.92X.
Altria (MO - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $68.17, moving -1.03% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.58% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 1.18%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.32%.
The owner of Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette maker's shares have seen an increase of 5.1% over the last month, surpassing the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 0.95% and the S&P 500's loss of 0.36%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Altria in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on October 29, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.5, showcasing a 3.45% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $5.33 billion, indicating a 1.49% upward movement from the same quarter last year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $5.67 per share and a revenue of $20.61 billion, demonstrating changes of +4.61% and +2.35%, respectively, from the preceding year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Altria. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Altria presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note Altria's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 12.14. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 14.34, so one might conclude that Altria is trading at a discount comparatively.
Also, we should mention that MO has a PEG ratio of 2.44. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Tobacco industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 2.01 as of yesterday's close.
The Tobacco industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 237, placing it within the bottom 4% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Altria remains attractively valued with a high 6.45% dividend yield and a constructive technical setup, despite recent volatility. MO's Q2 results were mixed, but management raised the lower end of FY 2026 EPS guidance and announced a dividend hike. The new manufacturing agreement with Philip Morris leverages MO's production capacity and could optimize import/export operations starting in 2027.
Burford Brothers Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 19.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 32,891 shares of the company’s stock after selling 7,933 shares during the quarter. Altria Group accounts for about 0.9% of Burford Brothers Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Burford Brothers Inc.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MO. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund increased its position in Altria Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,531,000 after buying an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 59.3% in the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 14,490 shares in the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,358,000 after acquiring an additional 50,931 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Altria Group Price Performance Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $69.57 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $116.16 billion, a PE ratio of 14.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.45. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $69.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $69.07. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. Altria Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year. Altria Group Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $1.11 per share. This is an increase from Altria Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Altria Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 89.45%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently commented on MO shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on MO
Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report)
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.
See Also Five stocks we like better than Altria Group The Path to $230 Billion: Broadcom Outlines the Next Phase of Its AI Growth Story NVIDIA’s Hugging Face Deal Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Moat Now Dropping the Dough: Yum! Brands Strategically Trims the Fat These 3 Stock Charts Just Flashed the Dreaded Death Cross Pattern Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report).
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Altria just handed shareholders a bigger check for the 60th time in 56 years, but negative operating cash flow last quarter and a vape unit bleeding billions in impairments raise a real question about whether the streak has a price.
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Altria just wrote another check to shareholders, and it’s a bigger one. Altria (NYSE:MO | MO Price Prediction) declared a $1.11 per share quarterly dividend with an ex-dividend date of September 15, 2026 and a payment date of October 9, 2026. That is a raise from the prior $1.06 quarterly rate, pushing the annualized forward payout to $4.44. Against a current share price of $69.85, the forward yield sits near 6.4%. The question this scorecard tackles: does the cash actually support the check?
Why the Dividend Earns High Marks Altria just logged its 60th dividend increase in the past 56 years, putting it firmly in Dividend King territory (we ranked ten of them by valuation in a free report here: 10 Dividend Kings to Buy Now and Hold Forever), and management called out that $3.6 billion was paid in dividends in the first half of 2026 alone. Coverage looks solid at the annual level. For fiscal 2025, operating cash flow was $9.29 billion against dividend payouts of $6.96 billion, a roughly 75% cash payout that leaves room for the $335 million spent on buybacks in the first half.
The core smokable business is still a cash machine powering this dividend. Adjusted smokable OCI margins ran 64.9% in the first half, price realization hit 4.5% in Q2, and Marlboro’s premium share held steady at 59.6%. Debt-to-EBITDA at 1.9 times sits right at management’s roughly 2x target.
Cracks in the Cash Machine Domestic cigarette shipments fell 10.0% in full-year 2025, and even after adjusting for trade inventories, Q2 2026 volumes still declined 4.5%. Marlboro’s total retail share slipped 1.5 share points year over year. The next-generation bets have bruises: NJOY absorbed $2.2 billion in non-cash impairments, and oral tobacco adjusted OCI fell 8% in Q2 as on! pouch investment ramped.
Operating cash flow was negative $51 million in Q2 2026 against a $1.54 billion dividend payout. That pattern (weak Q2 operating cash flow) has now happened in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026, so timing rather than solvency is the likely explanation. Still, negative stockholders’ equity of negative $3.2 billion is a real balance-sheet flag.
Final Grade: B Full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.61 to $5.72 comfortably covers the $4.44 annualized dividend, and management flagged the payout as its “primary vehicle” for shareholder returns. The 6% yield is real, the streak is real, and cash coverage works today. The B, rather than an A, reflects a shrinking core, an impairment-scarred vape unit, and a pouch business still spending to defend share. Income investors get paid well while management races the volume clock.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Chris Lange
Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics. Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications. A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.
Marlboro-maker Altria (MO.N) on Wednesday sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, seeking to force the agency to overhaul a product review process that tobacco companies say has stifled their growth in the key U.S. market, a legal filing showed.
Under U.S. law, the FDA must review new tobacco products before they can be sold, assessing whether they provide a net public health benefit, such as helping smokers quit, without creating significant risk of new addiction among young people.
But the system has been plagued by a huge backlog of applications and a booming illegal market of products sold without FDA authorisation.
Altria's lawsuit marks the latest industry challenge to a regime that has become one of the biggest obstacles facing tobacco companies in the $22 billion U.S. market. It follows an extensive lobbying campaign targeting President Donald Trump.
Filed in the federal court in Lubbock, Texas, Altria's complaint said the FDA's approach had buried products such as its On! nicotine pouches in regulatory red tape, while allowing foreign competitors that ignored the rules to gain market share.
The plaintiffs, including two Altria subsidiaries and the Texas Food and Fuel Association, asked the court to set aside the current system and require the FDA to develop a new one.
Their arguments included that the FDA's approach violates a legal requirement that the agency decide on applications within 180 days of receiving them, a deadline Altria's complaint said the FDA has never met.
An FDA official said the agency was committed to facilitating access to less harmful alternatives for adult smokers, while protecting young people from the dangers of nicotine addiction and toxic exposure.
"FDA takes seriously this legal challenge ... and will carefully review the issues raised," the official said.
SOME APPLICATIONS DELAYED FOR YEARS
The agency has rejected tens of millions of applications for products such as vapes and nicotine pouches. Others have been under review for more than six years, hurting sales and market share at companies including Altria, Philip Morris International (PM.N) and British American Tobacco (BATS.L).
Tobacco companies have responded with lawsuits, threats to launch products without FDA permission and intensive lobbying of the Trump administration, aided by meetings, millions of dollars in donations to Trump's campaign, inauguration and White House ballroom project, and influential connections in Washington.
Those efforts have helped secure changes including the first marketing authorisations for flavoured vapes, a fast-track pathway for nicotine pouches and a plan under which the FDA would not prioritise enforcement against companies launching certain vapes or nicotine pouches without agency approval.
Altria's complaint argued that some of the FDA's recent changes bolster its case. Applications for Altria nicotine pouches in the fast-track programme, for example, remained under review despite the agency's target of deciding them by December 2025, the complaint said.
A company spokesperson said it filed the complaint ahead of a statutory time limit, in order to fix a system that has been "broken for a long time".
A Dividend King is a stock that has raised its dividend payout for 50 consecutive years or more. Very few companies can boast this enduring accomplishment. One of them is Altria Group (MO +1.59%). The tobacco/nicotine giant has raised its dividend for 57 straight years, and 61 times in total, due to the durability of cash flows generated by its cigarette business.
It now trades at a dividend yielding 6.18%. That means, if you have $10,000 invested in Altria Group stock, you will receive a cool $618 in dividends each year.
But does that make Altria Group stock a buy?
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Dividend growth math The tobacco business has been fantastic due to its extraordinary pricing power through the decades. Packs of cigarettes -- along with other types of nicotine products -- have grown steadily above the rate of inflation, leading to growing cash flows for companies like Altria and its Marlboro brand.
This has allowed management to steadily grow its dividend per share payout to shareholders. In the last 10 years, Altria's dividend has grown by 74% cumulatively. For long-term shareholders, this can deliver growing income into your portfolio. An investor who bought at a 6.18% dividend yield 10 years ago would now be receiving $1,075 in annual dividend income.
Dividend growth like this has helped Altria Group outperform the stock indices. In the last five years, it has generated a total return of 104%, beating the S&P 500's 82%.
Image source: Getty Images.
A business struggling to grow Where Altria Group could run into struggles is its failure to pivot away from smokeable tobacco products like Marlboro or Black and Mild. Cigarette volumes were down 3.2% year over year last quarter and are expected to decline in the future.
Other tobacco giants have worked to replace their cigarette cash flows with healthier alternatives, such as nicotine pouches or electronic vapor. Altria Group is failing to make a dent with its new offerings, such as its on! nicotine pouch brand. Volumes for on! were down 4.2% year over year last quarter, despite a growing overall nicotine pouch category in the United States, and that is with minimal overall market share already.
Unless management can spring a miracle in new nicotine categories, the future of Altria's dividend payments will be from its legacy cigarette business. Specifically, its ability to keep raising prices on cigarette packs sold.
MO PE Ratio data by YCharts
Is Altria Group still a buy? Where Altria helps itself with dividend growth sustainability is its steady stock repurchase program. It has reduced shares outstanding by 14.4% cumulatively over the last 10 years through these buybacks, which will help grow earnings per share (EPS).
Importantly, for the dividend, a lower total number of outstanding shares will mean that Altria can raise its per-share dividend without increasing the total dollar amount paid to shareholders. This is important for a business whose overall revenue has barely budged in the last five years. You are not buying Altria Group for its growth, but its return of capital to shareholders.
The stock has done well in the last year, with the share price now at $69. It has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 14.5, which is generally higher than it has been in the last few years, but still, it has one of the fattest dividend yields of the entire market today. What investors need to decide is whether the long history of price hikes and dividend growth can continue for the next decade as well.
I don't think Altria Group stock is a screaming buy right now, but investors will probably do just fine buying today for long-term dividend income, despite the decline in its cigarette business.
Key Takeaways Altria's on! PLUS drove a sequential retail share gain as nicotine pouches expanded their category presence.on! PLUS reached about 120,000 stores, while early repeat purchase rates were encouraging.New strengths and flavors are planned for the second half of 2026, broadening the on! PLUS portfolio. Altria Group, Inc.’s (MO - Free Report) on! PLUS is gaining early traction within its oral nicotine portfolio as the U.S. nicotine pouch category expands. In the second quarter of 2026, nicotine pouches represented 59.9% of the oral tobacco category, up 8.1 share points year over year. on! retail share reached 8.6%, rising 0.8 share points sequentially and 0.3 points from a year earlier, with the sequential increase driven by on! PLUS.
The product has also gained broad retail reach. Helix expanded on! PLUS to about 120,000 stores nationwide. Early data indicated that the product was resonating with existing on! users and consumers of competing nicotine pouch brands. Repeat purchase rates were encouraging, suggesting consumers valued the differentiated experience of the NICOSILK soft pouch. A new retail trade program also secured premium visibility and incremental fixture space for the product.
on! shipments were 49.9 million cans in the second quarter, down 4.2% due to trade inventory movements. However, first-half shipments increased 5.1%, reflecting the early impact of the on! PLUS national expansion.
The portfolio is set to broaden further. The 12-milligram version is planned for national expansion in the third quarter, while Blueberry Mint and Mango Pineapple extensions across 6, 9 and 12-milligram strengths are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter. These additions will expand the on! PLUS offering, while introductory trial investments continue to accompany the rollout.
MO’s Nicotine Pouch Momentum Faces Growing Peer CompetitionPhilip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) is strengthening its U.S. nicotine pouch position through ZYN. In the second quarter of 2026, ZYN shipments rose 1.8% to 2.9 billion pouches, while offtake was flat to slightly higher year over year. Philip Morris also launched 9 and 11-milligram ZYN ULTRA moist variants. In the third quarter, Philip Morris plans 1.5- and 8-milligram dry variants and higher U.S. investment.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB - Free Report) is also building momentum in nicotine pouches through FRE and ALP. In the second quarter of 2026, Modern Oral net sales surged 128% to $68.4 million and represented 48% of total company net sales. Turning Point Brands is expanding retail distribution, with chain-store count expected to rise 70% year over year by 2026-end. To support its Modern Oral brands, Turning Point Brands is also investing in sales and marketing.
Altria’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Altria have fallen 1.1% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 6.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.83X, down from the industry’s average of 15.40X.
A single stock trading around $69 a share could theoretically close the gap between a retiree's Social Security check and a comfortable monthly budget, but the math only works if the dividend holds and three hidden risks stay manageable.
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A 72-year-old who needs an extra $1,400 a month in dividend income is aiming for $16,800 a year. That gap between Social Security and a comfortable retirement budget is common, and it is small enough that a single high-yield stock can theoretically cover it. Altria (NYSE:MO | MO Price Prediction) is the name most income investors reach for when they run this math.
At a recent share price of $69 and a forward annualized dividend of $4.44 per share, Altria yields roughly 6.3%. To generate $16,800 in annual income at the trailing $4.24 payout, an investor needs about 3,962 shares, or roughly $250,000 at today’s price. That capital figure is close enough to the setup we sketched in a free guide on turning $250K into $1,500 a month that Altria naturally shows up as the single-stock version of the same problem.
Why Altria Anchors the Income Case Management announced its 60th dividend increase in the past 56 years in August 2025, a 4% raise that pushed the quarterly payout to $1.06, then to $1.11 in the September 2026 quarter. The company paid $7.0 billion in dividends during full-year 2025 and another $1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026.
The payout ratio is what matters. With 2025 adjusted EPS of $5.42 and 2026 guidance of $5.56 to $5.72, the $4.24 dividend consumes roughly three-quarters of earnings. That is high but manageable given Altria’s cash generation. CFO Heather Newman told analysts the company returned “nearly $3.9 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases combined” in the first half of 2026.
The risk is on the volume side. Domestic cigarette shipments fell 10% for the full year 2025, Marlboro retail share slipped to 40%, and Altria carries negative shareholders’ equity of ($3.2 billion) after $2.2 billion in NJOY impairments in 2025. Management is guiding to mid-single-digit annual dividend-per-share growth through 2028, but the boardroom keeps that decision year to year.
Three Ways to Build the $16,800 Check Conservative tier (3% to 4%): Broad-market dividend growth funds, blue-chip consumer staples, and dividend aristocrats live here. At a 3.5% yield, $16,800 divided by 0.035 requires $480,000 in capital. The tradeoff is capital intensity in exchange for rising payouts, principal appreciation, and the lowest odds of a dividend cut. The 10-year Treasury yield at 5% sits at the top of this tier: government backing with no growth.
Moderate tier (5% to 7%): This is Altria’s neighborhood: REITs, preferred shares, midstream energy, high-dividend equity funds, and covered-call ETFs. At 6%, $16,800 divided by 0.06 requires $280,000. Altria specifically clears the check at roughly $268,000 given its 6.3% yield. Dividend growth slows, and single-name concentration adds business risk that a diversified index does not carry.
Aggressive tier (8% to 14%): Business development companies, mortgage REITs, leveraged covered-call funds, and high-yield bond funds. At 10%, $16,800 divided by 0.10 requires just $168,000. Principal erosion is the norm, not the exception. The investor is spending down the asset while it pays, and distributions get cut when credit cycles turn.
Growth Math Most Retirees Underweight Look at what has happened over time. Altria’s quarterly dividend went from $0.32 back in 2009 to $1.11 in 2026. So a retiree who put $250,000 into that stock fifteen years ago is now collecting income that has more than tripled per share. Meanwhile, a high-yield fund from that same period that paid 10% is probably still paying around the same nominal amount, or possibly less, because the net asset value tends to drift lower over time. A 3.5% yield growing at 8% annually will double your income in about nine years. A flat 12% yield with no growth stays put, then starts to decline as the principal erodes.
What to Do Before Committing $250,000 Model actual spending, not salary replacement. A 72-year-old on Social Security often needs to replace far less than working-age income. Recalculate the target before sizing the position. Stress-test the payout ratio. Compare Altria’s dividend against 2026 guidance of $5.56 to $5.72 in adjusted EPS. Anything above 80% deserves a blended approach rather than a single-stock bet. Blend the tiers. Pair Altria’s 6% class yield with a 3.5% dividend-growth core. The blend keeps the current check near $1,400 and gives the portfolio a shot at inflation-beating raises through 2035. Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Brandywine Trust Co. bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 30,814 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,217,000. Altria Group makes up about 0.4% of Brandywine Trust Co.’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,531,000 after purchasing an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 59.3% in the 1st quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 14,490 shares in the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,358,000 after purchasing an additional 50,931 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of MO opened at $68.46 on Tuesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $70.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.89. The company has a market capitalization of $114.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The firm’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Barclays decreased their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.
Check Out Our Latest Report on MO
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
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Key Takeaways MO's PM manufacturing deal aims to improve efficiency and generate benefits for future investment.MO and PM will remain independent, retaining control of commercialization, distribution and regulation.Altria says the arrangement supports its 2028 Enterprise Goals and could aid international nicotine efforts. Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) continues to focus on improving the efficiency of its traditional tobacco operations as cigarette volumes remain under pressure and investment priorities evolve. As part of this effort, Altria’s Philip Morris USA business is working with overseas affiliates of Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) under a new contract manufacturing arrangement. The agreement is designed to enhance PM USA’s operational efficiency while generating benefits that can support future investment.
Altria and PM will continue to operate independently under the arrangement, with each retaining responsibility for its own commercialization, distribution and regulatory activities. The agreement therefore appears centered on improving manufacturing efficiency rather than signaling any broader integration between the two tobacco companies. The initiative also supports Altria’s 2028 Enterprise Goals by strengthening operational capabilities and creating economic benefits that can help fund its broader Vision. Certain capabilities developed through the arrangement could also be transferable to Altria’s international nicotine efforts.
This move comes as Altria works to preserve profitability amid continued cigarette volume pressure. In the second quarter of 2026, smokeable-products adjusted operating companies income rose 2.4% to $3.02 billion, while margin expanded 30 basis points to 64.8%. Domestic cigarette shipment volume declined 3.2%. Against this backdrop, the PM arrangement could provide another efficiency lever for Altria’s core tobacco operations over time, while generating economic benefits that can support investment in its broader Vision.
What Do the Latest Metrics Say About Altria?Altria, which competes with Philip Morris and Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB - Free Report) , has seen its shares fall 7.4% in the past three months, underperforming the industry’s 3% decline. Shares of Philip Morris have risen 1.3%, while Turning Point Brands has declined 7.3% during the same period.
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From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84X, down from the industry’s average of 15.16X. The company is also trading at a discount to Philip Morris (with a forward price-to-sales ratio of 21.58) and Turning Point Brands (37.2).
The Social Security trust fund has a ticking clock, and the youngest Boomers face a decision that could define their retirement. Five dividend giants paying above 6% may hold the answer to beating the math of claiming early.
Numerous studies indicate that the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund is projected to run out of reserves in late 2032; while the program is not expected to go bankrupt or disappear, current taxpayers will still fund a large portion of the payments. Some project that payments could fall to 78% of a recipient’s current payment. That means every $1,000 in payments could be cut to $780 if Congress does not intervene. The Social Security Administration says that if combined with the Disability Insurance trust fund, the depletion date is extended to 2034, when 83% of benefits would remain payable. The bottom line is that Congress will likely wait until the bitter end to fix things, as it has in the past.
For the youngest Baby Boomers, those born in 1964, it may make sense to claim Social Security at 62 before they end your ability to do so. While your payments could be up to 30% lower than waiting until full retirement age of 67, you will receive five full years of payments, and for high-income earners, that will still be significant. Plus, when you place that money in five high-yield dividend giants and reinvest the dividends, you will likely earn more than enough to cover the difference between the payment at 62 and the payment at 67.
Here are our five high-yield dividend giants. All pay at least a 6% dividend and have paid and raised their dividends for decades, in some cases, 50 years. This is not a plan for those who will need Social Security as their sole retirement income, and there are rules about how much you can earn when you receive Social Security early. Your tax advisor can help with that. But if you have a sizable nest egg and are generating passive income from investments or real estate, this is a plan to consider, as passive income does not count against what you can earn when you take Social Security at 62. All five of our high-yield dividend giants are rated Buy at top Wall Street firms that we cover.
Altria Altria (NYSE:MO | MO Price Prediction) is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. This tobacco stock offers value investors a solid entry point and a 6.42% dividend. Altria manufactures and sells smokable and oral tobacco products in the United States primarily to wholesalers, including distributors and large retail organizations, such as chain stores.
The company operates in a highly inelastic industry. This means that consumer demand remains consistent regardless of broader economic downturns, allowing Altria to generate robust cash flow and cover its large payout continuously. Plus, Anheuser-Busch is the largest brewing company in the United States, and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD), is the largest brewing company in the world.
Kiplinger notes that after it was removed in 2008, shareholders who held through the transition saw their shares surge by more than 150% in the years following, excluding dividends.
The company primarily sells cigarettes under the Marlboro brand, as well as:
Cigars and pipe tobacco, principally under the Black & Mild and Middleton brands Moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands on! Oral nicotine pouches e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand Altria used to own over 10% of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer. In March of 2024, the company sold 35 million of its 197 million shares through a global secondary offering. That represents 18% of its holdings but still leaves 8% of the outstanding shares in its back pocket. Altria also announced a $2.4 billion stock repurchase plan partially funded by the sale.
Altria increased its quarterly dividend in the fall of 2025 by 3.9%, from $1.02 to $1.06 per share, marking its 57th consecutive dividend increase.
UBS has a Buy rating with a $79 target price.
Ares Capital The company specializes in providing financing solutions for the middle market, and with 7 analysts rating it a Buy and a 9.71% dividend yield, it’s a solid idea now. This company is a high-yielding business development company (BDC). Ares Capital (NASDAQ:ARCC) specializes in acquisitions, recapitalizations, mezzanine debt, restructurings, rescue financing, and leveraged buyout transactions for middle-market companies.
Widely considered one of the highest-quality BDCs due to its massive scale and defensive track record through multiple economic cycles, the company has a long history of regular payouts and supplemental distributions since its 2004 market entry and is America’s largest publicly traded BDC. It also provides growth capital and general refinancing. It prefers to invest in companies in basic and growth manufacturing, business services, consumer products, healthcare products and services, and information technology.
The fund will also consider investments in industries such as:
Restaurants Retail Oil and gas Technology It focuses on investments in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest regions from its New York office; the Midwest region from its Chicago office; and the Western region from its Los Angeles office.
The fund typically invests between $20 million and $200 million, with a maximum of $400 million, in companies with annual EBITDA between $10 million and $250 million. It makes debt investments between $10 million and $100 million. The fund invests through:
Revolvers First-lien loans Warrants Unitranche structures Second-lien loans Mezzanine debt Private high yield Junior Capital Subordinated debt Non-control preferred and common equity The fund also selectively considers third-party-led senior and subordinated debt financings and opportunistically acquires stressed and discounted debt positions.
Ares Capital prefers to act as an agent and lead transactions in which it invests. The fund also seeks board representation in its portfolio companies.
Truist Financial has a Buy rating with a $21 price target.
Energy Transfer Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) is one of North America’s largest and most diversified midstream energy companies. This top master limited partnership is a solid option for investors seeking energy exposure and income, paying a 6.35% distribution yield. Energy Transfer owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with a strategic footprint across all major domestic production basins. The company relies primarily on volume-based tolling fees rather than the actual spot price of oil or gas, so its revenue stream is insulated from daily commodity market pricing and volatility.
Core operations include:
Complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate, and interstate transportation and storage assets Crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL), and refined product transportation and terminalling assets NGL fractionation Various acquisition and marketing assets Following the acquisition of Enable Partners in December 2021, Energy Transfer owns and operates over 114,000 miles of pipelines and related assets in 41 states, spanning all major U.S. producing regions and markets. This further solidifies its leadership position in the midstream sector.
Through its ownership of Energy Transfer Operating, formerly known as Energy Transfer Partners, the company also owns Lake Charles LNG; the general partner interests, the incentive distribution rights, and 28.5 million standard units of Sunoco (NYSE:SUN), and the public partner interests and 39.7 million standard units of USA Compression Partners (NYSE:USAC).
Truist Financial has a Buy rating with a $25 price objective.
General Mills With products that never go out of style and a strong 6.42% dividend yield, General Mills (NYSE:GIS) is a rebound story that will reward patient investors. This global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods trades at a cheap 11.4 times estimated 2026 earnings with a resilient 58% payout ratio.
Its segments include:
North America Retail International North America Pet North America Foodservice The North America Retail segment includes grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar, and discount chains, convenience stores, and e-commerce grocery providers. The International segment consists of retail and foodservice businesses outside the United States and Canada. Its product categories include super-premium ice cream and frozen desserts, meal kits, salty snacks, snack bars, dessert and baking mixes, and shelf-stable vegetables.
The North America Pet segment includes pet food products sold in the United States and Canada in national pet superstore chains, e-commerce retailers, and grocery stores. And the North America Foodservice segment product categories include ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, and baking mixes.
Piper Sandler has an Overweight rating, with a $41 target price.
UPS The delivery giant announced last year that it would cut its shipping volume for e-commerce giant Amazon by more than 50% by the second half of 2026. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) remains one of the best ideas among the top dividend picks, with a dividend yield now at 6.43%. The package delivery company faced headwinds from discontinuing its Amazon business and from expectations of slower economic growth. The company said the move is part of UPS’s broader strategy to focus on more profitable, less risky business segments.
While UPS has never trimmed its dividend since listing in 1999, that track record offers reassurance rather than a guarantee, and while growth may pause, a cut remains off the table for now.
UPS provides integrated logistics solutions to customers in more than 200 countries and territories. Its segments include:
U.S. Domestic Package International Package The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers a range of domestic air and ground package transportation services within the United States. Its air portfolio offers time-definite, same-day, next-day, two-day, and three-day delivery alternatives as well as air cargo services. UPS’s ground network enables customers to ship using its day-definite ground service. UPS SurePost provides residential ground service for customers with non-urgent, lightweight residential shipments.
The International Package segment comprises its small package operations in Europe, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Africa, Canada, Latin America, and Asia. It offers a selection of guaranteed day- and time-definite international shipping services. Its supply chain solutions include forwarding, logistics, and other services.
Stephens has an Overweight rating and a $130 target price.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 44,004 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,174,000.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in Altria Group by 5.8% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock valued at $191,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% in the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $821,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% in the second quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,678,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
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 – Get Free Report) 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 Several research analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Barclays lowered their target price on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.
View Our Latest Stock Report on MO
Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report)
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.
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Key Takeaways Philip Morris gets about 42% of quarterly net revenues from smoke-free products across 109 markets.Altria's cigarette brands held 45.5% U.S. retail share, while domestic cigarette volumes fell 3.2%.PM's smoke-free growth is led by IQOS, ZYN and VEEV, despite regulatory and regional challenges. Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) and Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) are two of the most prominent names in the tobacco industry, a mature but highly profitable sector undergoing a major shift as cigarette consumption declines and consumers increasingly adopt smoke-free nicotine products. Altria is primarily focused on the U.S. market, with businesses spanning cigarettes, cigars, oral tobacco, nicotine pouches and e-vapor products.
Philip Morris, meanwhile, has a broad global footprint and sells both traditional cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and e-vapor offerings. Smoke-free products now account for a substantial share of PM’s revenues, highlighting how aggressively it is transforming the business. For investors, this face-off centers on which tobacco giant is better positioned to balance resilient legacy cash flows with growth in next-generation nicotine products.
Let's discuss in detail.
The Case for Altria StockAltria’s market position remains anchored by scale in U.S. nicotine, led by Marlboro and a broad smokeable portfolio. Its cigarette brands held 45.5% retail share in the second quarter of 2026, while Marlboro commanded 59.6% of the premium segment. Smokeable adjusted OCI reached $3 billion, with a 64.8% margin, and remained a key contributor to first-half earnings for the company.
The company is using a total-portfolio revenue growth management strategy to defend profitability across adult nicotine consumer segments. Marlboro remains the premium anchor, Cowboy Cut targets value-sensitive premium smokers and Basic addresses discount demand without accelerating growth in the discount category. The approach relies on data analytics and targeted promotions, including support in roughly 35,000 stores, to balance share retention with brand economics.
Altria is also expanding the smoke-free portfolio through Helix and on!, while its Oral Tobacco Products segment held 29% retail share in the second quarter. on! PLUS reached about 120,000 stores and supported sequential share gains, backed by premium retail visibility, live events, paid social media and trial programs. Innovation spans higher strengths, new flavors and NICOSILK soft-pouch technology.
However, challenges remain concentrated in category decline, consumer pressure and regulatory execution. Domestic cigarette volumes fell 3.2% in the second quarter, while Marlboro’s total-category share declined as discount demand increased. Oral tobacco volumes also weakened, while illicit e-vapor products remained prevalent. Management continues to emphasize pricing, targeted portfolio investments, smoke-free innovation and enforcement against illicit products.
The Case for Philip Morris StockPhilip Morris combines global cigarette scale with a rapidly expanding smoke-free franchise. In the second quarter of 2026, its international cigarette category share held at 25.3%, while Marlboro matched a record 11% share. Smoke-free products represented about 42% of quarterly net revenues, highlighting the growing contribution of next-generation products alongside its established combustible tobacco business worldwide.
The company’s strategy centers on a multicategory smoke-free platform led by IQOS, ZYN and VEEV. Smoke-free products were available in 109 markets, while international smoke-free revenues rose 11.8% organically. Growth was supported by IQOS, expanding VEEV adoption and broader ZYN availability, giving PM multiple formats to address evolving preferences among key legal-age nicotine consumers across geographies.
Brand positioning is increasingly supported by portfolio segmentation and product innovation. ZYN held roughly 57% U.S. nicotine-pouch retail value share, while ZYN ULTRA and additional planned strength variants are broadening its ability to address consumer preferences. VEEV became Europe’s leading closed-pod brand and IQOS continued expanding through tiered consumables, new devices and technology-led offerings that deepen engagement with legal-age adult users.
However, challenges remain across regulation, category transitions and uneven regional performance. U.S. net revenues declined 0.7% year over year in the quarter, while ZYN faced competitive gaps in higher-strength and flavor segments. Flavor bans disrupted IQOS growth in parts of Europe, Japan faced excise-driven volatility and PM continues balancing investment requirements with shifting cigarette demand and regulatory uncertainty.
MO vs. PM: How Do Estimates Stack Up?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Altria’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved down 3 cents over the past 30 days to $5.67 and $5.84, respectively. The consensus estimate for MO’s 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of around 4.6% and 3%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Philip Morris’ 2026 and 2027 EPS has remained unchanged in the past 30 days to $8.33 and $9.16, respectively. The consensus mark for PM for 2026 and 2027 EPS implies year-over-year growth of 10.5% and 10%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MO & PM: A Look at Past-Year Stock PerformanceOver the past year, Altria’s shares have climbed 4.1%, trailing both Philip Morris and the industry, which gained 18.2% and 9.7%, respectively, over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MO vs. PM: A Peek Into Stock ValuationAltria is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.95, above its one-year median of 11.78. In comparison, Philip Morris trades at a forward P/E of 21.87, also above its one-year median of 20.00.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MO vs. PM: Which Stock Looks More Promising Now?Among the two tobacco giants, Philip Morris appears better placed for growth, supported by its global scale, expanding smoke-free portfolio and stronger earnings outlook. Its leadership across IQOS, ZYN and VEEV also provides broader exposure to evolving nicotine preferences. Altria remains supported by Marlboro’s U.S. strength, pricing power and disciplined portfolio management. For investors prioritizing long-term growth and industry transformation, PM appears better positioned, while Altria remains a compelling choice for stability and income.
Both MO and PM currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) (NYSE: MO) today announced that our Board of Directors voted to increase our regular quarterly dividend by 4.7% to $1.11 per share versus the previous rate of $1.06 per share. The quarterly dividend is payable on October 9, 2026 to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2026.
The new annualized dividend rate is $4.44 per share, representing a dividend yield of 6.4% based on our closing stock price of $69.12 on August 26, 2026.
Today’s dividend increase is consistent with our progressive dividend goal that targets mid-single digits dividend per share growth annually through 2028. This increase marks the 61st dividend increase in the past 57 years.
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) is pleased to announce that Steven W. Presley joined our Board of Directors (Board) on August 27, 2026.
Mr. Presley is Chief Executive Officer of Refresco Benelux B.V., a global independent beverage solutions provider, a position he has held since August 2025. Mr. Presley previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Zone Americas, Nestlé S.A., a global food and beverage company, from October 2024 to April 2025, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Zone North America, Nestlé S.A., from January 2021 to October 2024. Mr. Presley served in a variety of other senior roles since joining Nestlé USA in 1997, including as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Transformation Officer.
Mr. Presley will serve as a member of the Board’s Compensation and Talent Development, Innovation and Finance Committees.
Altria’s Profile
We have a leading portfolio of nicotine products for U.S. nicotine consumers age 21+. We are Moving Beyond Smoking® by responsibly transitioning adult smokers to a smoke-free future, competing vigorously for existing smoke-free adult nicotine consumers and exploring new growth opportunities — beyond the U.S. and beyond nicotine (Vision). To achieve our Vision, we will pursue initiatives designed to promote the long-term welfare of our company, our stakeholders, society at large and the environment.
Our wholly owned subsidiaries include leading manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products. In combustibles, we own Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), the most profitable U.S. cigarette manufacturer, and John Middleton Co. (Middleton), a leading U.S. cigar manufacturer. Our smoke-free portfolio includes ownership of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), the leading global moist smokeless tobacco (MST) manufacturer, Helix Innovations LLC (Helix), a leading manufacturer of oral nicotine pouches, and NJOY, LLC (NJOY), an e-vapor manufacturer with products covered by marketing granted orders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Additionally, we have a majority-owned joint venture, Horizon Innovations LLC (Horizon), for the U.S. marketing and commercialization of heated tobacco stick products.
Our equity investments include Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (ABI), the world’s largest brewer, and Cronos Group Inc. (Cronos), a leading Canadian cannabinoid company.
The brand portfolios of our operating companies include Marlboro®, Black & Mild®, Copenhagen®, Skoal®, on!® and NJOY®. Trademarks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of Altria or our subsidiaries or are used with permission.
Learn more about Altria at www.altria.com and follow us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827317998/en/
Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the marketing of three new 'JUUL2' e-cigarette products, the latest in a series of approvals for nicotine products the agency says may offer a lower-risk alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Here are some details:
The FDA authorized Juul Labs to market a tobacco-flavored pod, a menthol-flavored pod and the JUUL2 device, through the agency's premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) process.
The agency said its review found a substantial share of adult smokers switched from combustible cigarettes to the authorized products, with the menthol pod outperforming the tobacco pod.
"The added benefit to adults who smoke cigarettes is sufficient to outweigh the risks of the menthol-flavored product, including youth appeal," FDA said.
Last year, FDA had cleared Juul's e-cigarette device and tobacco- and menthol-flavored refill pods in 3% and 5% nicotine concentrations.
Juul, once a dominant player in the U.S. vaping market, saw its fortunes decline when its flavored products drew scrutiny for their popularity among teenagers, leading to a federal marketing ban in 2022, which was stayed and subsequently rescinded in 2024.
"We will build on the JUUL2 platform with a robust series of FDA filings, including products with a 5% nicotine concentration and a portfolio of flavored varieties," Juul Labs CEO K.C. Crosthwaite said.
The pods cleared on Friday contain roughly 1.5% to 1.6% nicotine, the FDA said, bringing the total number of authorized e-cigarette products to 48.
The decision comes days after the agency authorized Philip Morris' ZYN Ultra nicotine pouches.
The privately held vapor company said its updated vaping device, the Juul2, offers what it's calling a more consistent vapor and nicotine delivery experience, and is designed to compete effectively with combustible cigarettes.
Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 551,837 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $39,705,000.
Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 65,516,916 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,777,931,000 after buying an additional 6,265,780 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 3,691.2% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 3,606,561 shares of the company’s stock worth $259,492,000 after buying an additional 3,511,430 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 286.7% during the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 4,479,699 shares of the company’s stock worth $295,929,000 after buying an additional 3,321,262 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 160,980,626 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,282,143,000 after buying an additional 1,903,530 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia raised its holdings in Altria Group by 301.4% in the fourth quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 2,416,142 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,315,000 after acquiring an additional 1,814,224 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $70.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.86.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.Altria Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Barclays dropped their price objective 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. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.
View Our Latest Research Report on MO
Altria Group Profile (Free Report)
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.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Altria Group VIG, VYM, and VYMI: Which Vanguard Dividend ETF Is Right for You? 3 Closed-End Funds to Maximize Dividend Payments Rocket Lab’s Sell-Off Is Fading—Is It Finally Safe to Buy? $27 Billion in Buybacks: 3 Stocks Betting Their Strong Runs Aren’t Over
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Callan Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 40,461 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,911,000.
A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in Altria Group by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 668,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,531,000 after buying an additional 44,267 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 59.3% during the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 38,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after buying an additional 14,490 shares in the last quarter. Rayburn West Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth $2,438,000. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth $3,336,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 206.7% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 75,573 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,358,000 after acquiring an additional 50,931 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently commented on MO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Barclays decreased 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 note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MO Altria Group Stock Performance MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $70.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Altria Group Profile (Free Report)
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.
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Blue Capital Inc. bought a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 18,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,354,000.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 10.6% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 65,516,916 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,777,931,000 after acquiring an additional 6,265,780 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3,691.2% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 3,606,561 shares of the company’s stock worth $259,492,000 after acquiring an additional 3,511,430 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 286.7% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 4,479,699 shares of the company’s stock valued at $295,929,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321,262 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 160,980,626 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,282,143,000 after purchasing an additional 1,903,530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 301.4% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 2,416,142 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,315,000 after purchasing an additional 1,814,224 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Performance NYSE MO opened at $65.87 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.86. The stock has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.44 EPS. Altria Group’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently commented on MO. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price objective on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.
View Our Latest Report on Altria Group
Altria Group Profile (Free Report)
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.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Altria Group VIG, VYM, and VYMI: Which Vanguard Dividend ETF Is Right for You? 3 Closed-End Funds to Maximize Dividend Payments Rocket Lab’s Sell-Off Is Fading—Is It Finally Safe to Buy? $27 Billion in Buybacks: 3 Stocks Betting Their Strong Runs Aren’t Over
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Fund Advisors of America Inc FL bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 10,586 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $762,000.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Altria Group by 64.7% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the company’s stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 6,954 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 86.3% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the company’s stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 2,946 shares during the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 6.9% in the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $565,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,752,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Insider Activity at Altria Group In related news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Down 0.3% MO stock opened at $65.87 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $54.70 and a 52 week high of $77.06. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $68.86. The company has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on MO. Barclays reduced their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.
Get Our Latest Research Report on Altria Group
Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report)
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.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Altria Group VIG, VYM, and VYMI: Which Vanguard Dividend ETF Is Right for You? 3 Closed-End Funds to Maximize Dividend Payments Rocket Lab’s Sell-Off Is Fading—Is It Finally Safe to Buy? $27 Billion in Buybacks: 3 Stocks Betting Their Strong Runs Aren’t Over
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STAMFORD, CT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) today announced that it has entered, through its non-U.S. affiliates, into a contract manufacturing arrangement for combustible cigarettes with Philip Morris USA, an operating company of Altria (NYSE:MO). The collaboration is expected to leverage the respective combustible cigarette manufacturing capabilities and expertise of both organizations while we continue to focus on delivering a smoke-free.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP ("SBS"), a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Altria Group, Inc. ("Altria" or "the Company") (NYSE: MO) for violations of the securities laws.
INVESTIGATION DETAILS: The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Altria reported its Q2 2026 financial results on July 30, 2026. The Company also cut its full-year outlook, causing shares to fall.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall or David Schwartz of Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]
WHY SBS? Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. Bringing together the extensive experience and diverse skillsets of founding partners Brian Schall, Andrew Brown, and David Schwartz, SBS is dedicated to aggressively advocating for every investor.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP
Brian Schall, Esq.,
Andrew Brown, Esq.,
David Schwartz, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
[email protected]
Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 7,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $547,000.
A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on MO. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen cut Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Altria Group Altria Group Price Performance Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $65.87 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $70.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $68.81. The company has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted 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). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report)
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.
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Diversify Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 92,376 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,733,000.
A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Miller Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. BTIG Research assumed coverage on Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Citigroup lifted their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.
Read Our Latest Report on MO Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $65.87 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $70.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.81. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.70 and a 1-year high of $77.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Transactions at Altria Group In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the sale, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
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Gables Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 12,926 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $930,000.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Angeles Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 1.3% during the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $821,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 4.6% during the second quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Old Peak Finance LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 1.3% during the second quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,678,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Barclays decreased 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 note on Tuesday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five investment 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.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.
Get Our Latest Analysis on Altria Group Altria Group Price Performance MO stock opened at $65.87 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $109.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.90, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $70.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.81.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.
Insider Transactions at Altria Group In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Altria Group 2 Biotech Stocks Shaping Up for Major Breakouts 3 Stocks Came Roaring Back—Now They’re Flashing Warning Signs 3 Beaten-Down Stocks That Haven’t Gotten the Message About the S&P 500’s Record Run Darden Restaurants Just Hit a 52-Week High–Is the Olive Garden Comeback Story Legit?
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Avaii Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 9,958 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $716,000.
Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Pacific Sun Financial Corp purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at about $212,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $94,000. Diversify Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $6,733,000. Gables Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $930,000. Finally, Investmark Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Investmark Advisory Group LLC now owns 81,103 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,835,000 after acquiring an additional 555 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group In related news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. This represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Performance NYSE MO opened at $65.87 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.70 and a fifty-two week high of $77.06. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.81. The stock has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.44 earnings per share. Altria Group’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, 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. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.
View Our Latest Report on Altria Group
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Altria Group 2 Biotech Stocks Shaping Up for Major Breakouts 3 Stocks Came Roaring Back—Now They’re Flashing Warning Signs 3 Beaten-Down Stocks That Haven’t Gotten the Message About the S&P 500’s Record Run Darden Restaurants Just Hit a 52-Week High–Is the Olive Garden Comeback Story Legit?
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Altria is rated a hold, with shares fairly valued at 11.76x forward earnings and a 6%+ dividend yield. Q2 earnings were mixed: EPS missed by $0.02, but revenue beat by $760M. Buybacks and dividend coverage remain robust. Smoke-free product growth is promising, but oral tobacco segment weakness and cigarette volume declines are key risks.
Key Takeaways Altria raised the low end of 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $5.61, keeping the $5.72 high end unchanged.MO's 4.5% smokeable price realization and 64.8% margin helped support the earnings outlook in Q2.Cigarette volumes fell 3.2%, while oral tobacco income dropped 8% and capital spending guidance increased. Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) missed second-quarter consensus expectations, but adjusted earnings still increased year over year and management raised the low end of its 2026 earnings outlook. That combination puts more weight on execution in the second half.
Pricing, smokeable margins and cigarette import and export benefits support the earnings path. Cigarette volume declines, weaker oral tobacco results and higher capital spending remain the main offsets.
Altria’s Q2 Miss Still Came With Earnings GrowthAdjusted second-quarter earnings were $1.48 per share, up 2.8% year over year but below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.50. Higher adjusted operating companies income and a lower share count supported the increase.
Net revenues rose 0.1% to $6.11 billion. Revenues net of excise taxes increased 1.2% to $5.356 billion, below the consensus mark of $5.362 billion.
MO’s Narrower Guidance Raises the Earnings FloorAltria narrowed 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $5.61-$5.72 per share from $5.56-$5.72. The revision leaves the upper end unchanged while lifting the lower end by 5 cents.
The new range implies 3.5-5.5% growth from adjusted earnings of $5.42 per share in 2025. Management narrowed the range after first-half adjusted earnings increased 4.9% to $2.80 per share.
Altria’s Pricing and Margins Support the OutlookSmokeable price realization was 4.5% in the second quarter, led by Marlboro pricing and partly offset by Basic mix. Adjusted smokeable operating companies income increased 2.4% to $3.02 billion, while margin expanded 30 basis points to 64.8%.
Management continues to expect a greater benefit from cigarette import and export activity in the second half than in the first half. It expects that benefit to be more balanced between the third and fourth quarters.
MO’s Volume and Cost Pressures Could Limit ProgressDomestic cigarette shipment volume declined 3.2% in the second quarter, or an estimated 4.5% after adjusting for trade inventory movements. Oral Tobacco Products revenues fell 5.3%, while adjusted operating companies income declined 8% as lower volume and higher promotional investment weighed on results.
Capital expenditure expectations increased to $375-$450 million from $300-$375 million. Peer execution also raises the competitive bar. Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) said smoke-free products generated about 42% of first-half 2026 net revenues, while British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI - Free Report) reported 18% growth in first-half New Category revenues.
Altria’s Second-Half Estimates Set the Next TestThe Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for third-quarter earnings of $1.50 per share and fourth-quarter earnings of $1.40. The full-year 2026 earnings estimate stands at $5.67 per share.
The consensus sales estimates are $5.33 billion for the third quarter and $5.09 billion for the fourth quarter. Those figures provide the next operating benchmarks as investors assess whether pricing and second-half benefits are offsetting volume and spending pressure.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MO’s Signals Keep the Guidance Reset in PerspectiveThe narrowed guidance provides a clearer 2026 earnings range, but the operating path still depends on pricing, margin discipline and the timing of second-half benefits. Volume pressure and weaker oral tobacco profitability leave less room for execution slippage.
MO currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), a VGM Score of C, Value Score of C, Growth Score of C and Momentum Score of D. The Style Score framework favors A and B grades, particularly alongside Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) stocks, while a Zacks Rank #3 can still support holding an existing position. MO’s C and D scores point to a more mixed near-term setup. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Takeaways Altria's pricing helped lift smokeable profit despite lower cigarette volumes in the second quarter.Discount cigarette shipments jumped 67.3%, as trade-down pressure offset some of Altria's premium pricing.MO's 6.33% yield and buybacks support the hold case, while its 11.6X multiple tops its five-year median. Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) is leaning on pricing, margins and shareholder returns to keep earnings resilient as U.S. cigarette demand declines. Second-quarter results showed that the smokeable business can still convert pricing into profit growth despite lower volumes.
The question is whether that resilience is enough. Trade-down pressure, uneven smoke-free results and a valuation above MO’s five-year median keep the case balanced rather than decisively bullish.
Altria’s Pricing Keeps Earnings ResilientSecond-quarter smokeable revenues net of excise taxes rose 2%, while adjusted operating companies income increased 2.4% to $3.02 billion. The adjusted operating companies income margin expanded 30 basis points to 64.8%.
Smokeable price realization was 4.5%, led by Marlboro pricing and partly offset by Basic mix. Pricing helped counter lower shipment volume, promotional spending and higher costs, supporting Altria’s narrowed 2026 adjusted earnings guidance of $5.61-$5.72 per share.
MO’s Discount Mix Tests the Pricing ThesisDomestic cigarette shipments fell 3.2% in the second quarter and an estimated 4.5% after adjusting for trade inventory movements. Industry discount retail share reached 33.8%, up 2.6 percentage points year over year.
Altria’s discount cigarette shipments jumped 67.3%. Basic helps the company compete for value-sensitive smokers, but a larger discount mix partly offsets premium pricing and leaves the earnings model exposed to continued cigarette category contraction.
Altria’s Smoke-Free Push Offers Mixed SignalsNicotine pouches represented 59.9% of the oral tobacco category, while on!’s retail share of the overall oral market improved to 8.6%. on! PLUS expanded to about 120,000 stores, and first-half on! shipments increased 5.1%.
Still, Oral Tobacco Products revenues fell 5.3% and adjusted operating companies income declined 8%. on!’s nicotine pouch category share fell 1.7 percentage points to 14.4%, showing that category growth does not guarantee share gains.
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) provides a competitive reference point. Its smoke-free business generated 42% of total net revenues in first-half 2026, led by IQOS and ZYN.
British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI - Free Report) is another relevant peer. Its first-half 2026 New Categories revenues rose 18%, led by Modern Oral and U.S. vapor.
MO’s Valuation Sits Below Benchmarks but Above Its MedianMO trades at 11.6X forward 12-month earnings, below the Zacks sub-industry’s 15.4X, the Zacks Consumer Staples sector’s 17.2X and the S&P 500’s 20.3X.
That discount is not absolute. Altria’s five-year median multiple is 9.7X, so the stock is priced above its own typical valuation even while screening cheaper than broader benchmarks.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Altria’s Cash Returns Strengthen the Hold CaseAltria paid about $3.6 billion in dividends and repurchased $335 million of shares in the first half of 2026. The company also had $665 million remaining under its repurchase authorization at June 30.
The dividend yield is 6.33%, the payout ratio is 76% and debt to EBITDA stands at 1.9 times. Those metrics support the income case, although they do not remove risks tied to falling cigarette volumes, mix pressure and tobacco regulation.
MO’s Mixed Scores Reinforce a Cautious StancePricing power, cash returns and below-benchmark valuation support a measured hold case, but the premium to Altria’s historical median and structural volume pressure limit the argument for aggressive buying.
MO currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with a VGM Score of C, Value Score of C, Growth Score of C and Momentum Score of D. A Zacks Rank #3 can support holding an existing position, while the C scores are middling and the D Momentum Score is less favorable for near-term trading. Stronger buying setups generally pair a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) with A or B Style Scores. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp decreased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 2.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,549,406 shares of the company’s stock after selling 379,736 shares during the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned 0.75% of Altria Group worth $902,930,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MO. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock valued at $821,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,678,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have weighed in on MO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11. View Our Latest Research Report on Altria Group
Altria Group Stock Up 1.3% MO stock opened at $66.91 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $77.06. The company has a market cap of $111.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.12, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average of $70.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.83.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 33.99% and a negative return on equity of 315.29%. The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.
Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report)
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.
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Cascade Financial Partners LLC trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 64.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,351 shares of the company’s stock after selling 11,687 shares during the period. Cascade Financial Partners LLC’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $457,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the company’s stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.3% during the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $821,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Old Peak Finance LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Old Peak Finance LLC now owns 11,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 23,324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,678,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Altria Group from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.11.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MO Altria Group Trading Up 2.1% MO stock opened at $65.32 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $109.07 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $54.70 and a 12 month high of $77.06. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $70.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $68.75.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 EPS for the current year.
Insider Activity In other news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total value of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. The trade was a 7.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total transaction of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Profile (Free Report)
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.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Altria Group The AI Boom Is Turning This Cable Maker Into a Stock to Watch A Star Investor Just Trimmed Amazon—Here’s What It means Wendy’s Deal Buzz May Give Fast-Food Investors a New Reason to Look Home Depot Analysts See a Path to $375 and Beyond
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Fifth Third Bancorp lessened its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 1.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 644,513 shares of the company’s stock after selling 10,453 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $46,373,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth $27,000. Navalign LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 78.8% during the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 524 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Insider Activity In other news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 73,809 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This trade represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Altria Group Price Performance Shares of MO opened at $65.32 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $109.07 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.70 and a 1 year high of $77.06. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $70.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.75. Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.44 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently commented on MO. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. UBS Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.11.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MO
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Altria Group The AI Boom Is Turning This Cable Maker Into a Stock to Watch A Star Investor Just Trimmed Amazon—Here’s What It means Wendy’s Deal Buzz May Give Fast-Food Investors a New Reason to Look Home Depot Analysts See a Path to $375 and Beyond
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HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) by 25.0% during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 98,330 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 19,643 shares during the quarter. HUB
Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC cut its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) by 19.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 96,961 shares of the company's stock after selling 22,724 shares during the period. Altria
Key Takeaways Altria's adjusted cigarette volume fell 4.5% in Q2, compared with an estimated 5% decline for the industry.Basic gained retail share while Marlboro held 59.6% of the premium segment and edged up sequentially.Smokeable price realization reached 4.5%, helping lift adjusted operating companies income 2.4%. Altria Group, Inc.’s MO cigarette business is showing resilience despite continued pressure on U.S. smokers. In the second quarter of 2026, reported domestic cigarette shipment volume fell 3.2%. After adjusting for trade inventory movements, the decline was an estimated 4.5%, compared with an estimated 5% drop for the overall domestic cigarette industry. For the first half, Altria’s adjusted decline was about 4% compared with 5% for the industry.
The moderation was primarily tied to reduced cross-category movement between cigarettes and illicit-flavored disposable e-vapor products, even as inflation, elevated gas prices and other pressures continued to influence cigarette purchasing. The industry’s discount retail share rose 2.6 percentage points year over year in the second quarter. Against that backdrop, Basic’s retail share increased 2.3 points year over year and 0.3 points sequentially. Marlboro, meanwhile, held a 59.6% share of the premium segment, unchanged from a year earlier and up 0.1 point sequentially.
Pricing also helped offset volume pressure. Smokeable price realization was 4.5% in the quarter, supported by strong Marlboro pricing, while Marlboro’s retail price was about 7% higher year over year. Smokeable-products net revenues increased 0.7%, while revenues net of excise taxes rose 2%. Adjusted operating companies income advanced 2.4% to $3,018 million, with margin expanding 30 basis points to 64.8%, helped by higher pricing and higher refunds of taxes and duties on imported cigarettes. The combination of relatively better volume performance, stable premium-segment share and strong pricing helped Altria’s cigarette business limit the impact of continued industry-wide volume pressure.
Altria’s Cigarette Resilience Stands Out Against PeersPhilip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) also showed resilience in its cigarette business, with international combustible cigarette volume increasing 1.1% in the second quarter of 2026. While Marlboro gained 0.3 percentage points to a record 11% share, Philip Morris’s cigarette category volume share remained stable at 25.3%. Philip Morris also delivered 10% pricing in international combustibles, supporting 9.8% net revenue growth.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB - Free Report) also showed strength in nicotine products as cigarette consumption shifts. In the second quarter of 2026, Turning Point Brands’ Modern Oral net sales jumped 128% year over year to $68.4 million, while gross sales rose 149%. Turning Point Brands’ Modern Oral business accounted for 48% of total revenues, up from 26% a year earlier, reflecting strong growth in nicotine pouches.
Altria’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Altria have fallen 10.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 3.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.37X, down from the industry’s average of 15.31X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MO’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.6% and 3%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Altria currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Altria (NYSE: MO | MO Price Prediction) shares, which have one of the best dividend performances in the S&P 500, have tracked the market this year. It may be “built” for safety, but investors have gained 13% in price, which matches the S&P 500.
Altria has also outperformed many of the megatech stocks that people are supposed to buy for their huge price surges. Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA)is down 23% this year. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is up only 2%. Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock move up this year is about the same as Altria’s. Meta (NASDAQ: META) is down 10%.
Altria, a cigarette company, has no AI exposure. That means the hundreds of billions of dollars several of America’s largest tech companies are spending represent a financial risk. Altria has almost none. If AI explodes, as many investors think it will, the safest safe-haven stocks offer the best protection.
Better, much better, than all of these, Altria has a yield of 6.5%. It has raised its dividend 60 times in the last 56 years.
Altria’s top brand, which accounts for over 90% of its sales, is Marlboro. It used to be listed among the world’s most valuable brands and was sometimes in the top 10. It has been dropped completely from those lists, likely because it is tobacco, which, because of its health effects, is shied away from. It is still, however, probably the best-known cigarette brand in the world.
So, regardless of its yield benefits and strong balance, the company remains a difficult investment for many because of its products. The plain fact is that the CDC reports that 480,000 Americans die from smoking every year. Worldwide, the figure is above 8 million. It is the largest preventable cause of death globally. Altria is a “sin stock,” a term usually applied to all tobacco and alcohol companies.
In the second quarter Altria’s revenue was flat at $6.1 billion. Diluted EPS dropped 3% to $1.37. Another reason for people who want stock “safety” is Altria’s series of buybacks. The company announced, “Through the first half, we repurchased 5.3 million shares at an average price of $62.78 per share, for a total cost of $335 million. As of June 30, 2026, we had $665 million remaining under our $2 billion share repurchase program, which expires on December 31, 2026.” Finally, it narrowed its full-year guidance.
“Sin stocks” will always have some people who object to owning them. Some institutions as well may decide it looks bad to own them. For everyone else, Altria is a nearly perfect stock to hold against what is an inevitable market selloff.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Assetmark Inc. reduced its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,667,459 shares of the company’s stock after selling 14,498 shares during the quarter. Assetmark Inc. owned approximately 0.16% of Altria Group worth $191,924,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 160,980,626 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,282,143,000 after acquiring an additional 1,903,530 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 72,830,531 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,275,886,000 after purchasing an additional 1,147,141 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 65,516,916 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,777,931,000 after purchasing an additional 6,265,780 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,984,718 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,651,383,000 after buying an additional 729,999 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,306,173 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,286,174,000 after buying an additional 335,089 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE MO opened at $65.72 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $70.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.69. The company has a market cap of $109.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.46. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.70 and a 12-month high of $77.06.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 315.29% and a net margin of 33.99%.The company had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently commented on MO shares. Citigroup boosted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.11.
Get Our Latest Report on Altria Group
Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group In other Altria Group news, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at $1,821,401.12. The trade was a 7.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
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When investing in dividend-paying stocks, the yield (annual dividend divided by stock price) is an important consideration. But it's not the only one.
Investors should understand the company's business and its results to assess the company's dividend sustainability. After all, a high dividend yield isn't helpful if the board of directors subsequently cuts the payout.
Altria Group's (MO +0.95%) stock has a 6.5% yield, and it doesn't seem likely to cut the payout anytime soon. But I prefer Coca-Cola's (KO +0.33%) shares, which yield 2.4% based on its stronger business prospects and dividend consistency.
Image source: Getty Images.
Altria Group makes and sells tobacco and nicotine products. These include cigarettes, cigars, oral tobacco, and e-vapor products.
Most of the company's revenue comes from smokeable tobacco products (cigarettes and cigars). However, with lower demand, its revenue has been uninspiring for some time.
Revenue, excluding excise taxes, rose 3.1% year over year in the first half of the year. That sounds promising, but a closer look reveals that it's not that impressive. That's because the increase came from price increases that offset volume declines.
The smokeable products' division grew first-half sales by 3.5%, but volume fell 2.7% due to faltering demand for cigarettes. Obviously, that's not sustainable over the long run.
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Management targeted a mid-single-digit percentage increase in dividends from 2022 through 2028, in line with management's earnings goal. Adjusted earnings per share grew 4.9% in the first half. Still, that pace might prove hard to achieve over the long run, given the reliance on price increases to boost revenue as demand falters.
Altria Group has raised dividends annually for more than 50 straight years, making the company a Dividend King. And its payout ratio of 89% doesn't indicate that streak is in immediate danger.
Still, long-term investors should look elsewhere for a better dividend-growth opportunity from a steadier business.
The case for Coca-Cola Coca-Cola presents such an opportunity. For those concerned about consumers turning away from soda, it has become a broad beverage company. Its drink categories include water, juice, sports drinks, and plant-based beverages that it sells in more than 200 countries.
Admittedly, Coca-Cola has struggled lately with volume growth. But this had more to do with the overall shaky economy, including persistently high inflation that has left consumers weary. Notably, Coca-Cola gained market share, which leaves the company in a stronger position.
Fortunately, selling volumes have increased lately. The company's second-quarter revenue grew 5% compared to a year ago. That's after removing foreign-currency translation effects and the impact of acquisitions/divestitures. Higher volumes added 4 percentage points, and price/mix contributed 2 percentage points.
Coca-Cola has also been growing its profit. Second-quarter operating income gained 6% versus last year.
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The business produces plenty of free cash flow (FCF), providing comfort to dividend-seeking investors. For the first half of the year, Coca-Cola generated FCF (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) of $6.9 billion. That means it can easily afford the $4.6 billion that it paid in dividends. Management expects FCF of $12.4 billion for the year, which will handily cover the roughly $10 billion in dividends.
Coca-Cola has an impressive dividend history, and it's also a Dividend King. Earlier this year, the board of directors raised the quarterly payout by 4% to $0.53 per share. That makes it 64 consecutive years with a dividend hike,
The shares 2.4% dividend yield isn't nearly as high as Altria Group's 6.5%. However, Coca-Cola's stock does have an above-market yield, with the S&P 500 yielding 1%.
Coca-Cola's fast-growing days seem likely behind it. Still, for investors looking for consistently higher dividends from a business producing steady sales and profit growth, Coca-Cola represents a better buying opportunity compared to Altria Group.
Banco Santander S.A. lowered its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO – Free Report) by 97.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,882 shares of the company’s stock after selling 153,548 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.’s holdings in Altria Group were worth $279,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the period. Miller Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Quattro Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the company’s stock.
Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $65.72 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $109.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.46. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $70.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.69. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.70 and a twelve month high of $77.06.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.44 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.610-5.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets MO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley set a $71.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Altria Group from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.11.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on MO
Insider Buying and Selling In other Altria Group news, Director Ellen R. Strahlman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.56, for a total value of $145,120.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,821,401.12. This trade represents a 7.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ennis Debra J. Kelly sold 5,790 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.25, for a total transaction of $418,327.50. Following the sale, the director owned 73,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,332,700.25. This represents a 7.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
About Altria Group (Free Report)
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.
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Asset Management One Co. Ltd. decreased its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) by 1.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 844,623 shares of the company's stock after selling 13,152 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. owned
Retiring at 65 with $950,000 in a rollover IRA and wanting $4,500 per month in income means you need to pull $54,000 a year from that pile. Skip the annuity, and this becomes a straightforward yield problem: what blended dividend yield does your portfolio need, and what are you giving up at each rung of the ladder?
The math that matters: $54,000 divided by your portfolio yield equals the capital required. At this reader’s starting balance, the required blended yield is roughly 5.7%. That number sits comfortably above the 4.63% yield on the 10-year Treasury today, so the premium for taking equity risk is real but not extreme.
The Conservative Tier: 3% to 4% Yield To hit $54,000 in income at a 3.5% blended yield, you need roughly $1,542,857 invested. Our 65-year-old is short of that by a wide margin, so this tier alone will not close the gap. It still matters as an anchor.
This is the Dividend King and dividend-growth range. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ | JNJ Price Prediction) yields around 2.03% on a $5.36 annualized payout and carries a 27-plus year record of quarterly increases in the dataset, part of a broader streak of 64 consecutive years. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) is on its 70th consecutive year of dividend increases, most recently lifting the quarterly payout to $1.0885. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) pays $0.53 quarterly and has raised every year in the data set going back to 1999.
The tradeoff: yields here are too low to hit $54,000 on $950K alone. What you buy is compounding raises and principal that tends to appreciate. JNJ is up 176% over ten years; KO is up 174%.
The Moderate Tier: 5% to 7% Yield, Where This Portfolio Lives At 5.7%, $950,000 produces exactly $54,000. At 7%, the capital required drops to roughly $771,429. This is REIT, preferred-share, and covered-call territory.
SBA Communications (NASDAQ:SBAC), a cell-tower REIT, pays $1.25 quarterly with the next ex-date on August 20, 2026 and payment on September 17, 2026. CEO Brendan Cavanagh noted the dividend represents roughly 41% of AFFO, giving room to grow, and management raised FY2026 AFFO/share guidance to $11.95 to $12.40. SBAC’s yield sits around 2.65% on its own, so a moderate-tier sleeve typically pairs REITs with covered-call ETFs and preferred-share funds to push blended yield toward 6%.
The Aggressive Tier: 8% to 14% Yield At a 12% blended yield, $54,000 requires only $450,000 of capital. Business development companies, mortgage REITs, high-yield bond funds, and leveraged covered-call vehicles live here.
Altria (NYSE:MO) is the tamest example: a 6.2% yield on $4.24 annualized, backed by 60+ years of raises and a recent 3.9% hike from $1.02 to $1.06 quarterly. The catch is structural: domestic cigarette volume fell 10% in 2025, and management is funding raises from a shrinking base. True aggressive-tier funds add distribution-cut risk and principal erosion on top of that.
Why the Slower Tier Often Wins A 3.5% yield that grows 8% a year doubles in nine years. JNJ’s quarterly payout climbed from $0.75 in 2015 to $1.34 in 2026. KO went from $0.33 to $0.53 over the same window. A 12% distribution with flat or declining NAV, by contrast, is spending the asset. With CPI at 332.6 in June 2026, standing still is losing ground.
The realistic path for our 65-year-old: barbell the tiers. Anchor with dividend-growth names for inflation defense, add moderate-tier REITs and covered-call funds to lift the blended yield toward 5.7%, and use aggressive-tier positions sparingly for the last mile.
Three Actions Before You Rebalance Calculate actual annual spending, not the salary you replaced. Many 65-year-olds discover they need to cover $40,000 to $45,000, not $54,000, which drops the required yield below 5%. Compare the 10-year total return of a dividend-growth fund yielding around 3.5% against a 10%+ covered-call fund. The compounding gap is the whole argument. Model the tax bill on qualified dividends versus ordinary-income distributions from BDCs and mortgage REITs inside your specific bracket. The aggressive tier often looks less appealing after tax. Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Key Takeaways Altria expanded on! PLUS to about 120,000 stores, covering roughly 90% of nicotine product volume.On! retail share reached 8.6% in Q2, up sequentially and year over year, driven by on! PLUS.Altria plans national 12-mg expansion in Q3 and new on! PLUS flavors across three strengths in Q4. Altria Group, Inc.’s (MO - Free Report) smoke-free strategy is increasingly centered on nicotine pouches, with on! PLUS emerging as a key part of that effort. In the second quarter of 2026, Helix expanded on! PLUS to about 120,000 stores, covering roughly 90% of nicotine product volume. The rollout is being supported by a broader retail program and additional line extensions.
The underlying category is also expanding. In the second quarter, the nicotine pouch category grew 8.1 share points and represented nearly 60% of the total oral tobacco category. For on!, reported shipment volume was 49.9 million cans, down 4.2% year over year, although first-half shipment volume rose 5.1%. The company attributed the second-quarter comparison partly to trade inventory movements and promotional activity in the prior-year period.
Retail performance offered another measure of the rollout. On! retail share reached 8.6% in the second quarter, up 0.8 percentage points sequentially and 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier, with the gain driven by on! PLUS. The next phase involves expanding product choice. 12-milligram on! PLUS shipments resumed in three states during the quarter, with national expansion planned for the third quarter. Additional flavors across 6-milligram, 9-milligram and 12-milligram strengths, starting with Blueberry Mint and Mango Pineapple, are planned for the fourth quarter.
Together, these developments show a smoke-free strategy built around wider distribution, a growing nicotine pouch category and a broader on! PLUS offering.
MO’s Nicotine Pouch Strategy Evolves Alongside PM and TPBPhilip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) is also expanding its smoke-free portfolio through nicotine pouches, with ZYN now available in 60 markets. In the second quarter of 2026, Philip Morris reported ZYN shipments rose 1.8% to 2.9 billion pouches, while new 9mg and 11mg ZYN ULTRA variants began shipping. Philip Morris plans additional 1.5mg and 8mg dry variants in the third quarter.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB - Free Report) is also expanding its smoke-free portfolio through nicotine pouches, with Modern Oral net sales up 128% year over year to $68.4 million in the second quarter of 2026. While Modern Oral accounted for 48% of total revenues, up from 26% a year earlier, Turning Point Brands expanded retail distribution for FRE and ALP. Turning Point Brands expects chain-store count to increase 70% year over year by year-end.
Altria’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Altria have fallen 0.4% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 5.1%.
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From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.81X, down from the industry’s average of 15.55X.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MO’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.8% and 3.2%, respectively.
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Altria currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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