Altria's Q2 Earnings Expected to Boost Share Price Amid Market Dip

Altria (MO) ended at $60.25, up 1.01% from the previous day, surpassing the S&P 500's loss. The company's shares have risen 0.69% over the last month, exceeding the Consumer Staples sector's gain. Altria is set to release its earnings on July 30, 2025, with projected EPS of $1.36, a 3.82% increase from the same quarter last year. The Zacks Rank system gives Altria a #2 (Buy) rating, and its Forward P/E ratio of 11.11 is in line with its industry average.

Altria Group Inc. (MO) closed at $60.25 on July 2, 2025, up 1.01% from the previous day, outperforming the broader market. The company's shares have risen 0.69% over the last month, exceeding the Consumer Staples sector's gain. Altria is set to release its earnings on July 30, 2025, with projected EPS of $1.36, a 3.82% increase from the same quarter last year. The Zacks Rank system gives Altria a #2 (Buy) rating, and its Forward P/E ratio of 11.11 is in line with its industry average [2].

Altria's recent stock performance has been driven by a series of strategic acquisitions and a strong dividend history. The company has acquired vape maker NJOY, which gives it access to a massive distribution network. Marlboro, Altria's flagship brand, remains a dominant player in the U.S. cigarette market, holding 42% of the market share [2]. Altria's fiscal year 2023 saw the company return more than $32 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and repurchase $7.9 billion worth of stock [2].

Institutional investors have been active in Altria's stock. D.A. Davidson & CO. reduced its position in Altria by 2.6% during the first quarter, while Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position valued at about $137.5 million. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake by 6,969.4% during the first quarter, and Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake by 9.6% in the fourth quarter. Royal Bank of Canada also increased its holding by 17.4% in the fourth quarter [1].

Analysts have mixed opinions on Altria's stock. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Altria Group from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating. Citigroup lifted their price target from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating. UBS Group raised Altria's rating from "sell" to "neutral" and boosted their price objective. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $60.00 price objective on Altria Group [1]. Despite the mixed ratings, Altria's stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $57.71 [1].

Altria's earnings report on July 30, 2025, will provide further insights into the company's financial health and strategic direction. With a strong dividend history and a diverse product portfolio, Altria continues to be a reliable investment option for income-focused investors. However, the company's performance will be closely watched as it navigates the evolving tobacco market landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-da-davidson-co-decreases-holdings-in-altria-group-inc-nysemo-2025-07-03/
[2] https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/07/03/altria-group-inc-nyse-mo-price-prediction-and-forecast-2025-2030-april-2025/