Verity & Verity 13F: Adds $545K to Altria (MO) Stake

Verity & Verity increased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) during the third quarter, according to a Form 13F filed with the SEC on October 23, 2026. The firm acquired 8,093 more shares, lifting its total holdings by 2.5% to 331,573 shares. That updated position had a reported value of about $22.3 million as of the filing date.

MO Altria Group, Inc.

$74.31 ▲ +35.95% year to date

1M 3M YTD

Daily close · Oct 23, 2026

What Changed in Verity & Verity's Altria Group Position

The added shares expanded Verity & Verity's investment in the tobacco maker to a total of 331,573 shares. At the October 23, 2026 closing price of $74.31, the entire stake was valued at $22,328,139. The modest 2.5% increase shows a steady commitment to the company even as other financial institutions adjust their positions.

Other Institutional Activity in Altria Group

Other large institutional investors made notable adjustments to their Altria holdings around the same time. First Citizens Bank & Trust cut its holdings by 16.8%, ending with 321,708 shares worth about $21.7 million. Saratoga Research & Investment Management closed out its entire position by selling its remaining 2,920 shares. On a larger scale, GQG Partners LLC grew its holdings by 1,275,246 shares, ending with 25,111,622 shares worth about $1.9 billion. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. also added to its stake, growing its holdings by 544,035 shares to reach 22,047,402 shares valued at roughly $1.6 billion.

Altria Group, Inc. Stock Up 0.7%

Altria shares closed at $74.31 on October 23, 2026, and recently traded at the exact same price as of October 24, 2026. The stock sits comfortably above its 50-day moving average of $69.33 and its 200-day moving average of $68.37. While it trades slightly below its 52-week high of $77.06, it remains well above its 52-week low of $54.70.

Recent Earnings

Altria Group posted trailing twelve-month revenue of $20.44 billion alongside basic earnings of $4.75 per share. The company maintains a net profit margin of 39.0%. Investors look ahead to the next earnings report scheduled for October 29, 2026.

Dividend

Altria distributes an annual dividend rate of $4.44 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 5.84%. The company pays out 89.3% of its earnings to shareholders through dividends.

Insider Buying and Selling at Altria Group, Inc.

Company insiders executed several sales earlier in the year. Officer Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares on March 5, 2026, at an average price of $67.57 for a total value of about $1.9 million. Director Debra J. Kelly-Ennis sold 5,790 shares on May 26, 2026, at an average price of $72.25, totaling $418,318. Director Ellen Strahlman also sold 2,000 shares on May 26, 2026, at an average price of $72.56 for a total of $145,118.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Wall Street firms hold mixed views on the stock. UBS maintains a Buy rating with a target price of $79.00, raised from $76.00, in a note from July 7, 2026. Barclays maintains an Underweight rating, lowering its target price to $58.00 from $64.00 on August 11, 2026. Overall, the stock carries a consensus hold rating from 11 analysts with a mean price target of $70.00.

About Altria Group

Altria Group, Inc., based in Richmond, Virginia, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. Its well-known brands include Marlboro cigarettes, Black & Mild cigars, Copenhagen and Skoal smokeless tobacco, on! nicotine pouches, and NJOY e-vapor products. Institutional investments like Verity & Verity's latest adjustment reflect ongoing interest in the firm's steady cash flows and high dividend payout.

Bottom Line

Investors are keeping a close eye on Altria ahead of its upcoming earnings report on October 29, 2026. The company's strong dividend yield and steady institutional backing continue to draw attention from wealth managers and large funds alike.