World Equity Group Inc. Acquires 1,974 Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

World Equity Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) by 108.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,800 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,974 shares during the period. World Equity Group Inc.’s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $457,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Dakota Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 23,282 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,827,000 after buying an additional 2,149 shares in the last quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at $218,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 23.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 60,234 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,312,000 after buying an additional 11,399 shares in the last quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,830 shares of the company’s stock valued at $344,000 after buying an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 115,698 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,955,000 after buying an additional 16,154 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the company’s stock.

Philip Morris International Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE PM opened at $154.39 on Monday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $129.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $126.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $240.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.82 and a 12-month high of $154.64.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.06. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. On average, equities analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. Philip Morris International’s dividend payout ratio is 119.73%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $155.00 to $145.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Philip Morris International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $141.22.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In related news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.88, for a total transaction of $749,400.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 20,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,117,354.12. This represents a 19.38 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.67, for a total transaction of $1,486,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 106,244 shares in the company, valued at $15,795,295.48. The trade was a 8.60 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 128,143 shares of company stock worth $19,092,846. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

About Philip Morris International

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