Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) Shares Bought by Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) by 23.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 56,737 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,703 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund’s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $6,828,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Key Financial Inc increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 2,707 shares of the company’s stock worth $326,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. Davidson Trust Co. raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Davidson Trust Co. now owns 3,415 shares of the company’s stock valued at $411,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. BKM Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,479 shares of the company’s stock valued at $298,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 518.4% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 11,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,413,000 after buying an additional 9,845 shares during the period. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 83,265 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,067,000 after acquiring an additional 3,443 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 5,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.88, for a total value of $749,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 20,799 shares in the company, valued at $3,117,354.12. This trade represents a 19.38 % 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. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:PM opened at $150.60 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $127.47 and a 200-day moving average of $125.28. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.82 and a twelve month high of $151.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $234.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.55.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.06. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.24% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. On average, analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 26th. Philip Morris International’s payout ratio is 119.73%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on PM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “sell” 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 lowered 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, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $139.56.

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.