First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. Buys 618 Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) by 0.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 78,666 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 618 shares during the period. Philip Morris International makes up approximately 1.9% of First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $9,467,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 457.5% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 223 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 203.8% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 240 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Concord Wealth Partners increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 2,709.1% during the 3rd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 309 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 55.5% during the 4th quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 412 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $54,000. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on PM. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Philip Morris International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $134.35.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.5 %

PM opened at $146.58 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $87.82 and a 52-week high of $146.78. The company has a market cap of $227.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.55. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $125.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $124.06.

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

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th were given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. Philip Morris International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 119.73%.

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.