Lewis Asset Management LLC Takes Position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)

Lewis Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,360 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $284,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Busey Bank grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Busey Bank now owns 194,038 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,353,000 after buying an additional 4,229 shares during the last quarter. Abel Hall LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the fourth quarter valued at $207,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth about $157,000. Enzi Wealth raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. Enzi Wealth now owns 1,834 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gries Financial LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $228,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock opened at $129.62 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $201.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.54. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.82 and a 12 month high of $134.15. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $125.26 and its 200-day moving average is $122.59.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th were issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.17%. Philip Morris International’s payout ratio is 85.71%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $103.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, January 16th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Citigroup upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $118.50 to $132.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $145.00 price target (up from $138.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $131.35.

Philip Morris International Profile

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.