Algert Global LLC Increases Position in Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE:VGR)

Algert Global LLC grew its position in Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE:VGR) by 72.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 691,014 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 291,404 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC’s holdings in Vector Group were worth $7,304,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Optimist Retirement Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vector Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $949,000. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC grew its stake in shares of Vector Group by 78.6% in the 2nd quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 666,609 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,046,000 after buying an additional 293,338 shares during the period. Duality Advisers LP purchased a new stake in shares of Vector Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $900,000. Tidal Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vector Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $527,000. Finally, Quest Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Vector Group by 3,851,600.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 38,517 shares of the company’s stock valued at $407,000 after buying an additional 38,516 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.09% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on VGR. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Vector Group in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Vector Group from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th.

Vector Group Stock Performance

Shares of VGR stock opened at $14.91 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $14.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.91. Vector Group Ltd. has a one year low of $9.27 and a one year high of $15.53. The firm has a market cap of $2.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.85 and a beta of 1.04.

Vector Group (NYSE:VGR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.04. Vector Group had a net margin of 14.05% and a negative return on equity of 26.96%. The firm had revenue of $371.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $362.90 million. As a group, research analysts predict that Vector Group Ltd. will post 1.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vector Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 30th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.37%. Vector Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 68.97%.

Vector Group Company Profile

Vector Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. It operates in two segments, Tobacco and Real Estate. The company produces cigarettes under the Montego, EAGLE 20’s, Pyramid, Grand Prix, Liggett Select, Eve, and USA brand names, as well as various partner and private label brands.