Stock Update: Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO)

[Zacks] Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO) is set to report the third-quarter 2014 results on Oct 30. Last quarter, the company posted in-line results. Let's see how things are shaping up for this announcement.Altria has been reporting decent earnings results for the past few quarters backed by higher operating income and pricing power.Stock PerformanceTaking a look at the company’s recent performance, Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO) reported second quarter earnings for fiscal year 2014 on July 22^nd 2014. The company reported actual earnings per share of $0.65 against the consensus Street estimate of $0.66.This represents year over year growth of 4.62%. Altria posted revenue of $6.26 billion against estimates of $4.60 billion.Altria is currently valued at $94.19 billion and closed the last trading session at $45.57. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $43.65 and a 200-day moving average of $41.16.

Is this a Buying Opportunity?There are currently ten analysts that we track that cover the stock. Of those ten, six have Buy rating and four have a hold rating. On a consensus basis this yields a score of 2.60 and a buy. The combined price objective of these covering analysts is $49.33, which represents a 7.39% upside difference to the last closing price.The most recent analyst activity consisted of Bank of America who upgraded rating with buy stance on the company. Bank of America has a price target of $44.00 to $50.00 which represents an upside of 9.15% from the last closing price. On the date of the report, the stock closed at $45.81.Another research firm weighing in recently was Zacks who Reiterated their neutral stance on the stock. On August 28^th 2014 Zacks upgrade their price target on the stock $45 a 4.87% upside to the current price. On the day of the report, MO shares closed at $42.91.Company Profile Altria Group, Inc (NYSE:MO), through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States and internationally. It offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars principally under the Black & Mild brand; and smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky, and Marlboro Snus brand names. The company also produces and sells blended table wines under the Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, and 14 Hands names; and distributes Antinori and Villa Maria Estate wines, as well as Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. In addition, it maintains a portfolio of leveraged and direct finance leases primarily in aircraft, rail and surface transport, electric power, real estate, and manufacturing industries.