Form 4: Altria Director Ellen R. Strahlman Reports Changes in Beneficial Ownership

Director Ellen R. Strahlman reports acquisition of phantom stock units and changes in common stock holdings through dividend reinvestment and deferred fee plan.

Summary

• On March 29, 2024, Ellen R. Strahlman, a director of Altria Group, Inc., reported changes in her beneficial ownership of the company's securities.
• She acquired 628 phantom stock units pursuant to the Deferred Fee Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
• These phantom stock units convert to the cash value of Altria's common stock on a 1-for-1 basis and will be distributed in cash either before or after termination of service as a director, as elected by the participant.
• She also increased her holdings of common stock by 287 shares through the reinvestment of dividends since December 29, 2023.
• Strahlman's total holdings include 14,454 deferred shares in the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and 10,609 share equivalents in the Deferred Fee Plan for Non-Employee Directors, including those acquired through dividend reinvestment and fractional share accumulation.
• The average of the high and low price of Altria Group, Inc. common stock on March 28, 2024 was $43.7725.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The document itself is neutral, reporting routine transactions. The director's continued investment suggests a slightly positive sentiment towards the company's prospects.

Positives

• The director's participation in the Deferred Fee Plan and Stock Compensation Plan demonstrates alignment with shareholder interests.
• Reinvestment of dividends indicates a positive outlook on the company's future performance.

Future Outlook

The document does not contain explicit forward-looking statements, but the director's continued investment in the company suggests a positive outlook.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of changes in beneficial ownership by a company director, which is standard practice for publicly traded companies. It provides transparency to investors regarding the holdings and transactions of company insiders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Form 4 filings are standard practice for publicly traded companies and their insiders, ensuring transparency in the market.
• Director compensation packages often include stock and phantom stock units to align interests with shareholders, a common practice across various industries.
• Dividend reinvestment programs are also a common feature offered by many companies, allowing shareholders to increase their holdings.

Stakeholder Impact

• The filing provides transparency to shareholders regarding the director's holdings and transactions.
• The director's participation in compensation plans aligns her interests with those of shareholders.

Key Dates