Form 4: Altria Director Ellen R. Strahlman Reports Stock and Phantom Stock Unit Transactions

Director Ellen R. Strahlman reported the acquisition of phantom stock units and an increase in deferred shares in Altria Group, Inc.

Summary

• Ellen R. Strahlman, a director at Altria Group, Inc., reported changes in her beneficial ownership of the company's securities.
• On December 31, 2024, she acquired 527 phantom stock units under 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.
• She also increased her holdings of deferred shares by 343 shares through dividend reinvestment since September 30, 2024.
• The total number of deferred shares held in the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is now 19,221.
• Additionally, her share equivalents in the Deferred Fee Plan increased by 527 due to the recent acquisition, 255 from dividend reinvestment, and 2 from fractional share accumulation, totaling 13,346.
• The average price of Altria's common stock on December 31, 2024, was $52.0995.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects routine transactions by a director, indicating a neutral to slightly positive sentiment due to continued investment in the company.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units and deferred shares indicates continued alignment of director interests with the company's performance.
• Dividend reinvestment shows a long-term commitment to the company.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of a director's transactions in company stock, which is common practice for publicly traded companies. It does not indicate any specific trend in the tobacco industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This type of filing is standard practice for directors of publicly traded companies, such as Altria, and is similar to filings made by directors at comparable companies like Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco.
• The transactions reported are typical for directors participating in deferred compensation plans and dividend reinvestment programs.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transactions have a minor positive impact on shareholders as they demonstrate the director's continued investment in the company.

Key Dates

Keywords

Altria, Director, Stock, Phantom Stock Units, Deferred Shares, Dividend Reinvestment, Beneficial Ownership, SEC Form 4