Vector Group Ltd (NYSE:VGR)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.91 and last traded at $13.82, with a volume of 16845 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $13.63.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. ValuEngine lowered shares of Vector Group from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Zacks Investment Research upgraded Vector Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $13.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 8th.

The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.20 and a 200 day moving average of $11.10. The company has a market cap of $1.99 billion, a PE ratio of 25.13 and a beta of 0.74.

Vector Group (NYSE:VGR) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $504.79 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $526.50 million. Vector Group had a negative return on equity of 21.00% and a net margin of 5.83%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.15 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Vector Group Ltd will post 0.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 17th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.47%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. Vector Group’s payout ratio is currently 290.91%.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Vector Group by 67.4% in the third quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,953 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 1,189 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Vector Group during the third quarter worth about $55,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in shares of Vector Group by 15.8% during the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 8,031 shares of the company’s stock worth $78,000 after buying an additional 1,096 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Vector Group by 86.5% in the 3rd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 7,830 shares of the company’s stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 3,632 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vector Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $99,000. 61.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vector Group (NYSE:VGR)

Vector Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes in the United States. It operates in two segments, Tobacco and Real Estate. The company produces cigarettes in 109 combinations under the Pyramid, EAGLE 20's, Grand Prix, Liggett Select, Eve, and USA brand names, as well as various partner and private label brands.

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