Core Insights - Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) has experienced a significant increase of 66% over the past year, outperforming NVIDIA's (NVDA) 12-month returns amidst a broader market trend [1]. Company Performance - The stock performance of Philip Morris International has been notably strong, with a 66% rise in value over the last year, indicating robust investor interest and confidence in the company's future prospects [1]. Market Context - The current market environment shows a shift in investor focus, with analysts primarily concentrating on AI technologies, yet Philip Morris is achieving substantial returns that surpass those of major tech companies like NVIDIA [1].

Economic Outlook - The U.S. economy is showing signs of potential recession, with the Atlanta Federal Reserve predicting a 2.1% decline in Q1 GDP after earlier forecasts of over 2% growth [1] Walmart - Walmart is positioned as a top defensive stock, having gained 2% during the Covid recession while the S&P 500 lost 25%, and rose 12% during the Great Recession of 2008-2009 [2][3] - The company benefits from its size and scale, providing significant buying power that allows it to be a price leader during economic downturns [4] - Walmart's extensive reach means 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a store, which supports its Walmart+ membership growth, particularly among wealthier consumers [5] - Upper-income households, defined as those earning $100,000 or more, have been a key growth driver for Walmart, potentially increasing their patronage during a recession [6] - Walmart is also expanding its advertising and online marketplace businesses, enhancing fulfillment capabilities for third-party merchants [7] Philip Morris International - Philip Morris International's traditional cigarette business remains strong, with modest volume growth and strong pricing power, particularly in international markets [8] - The company's smokeless products, such as Zyn and IQOS, are significant growth drivers, with Zyn projected to see volume growth of 34% to 41% this year [9] - IQOS has also experienced solid growth, with plans for broader rollout in the U.S. pending FDA approval [10] - Zyn and IQOS offer better unit economics compared to traditional cigarettes, with Zyn's contribution level being six times greater and IQOS's twice as good [11] - The addictive nature of Philip Morris' products makes them resilient during economic downturns, and the company offers a 3.5% dividend yield, making it an attractive growth stock in a defensive industry [12]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting personal in-depth research and due diligence before making investment decisions [3]. Group 1 - The analysis is intended for informational purposes and should not be considered professional investment advice [3]. - There is a clear statement that past performance does not guarantee future results, highlighting the inherent uncertainties in investment [4]. - The article expresses that the views or opinions may not reflect those of the platform as a whole, indicating a diversity of perspectives among analysts [4].

About this content About Josh Lamb After graduating from the University of Kent in the summer of 2022 with a degree in History, Josh joined Proactive later that year as a journalist in the UK editorial team. Josh has reported on a range of areas whilst at Proactive, including energy companies during a time of global crisis, aviation and airlines as the sector recovers from the pandemic, as well as covering economic, social and governance issues. Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and ...

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) Consumer Analyst Group of New York Conference (CAGNY) 2025 February 19, 2025 1:00 PM ET Company Participants Jacek Olczak - Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Babeau - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Bonnie Herzog - Goldman Sachs Bonnie Herzog Hi everyone, thanks so much for joining us today. It's a pleasure to welcome Philip Morris International back to CAGNY this year, including Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer; and Emmanuel Babeau, Chief ...

While investors in the tobacco space have tended to be more focused on dividends over the years, Philip Morris International (PM 1.29%) has quietly turned itself into a strong growth company as its smoke-free business continues to drive strong results. The company's shares were once again climbing following its fourth-quarter earnings results. The stock is now up around 20% year to date and about 60% over the past year, as of this writing.With the stock near all-time highs, let's take a closer look at its m ...

Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM ) delivered strong financial results for its fourth-quarter on Thursday that caused the firm's shares to surge 11% and reach a new all-time high. The tobacco company exceeded analyst expectations with regard to its EPS and wasAnalyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MO, PM, BTI either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation fo ...

Philip Morris International Inc.’s (PM) shares rallied 9.4% in the pre-market session today after reporting robust fourth-quarter 2024 results. Both top and bottom lines increased year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the quarter. Results were fueled by robust momentum across regions and product categories, including continued momentum in IQOS and ZYN, along with an impressive combustibles performance.Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.55, which increased 14% ye ...

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 6, 2024 9:00 AM ET Corporate Participants James Bushnell - Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Communications Jacek Olczak - Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Babeau - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Matt Smith - Stifel Bonnie Herzog - Goldman Sachs Gaurav Jain - Barclays Eric Serotta - Morgan Stanley Faham Baig - UBS Philip Spain - JPMorgan Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. ...

Core Insights - Philip Morris International exceeded earnings expectations for Q4 2024, driven by its expanding smoke-free product lineup [2][3] - The company reported adjusted EPS of $1.55, surpassing the estimated $1.50, and revenue of $9.71 billion, exceeding the forecasted $9.44 billion [2][4] Financial Performance - Q4 2024 metrics include: - EPS: $1.55 (14% increase YOY from $1.36) [4] - Revenue: $9.71 billion (7.3% increase YOY from $9.05 billion) [4] - Adjusted operating income: $3.52 billion (15.3% increase YOY from $3.05 billion) [4] - Smoke-free revenue: $3.9 billion (9.2% increase YOY from $3.6 billion) [4] - Combustibles revenue: $5.8 billion (6% increase YOY from $5.4 billion) [4] Strategic Shift - The company is strategically shifting towards smoke-free products, which now account for 40% of overall revenue and approximately 42% of gross profit [2][3] - The focus on smoke-free growth is highlighted by the investment in Swedish Match, enhancing its portfolio with the ZYN brand [6] Product Segment Growth - Revenue from smoke-free products grew by 40% in Q4 2024, with Heated Tobacco Units (HTUs) shipments increasing by 5.1% and cigarette shipments rising by 1.1% [7] - The company aims to transition consumers from traditional smoking to healthier alternatives [7] Regulatory and Geographic Expansion - Regulatory successes include U.S. FDA authorization of ZYN nicotine pouches and IQOS devices as Modified Risk Tobacco Products, enhancing credibility for smoke-free alternatives [8] - Adjusted International Market Share (IMS) grew significantly in Japan and Europe, with smoke-free products gaining traction in Italy and Spain [9] Challenges and Outlook - The company faces challenges such as ongoing litigation, including a non-cash impairment charge of $2.3 billion related to the Canadian affiliate RBH [10] - Despite challenges, traditional products remain significant, with Marlboro accounting for 39% of cigarette shipment volume [10] - For 2025, the company projects adjusted EPS between $7.04 and $7.17, indicating a potential increase of up to 9.1% from 2024 [11][12]