Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...

Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) reached a 52-week high of $127.41 on Wednesday before closing the trading session at $126.61. The company’s strategic focus on smoke-free products, driven by growing consumer health consciousness, has been a key factor in its success. Its pricing power has also bolstered performance.These factors have fueled a 21.5% rally in Philip Morris shares over the past three months, outpacing the broader industry’s growth of 20.7%. PM also surpassed the Zacks Consumer S ...

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Summary of Philip Morris International Inc. Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) - **Event**: Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference 2024 - **Date**: September 3, 2024 - **Participants**: Jacek Olczak (CEO), Gaurav Jain (Barclays) Key Points Stock Performance - PMI stock is trading at all-time highs, with a year-to-date increase of 35%, outperforming the S&P Staples Index (up 16%) and S&P/NASDAQ (up about 20%) [1][2] Growth Expectations - Discussion on whether PMI can systematically outperform the S&P 500 moving forward [2] - Historical context provided, noting that PMI previously targeted 10% to 12% EPS growth driven by emerging markets, now focusing on high profit pool markets like the U.S. and Europe, alongside New Generation Products (NGPs) [2][3] Volume and Revenue Growth - PMI has achieved volume growth despite challenges in the traditional tobacco market, with mid-single-digit revenue growth driven by a favorable volume mix and strong pricing [5][6] - The company expects to deliver 11% to 13% EPS growth without share buybacks, indicating a strong recovery compared to previous years [5] NGP Market Dynamics - NGPs, including heat-not-burn products and nicotine pouches, are seen as key drivers for future growth, with significant market potential still untapped [11][12] - The company is optimistic about the volume outlook, suggesting a shift in consumer behavior towards smoke-free alternatives [13][14] Pricing Strategy - PMI is cautious about pricing strategies, balancing market share with profitability, particularly in the combustible cigarette segment [17][20] - The company has indicated strong pricing variance, even with reduced cigarette volumes, and is focused on maximizing the value of its product offerings [18][19] IQOS Performance - There have been adjustments in IQOS guidance, but the company remains confident in its long-term growth trajectory, particularly in markets like Japan where heat-not-burn products are gaining traction [21][23] - The impact of the EU flavor ban on IQOS is acknowledged, with expectations for recovery in growth as markets adapt [27][28] ZYN Capacity Expansion - PMI is expanding ZYN production capacity, with plans for a new facility in Colorado and maximizing existing operations in Owensboro, Kentucky [30][31] - Despite recent market share losses, the company believes ZYN has been a significant growth driver for the category and anticipates regaining share as capacity constraints are addressed [32][33] Youth Access and Regulatory Compliance - PMI is actively managing youth access to its products, emphasizing responsible marketing and distribution practices [36][40] - The company is awaiting FDA decisions on regulatory submissions for ZYN and is committed to preventing unauthorized product access [41] Share Repurchase and Financial Strategy - PMI is currently above its 2x leverage target but aims to return to this level by 2026, at which point share repurchases may be considered [42][44] - The company prioritizes dividends and cash flow management, indicating a strong commitment to shareholder returns [45][46] Conclusion - PMI is navigating a transformative period with a focus on NGPs, pricing strategies, and regulatory compliance while maintaining a commitment to shareholder value through dividends and potential share repurchases in the future [48][49]

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Sco ...

MADRID, SPAIN - 2023/10/24: Pedestrians walk past the heated tobacco and electronic cigarette ... [+] products brand and manufactured by Philip Morris International (PMI), IQOS, seen in Madrid. (Photo by Xavi Lopez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesPhilip Morris stock (NYSE: PM) has seen solid gains of over 70% from levels of around $70 in early January 2021 to over $120 now, vs. an increase of about 50% for the S&P 500 over this period. This can primarily be a ...

Core Viewpoint - Philip Morris is experiencing a significant stock price increase, which reflects the market's recognition of its growth initiatives, making it an attractive option for dividend growth investors [2][14]. Stock Performance - Since mid-April, Philip Morris' stock has risen from approximately $89 to nearly its all-time high of $122, indicating strong upward momentum [4]. - Over the past five years, the stock has appreciated by 48%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.2%, combined with a dividend yield of about 5%, resulting in a total average annual shareholder return of 13.2% [5]. Dividend Growth - Philip Morris has consistently paid and increased its quarterly dividend since its spin-off from Altria in 2008, although recent annual increases have been modest, averaging 2-4% [6][10]. - The company is expected to raise its dividend again in September, with a potential new quarterly dividend of $1.35, reflecting a payout ratio of 85%, which is one of the lowest in five years [11][14]. Earnings Growth - The company is projected to achieve double-digit earnings per share (EPS) growth this year, with a second-quarter adjusted diluted EPS growth of 10.6% [9]. - Full-year EPS growth guidance has been raised from 9-11% to 11-13%, indicating a positive outlook for profitability [11]. Competitive Position - Philip Morris is leading in innovation and growth in new product categories, particularly in the smoke-free segment, where products like IQOS and ZYN are performing well [9][13]. - The company faces competition from larger players like British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco, which have lower price-to-earnings ratios and higher dividend yields [13]. Conclusion - Philip Morris is positioned for continued growth with a strong dividend yield and the potential for larger future hikes, making it an appealing investment for dividend growth investors [14].

Group 1 - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores categorize stocks into Value, Growth, Momentum, and VGM Scores, providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating investment opportunities [2][4] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios, while the Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential [2][3] Group 2 - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, utilizing short-term price changes and earnings estimate shifts [3] - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to identify stocks with high return potential, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [5] - To maximize investment success, it is recommended to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [6][7] Group 3 - Philip Morris International is undergoing a business transformation towards reduced risk products, notably the IQOS heating tobacco device, amidst increasing health consciousness and regulatory pressures [8] - Philip Morris holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B, indicating strong growth potential with a forecasted year-over-year earnings growth of 7% for the current fiscal year [8] - Recent analyst revisions have increased the earnings estimate for fiscal 2024 by $0.09 to $6.43 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 1.8% [8][9]

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made ...

Philip Morris' stock offers a high dividend yield.Tobacco company Philip Morris International (PM 0.15%) has increased dividends annually since it was spun off from Altria Group in 2008. The board of directors last raised the payment in October.It's important to look beyond the current level and past increases, however. While everyone likes higher payouts, particularly dividend-seeking investors, it's imperative for investors to do some digging to see if Philip Morris can sustain the payment.The dividendPhi ...