Better Income Stock: Pfizer or Altria Group?

Core Insights - High-yield dividend stocks attract investors due to their potential for substantial current income and long-term appreciation [1] Group 1: Pfizer - Pfizer's ability to maintain and grow its dividend is stronger than its payout ratio suggests, with management confident in raising the dividend despite near-term pressures from transitioning beyond COVID-19 revenue [3][5] - Pfizer's recent dividend increase to $0.43 per share marks its 345th consecutive quarterly payment, reflecting strong financial performance and commitment to returning value to shareholders [5] - The company currently yields 6.53$2.75 billion acquisition of NJOY, while maintaining a strong market share with its Marlboro brand, which commands over 40% of the U.S. cigarette market [4][13] - Despite declining cigarette volumes, Altria's pricing power allows for continued price increases to offset volume declines, making it a more favorable option for income-focused investors compared to Pfizer [7][14]