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This Ultra-High Dividend Stock Is Yielding 7%: Should You Buy It With $1,000 Right Now?
MOAltria(MO) The Motley Fool·2025-04-05 22:23

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group is positioned as a stable investment option during market uncertainty, offering consistent dividend income and potential growth in its smoke-free product segment [2][10]. Financial Performance - Altria's net revenue after excise taxes increased by 1.6% year-over-year to 5.1billion,despitean85.1 billion, despite an 8% decline in cigarette sales volume [3]. - The smokeables division generated an operating income of 10.8 billion in 2024, with a 60% operating margin, highlighting its profitability [3]. Product Strategy - Altria aims to double its smoke-free product sales to 5billionby2028,althoughitcurrentlylagsbehindcompetitorslikePhilipMorrisInternational[4].Thecompanyisfocusingonexpandingitssmokefreeproductofferings,includingnicotinepouchesandelectronicvaping[4].CapitalReturnsandDividendsAltriahasreduceditssharesoutstandingby145 billion by 2028, although it currently lags behind competitors like Philip Morris International [4]. - The company is focusing on expanding its smoke-free product offerings, including nicotine pouches and electronic vaping [4]. Capital Returns and Dividends - Altria has reduced its shares outstanding by 14% over the last 10 years, with accelerated buybacks in 2024 [6]. - The dividend per share has increased by approximately 100% over the past decade, with a current quarterly payout of 1.02 [6]. - Management plans to grow the dividend per share at a mid-single-digit percentage rate annually, around 5% through 2028 [7]. Investment Rationale - Investing 1,000inAltriaGroupstockisprojectedtoyieldaround1,000 in Altria Group stock is projected to yield around 70 in annual dividend income based on the current yield [9]. - The company has demonstrated a 103% growth in free cash flow per share over the last 10 years, providing a solid foundation for future dividend increases [9][10].