Why Dividend Investors Keep an Eye on Altria Group’s (MO) Payouts

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the top 10 highest dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500, appealing to dividend investors [1] - The company is a leading producer and marketer of tobacco products, including cigarettes and medical products related to tobacco use, but faces uncertainty in its long-term prospects [2] - The tobacco industry is transitioning from traditional combustible cigarettes to smoke-free products, which will significantly impact Altria's future value as growth in traditional tobacco slows [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, approximately 83% of Altria's operating income was derived from traditional smokeable products, while only 17% came from oral tobacco and nicotine offerings, indicating that smoke-free products are not yet a major revenue driver [4] - Altria has a strong dividend history, having raised its dividends 60 times over the past 56 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share with a dividend yield of 6.45% as of September 27 [5]