Altria Group (MO): A Dividend Champion Built on Innovation and Endurance

Group 1: Company Overview - Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is recognized for its ownership of Marlboro and a diverse portfolio that includes oral tobacco products, cigars, and e-vapor devices, as well as a significant stake in Anheuser-Busch [2] - The company has successfully maintained strong profits despite a long-term decline in cigarette use in the US, leveraging price increases, cost-cutting measures, and operational efficiencies [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Altria has achieved nearly 60% growth in consolidated free cash flow over the past decade, reaching $8.7 billion in the last twelve months [3] - The company has a robust dividend history, having raised its payouts 60 times over the past 56 years, with a current quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 6.54% as of October 2 [5] Group 3: Future Outlook - Altria is investing in non-cigarette products, with stable performance in its cigar segment and growth in newer areas like vaping and nicotine pouches, particularly the on! pouch brand, which saw 26.5% volume growth last quarter [4] - The recent partnership with KT&G in South Korea aims to expand its product offerings and explore potential investments in the energy sector, indicating a strategic shift in the company's direction [4]