Is Altria Group Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is a major consumer goods company focused on tobacco products, with a portfolio that includes the well-known Marlboro brand and extends to smokeless tobacco, wines, and alternative nicotine ventures [1] Company Overview - Altria's market capitalization is approximately $97.7 billion, categorizing it as a large-cap company, which allows for extensive distribution through wholesalers and major retail organizations [2] Stock Performance - Altria's stock has experienced significant volatility, falling over 16.4% from its 52-week high of $68.80 on August 22, and declining 15.3% in the past three months, contrasting with a 3.7% gain in the S&P 500 Index during the same period [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, Altria's stock gained only 1.1%, while year-to-date (YTD) it rose 9.6%, compared to the broader index's 11% increase over the past year and 14% YTD, indicating a notable performance gap [4] Technical Analysis - The momentum for Altria's stock has turned bearish, as it fell below its 200-day moving average in late October and has remained under the 50-day moving average since mid-October [5] Earnings Report - In the fiscal 2025 Q3 earnings report released on October 30, Altria's adjusted EPS increased by 3.6% year-over-year to $1.45, slightly exceeding analysts' expectations of $1.44. However, revenue for the quarter was $6.07 billion, which, despite surpassing forecasts, represented a 3% year-over-year decline due to lower net revenues in smokeable products, contributing to a 7.8% drop in share price on the announcement day [6]