Altria’s (MO) Unusual Options Activity Just Tipped Its Hand to a Hidden Multi-Dimensional Opportunity

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group is adapting to industry challenges by pivoting towards e-cigarettes and other product categories, while offering an attractive annual dividend yield of 8.99% [1] Group 1: Investment Appeal - The pressure from President Trump on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates makes Altria's high yield increasingly attractive for long-term investors [2] - Despite the inherent risks in the tobacco sector, the fundamental incentives to consider Altria stock are likely to continue rising [2] Group 2: Options Trading Insights - Recent unusual options activity indicates that traders are engaging in yield-protecting strategies, reflecting the robust dividend, while also allowing for potential upside [3] - Puts are primarily placed near at-the-money strikes, suggesting a focus on downside insurance rather than panic selling [4] - Call contracts show deltas between 0.25 and 0.45, indicating limited high-delta call buying, but repeated engagement at the $60 strike suggests it is a plausible target for the stock [5][6]