Altria Stock Falls 8.2% in Three Months: What Should Investors Do?

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. has experienced an 8.2% decline in its stock over the past three months, contrasting with the positive performance of the broader market and its industry peers [1][9] - The company has underperformed compared to key competitors, with Turning Point Brands, British American Tobacco, and Philip Morris International showing gains of 22.6%, 11%, and 4.5% respectively [2] Performance Analysis - Altria's domestic cigarette shipment volumes fell by 8.2% in Q3 2025 and 10.6% year-to-date, which is greater than the overall industry's decline [7] - Despite the volume decline, Altria reported a 3.6% increase in Q3 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to $1.45, with smokeable product margins holding steady at 64.4% [9][11] Competitive Landscape - Increased competition in the smoke-free product segment has led to heightened promotional activities, affecting pricing and creating shipment volatility [8] - The on! nicotine pouch brand has shown stable retail demand, but concerns about growth visibility and margin maintenance persist due to competitive pressures [8] Regulatory Environment - Ongoing regulatory and legal uncertainties, particularly in the e-vapor segment, continue to impact investor confidence [10] Financial Valuation - Altria is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.52, which is below the industry average of 14.37 and the S&P 500's 23.45, indicating potential undervaluation [13] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Altria's EPS for 2025 has increased by 1 cent to $5.44, while the estimate for 2026 has decreased by 1 cent to $5.56, reflecting a steady outlook with projected earnings growth of 6.3% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026 [16]