Core Viewpoint - Altria offers a high yield of 6.3%, but the business faces significant challenges, making it a riskier investment compared to Hormel Foods, which has a lower yield of approximately 5% but a more stable business model [1][4][11]. Altria Overview - Altria's primary business revolves around cigarette sales, which are declining; for instance, cigarette volumes fell by 10% in 2025 [4]. - The company has managed to support revenue and earnings through price increases and stock buybacks, allowing for ongoing dividend increases, but it remains fundamentally challenged [5]. Hormel Foods Overview - Hormel Foods is a large food manufacturer focused on protein products, aligning well with current consumer trends [6]. - The company is currently facing challenges, particularly in passing rising costs onto consumers, and is refocusing on cost control and portfolio overhaul, including plans to sell its whole turkey business [7][9]. - Hormel's interim CEO, Jeff Ettinger, has implemented strategies leading to five consecutive quarters of organic sales growth, indicating positive momentum [10]. - Hormel has a 5% yield and has increased its dividend annually for over 50 years, earning the title of Dividend King, which reflects a strong commitment to returning value to investors [11].

PresentationWell, we're excited to welcome back the management team of Altria, long-time supporters of CAGNY. For decades, they've been leaders in the tobacco industry with iconic brands led by Marlboro. Today, they're leaders in moving beyond smoking. This includes exciting new products like on! PLUS and advocating for improved enforcement against illicit markets in the U.S., all while supporting strong cash returns to shareholders through the traditional businesses. We also note this is CEO, Billy Gifford ...

Altria Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Altria Group, Inc. - **Industry**: Tobacco and Nicotine Products Key Points Transition to Smoke-Free Products - Altria is transitioning smokers to a smoke-free future while competing for existing smoke-free nicotine consumers and exploring growth opportunities beyond the U.S. and nicotine [3][4] - The U.S. nicotine space is evolving with innovative smoke-free products driving change, creating unprecedented opportunities for Altria's businesses [4] Market Dynamics - In 2025, growth in e-vapor and oral tobacco offset cigarette industry volume declines, leading to a total equivalized nicotine volume growth of approximately 2.5% last year [5] - Over half of the 55 million U.S. nicotine consumers now use smoke-free products, with more than one-third using them exclusively [5] Consumer Segmentation - Altria identifies three consumer groups: 1. **Traditionalists**: Loyal to established brands like Marlboro and Copenhagen [6][7] 2. **Transitioners**: Open to switching to smoke-free alternatives [8] 3. **Variety Seekers**: Early adopters of innovation, seeking different product forms and flavors [9] Product Performance - The oral tobacco category grew by 12.5% last year, with nicotine pouches driving over 40% growth [10] - Altria's oral tobacco products segment grew adjusted OCI by a CAGR of 1.3% over the past five years [10] - The introduction of on! PLUS, a premium nicotine pouch, is expected to meet evolving consumer preferences [11][12] Regulatory Environment - Altria is advocating for improved enforcement against illicit markets, which represent a significant portion of the e-vapor category [17][18] - The company is optimistic about FDA authorizations for new products, including additional flavors and strengths for on! PLUS [13][14] Financial Performance - Altria's smokable product segment has grown adjusted OCI by more than $950 million over the past five years, with adjusted OCI margins expanding to 63.4% [26] - The company has delivered over $100 billion in cash returns to shareholders since the 2008 PMI spinoff, with a recent quarterly dividend increase of 3.9% [35][36] Future Growth Opportunities - Altria is exploring international and non-nicotine opportunities, including energy products through collaboration with Proper Wild [33][34] - The company aims to commercialize at least five non-nicotine products by 2028, with strong consumer interest in energy shots and gummies [34][35] Strategic Initiatives - The Optimize and Accelerate initiative aims to generate at least $600 million in savings to reinvest in growth, enhancing operational and financial flexibility [21][22] - Altria is modernizing its marketing strategies to engage consumers through new channels, including social media and in-person events [14][15] Conclusion - Altria is well-positioned to capture the growing smoke-free opportunity while maintaining strong cash returns and shareholder value through its traditional tobacco businesses [38]

1 | ALCS | CAGNY | 2.18.26 | For Investor Purposes ONLY CAGNY 2026 Safe Harbor Statement ALCS | CAGNY | 2.18.26 | For Investor Purposes ONLY ALCS | CAGNY | 2.18.26 | For Investor Purposes ONLY Statements in this presentation that are not reported financial results or other historical information are "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations, and are not guarantee ...

This Dividend King remains one of the best buy-and-hold investments out there.Altria Group (MO 1.06%), parent company of Philip Morris USA, is not without its controversy. Some may object to adding this quintessential "sin stock" to their portfolios. However, many past investors have benefited from buying and holding this tobacco stock.Including dividends reinvested, Altria shares have generated annualized returns nearing 18% over the past five years. For comparison, the S&P 500 index has delivered annualiz ...

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prevention Ed announced today it has been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million contract through JUUL settlement funds to deliver youth prevention and leadership programming in partnership with Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This funding supports research-aligned prevention programming, youth leadership development, and harm reduction related to nicotine use. A key component is the Montgomery County Teen Senate, where students will lead prevention initiatives, p ...

Key Takeaways Altria guides 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.56-$5.72, up about 2.5-5.5%.MO offsets 10% shipment drop with price hikes, keeping margins above 60%.$1B buybacks and smoke-free investments shape Altria's EPS path through 2026.As Altria Group, Inc. (MO) moves further into 2026, the sustainability of its earnings per share (EPS) growth is drawing close attention. The company expects adjusted EPS of $5.56 to $5.72, representing growth of about 2.5% to 5.5%. While that outlook indicates steady performance, ...

Core Viewpoint - Altria's stock has shown strong performance with a 16% increase in 2026 and a dividend yield of 6.4%, supported by its consistent dividend growth and strategic focus on nicotine products [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Dividend - Altria's stock rose 16% in 2026, outperforming the broader market, and has increased 25% over the past year [1] - The stock offers a dividend yield of approximately 6.4% and is trading less than 2% below its 52-week high of $68.60 [1] - Altria has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years, aiming to pay out about 80% of adjusted earnings per share as dividends [1] Group 2: Market Demand and Product Strategy - The demand for Altria's flagship Marlboro brand remains steady due to nicotine's addictive nature, allowing for price increases even amidst declining cigarette sales [1] - Traditional cigarette sales dropped about 10% in 2025, but Altria is shifting towards smoke-free products, with its on! oral nicotine pouches seeing a 10.9% increase in shipments [1] - Nicotine pouches now account for over 55% of the overall oral tobacco market, with expectations for continued growth through 2036 [1] Group 3: Regulatory Challenges - Altria faced regulatory issues that led to the withdrawal of its NJOY Ace e-vapor product from stores, with no expected return in 2026 [1] - The company is now focusing more on oral nicotine products in response to these challenges [1]

Core Insights - Altria is recognized as an impressive company based on several important financial metrics, although it has a significant flaw [1] Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The investor emphasizes a fundamental approach to stock selection, inspired by renowned investors like Graham, Buffett, and Lynch [1] - The strategy focuses on value prioritization, often leading to contrarian investment decisions [1] - The investor seeks undervalued assets, income opportunities, and underpriced growth prospects, avoiding small-cap or speculative investments [1] Group 2: Investor Motivation - The motivation for writing on Seeking Alpha is to share knowledge and improve both the writer's and readers' investment skills [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] - Sensor Unlimited focuses on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking and financial sectors, and housing markets [2] - The investing group Envision Early Retirement, led by Sensor Unlimited, offers solutions for generating high income and growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [2] Group 2 - Envision Early Retirement features two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] - The group provides direct access via chat for discussing ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [2]