Core Insights - Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) shares experienced a decline of 1.47% over the past month following a previous gain of 7.36% in the month prior [1] Summary by Category - **Stock Performance** - The stock lost 1.47% in the last month [1] - Prior to this decline, the stock had gained 7.36% [1]

Company Overview - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) has a market capitalization of $250.4 billion and operates in over 180 countries, primarily known for its cigarette and smoke-free product brands, including Marlboro, the top-selling international cigarette brand [1] Earnings Expectations - The company is set to announce its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings results on October 21, with analysts predicting an adjusted EPS of $2.11, reflecting a 10.5% increase from $1.91 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, the expected adjusted EPS is $7.52, which represents a 14.5% increase from $6.57 in fiscal 2024 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, shares of Philip Morris have increased by 32%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's rise of 17.6% and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's decline of 5% [4] - Following the Q2 earnings release on July 22, shares dropped by 8.4%, despite reporting a net revenue of $10.1 billion, which grew by 7.1% year-over-year, and an adjusted EPS of $1.91, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.85 with a year-over-year increase of 20.1% [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view among analysts is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Out of 15 analysts, nine recommend "Strong Buy," two suggest "Moderate Buy," and four advise "Hold" [6] - The average analyst price target for Philip Morris is $193.77, indicating a potential upside of 22.7% from current market prices [6]

Core Insights - High-yield dividend stocks can provide significant income but come with risks related to sustainability of payouts [1][2] - Current focus on three high-yield stocks: Pfizer, Verizon, and Altria, which yield over 6% [3] Pfizer - Pfizer offers a dividend yield of 7.2%, with a recent quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share, marking 347 consecutive quarters of dividends [4] - Concerns exist regarding the sustainability of its dividend due to declining revenue from COVID-19 vaccine sales, with a stock price decline of 30% over the past five years [5] - Despite challenges, Pfizer's free cash flow of $12.4 billion exceeds its $9.6 billion in dividend payouts, indicating potential for maintaining its dividend [5][6] Verizon - Verizon has a dividend yield of 6.3% and announced a dividend increase for the 19th consecutive year [7] - The company's payout ratio is 63%, with projected free cash flow between $19.5 billion and $20.5 billion, significantly above its $11.4 billion in annual dividend payments [8] - Verizon's stock has risen by 8% this year, trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 10, making it an attractive investment for stable income [9] Altria - Altria has a dividend yield of 6.5% and a payout ratio of 79%, suggesting sustainability of its dividend [10] - The company's free cash flow over the past four quarters is $8.7 billion, higher than its annual dividend payments of $6.9 billion [10] - Concerns about Altria's long-term viability exist due to declining tobacco use, with 88% of its revenue still coming from smokeable products, raising doubts about future dividend sustainability [11][12]

Core Insights - Understanding the performance of leading European stocks reveals differences compared to American firms, with Europe excelling in fashion and having notable successes in tech and defense [4][8] - Long-term value creation is essential for sustained performance, with firms that consistently excel in customer value, autonomous networks, and adaptive mindsets outperforming others [4][8] Consistently Poor Performers - Diageo PLC: Overall score 8.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 7%/243% [5] - Bayer: Overall score 8.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 20%/243% [5] - Sanofi S.A.: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 50%/243% [5] - National Grid: Overall score 8.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 67%/243% [5] - Adidas: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 173%/243% [5] - Anheuser-Busch InBev: Overall score 8.7/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 50%/243% [5] Mixed Performers - Nestlé S.A.: Overall score 8.9/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 55%/243% [6] - British American Tobacco: Overall score 8.9/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 74%/243% [6] - Unilever PLC: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 94%/243% [6] - Allianz: Overall score 9.3/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 133%/243% [6] - L'Oréal: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 168%/243% [6] - HSBC Holdings: Overall score 8.7/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 203%/243% [6] Consistently Successful Firms - EssilorLuxottica: Overall score 10.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 204%/243% [7] - AXA: Overall score 9.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 218%/243% [7] - Novo Nordisk: Overall score 11.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 103%/243% [7] - Enel: Overall score 9.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 246%/243% [7] - LVMH: Overall score 10.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 291%/243% [7] - Relx: Overall score 9.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 296%/243% [7] - AstraZeneca: Overall score 10.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 300%/243% [7] High Performers - Iberdrola: Overall score 9.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 307%/243% [9] - Siemens: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 309%/243% [9] - Airbus: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 312%/243% [9] - SAP: Overall score 11.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 357%/243% [9] - Zurich Insurance Group: Overall score 9.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 370%/243% [9] - Münchener Rück: Overall score 9.4/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 402%/243% [9] - Linde PLC: Overall score 10.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 424%/243% [9] - ABB: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 444%/243% [9] - Schneider Electric: Overall score 10.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 486%/243% [9] - Hermes: Overall score 11.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 546%/243% [9] - Rheinmetall: Overall score 9.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at +1000%/243% [9] - ASML: Overall score 11.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 1070%/243% [9]

Core Points - Philip Morris International (PMI) U.S. announced a $37 million investment in its manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, aimed at expanding operations and supporting the company's mission to provide smoke-free alternatives to adult smokers [1][2] - The investment is part of PMI U.S.'s broader "Invested in America" platform, which focuses on increasing U.S. manufacturing and innovation capacity through strategic investments [1][5] - The Wilson facility currently employs over 80 full-time staff and produces HEETS for IQOS 3.0, the only heated tobacco product authorized by the FDA as a modified risk tobacco product [2][3] Investment and Economic Impact - The expansion in Wilson is expected to generate economic activity in the local community and reinforce PMI U.S.'s long-term commitment to American manufacturing [1][2] - PMI U.S. has previously invested hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. manufacturing and innovation, including a $232 million expansion in Owensboro, Kentucky, and a $600 million investment in Aurora, Colorado, which together will create nearly 1,000 direct jobs [5] Product Development - The Wilson expansion will add a production line for TEREA, consumables for the IQOS ILUMA heated tobacco system, with premarket tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA on October 20, 2023 [4] - IQOS 3.0 is currently being commercialized in select locations, including Austin, Texas, and Jackson, Mississippi, as well as on military bases [4]

Group 1 - Altria is recognized as a top stock for investors seeking high yield while protecting capital, particularly due to its focus on the U.S. market since its 2008 spinoff from Philip Morris International [1] - The company is transitioning from traditional cigarettes to smoke-free products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, indicating a strategic pivot in its product offerings [1] - Altria's stock has shown improved price performance, earning upgrades in its Relative Strength Rating, reflecting positive market sentiment [3] Group 2 - Altria's stock offers a dividend yield of 7.1%, positioning it as a competitive option among high-yield stocks [3] - The company has successfully mitigated tariff risks associated with its products, enhancing its market stability [3] - Altria has joined an elite group of stocks with Relative Strength Ratings over 90, showcasing its strong market performance [3]

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group's stock has increased by 25% this year, currently trading near all-time highs, while maintaining a high dividend yield of 6.27% [1][2][11] Dividend Yield and Growth - Altria Group has a strong history of dividend growth, with 60 increases in the last 56 years, making it one of the top dividend stocks historically [4] - The dividend yield has decreased from nearly 8% earlier this year to 6.27%, but it remains significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of just over 1% [4] - Over the past decade, Altria's dividend growth has been approximately 87%, contributing to long-term gains for shareholders [5][10] Sustainable Cash Flows - Despite a decline in cigarette usage in the U.S., Altria has managed to grow earnings through consistent price increases, with operating earnings up 4.4% year over year last quarter [6] - Altria is diversifying its product offerings into electronic vaping and nicotine pouches, which are expected to drive long-term growth and counteract declines in cigarette volumes [7] - The company's dividend per share payout over the last 12 months is $4.24, while free cash flow per share is around $5.15, indicating a sustainable capacity for dividend increases [8] Future Outlook - With ongoing price increases, diversification efforts, and a favorable gap between free cash flow and dividend payouts, Altria is positioned to continue its dividend growth over the next decade [10] - A starting dividend yield of 6.27% could potentially yield over 10% on cost basis for shareholders in 10 years, providing consistent income [10]

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) ranks among the top picks for a retirement portfolio. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) and KT&G Corporation, a South Korean tobacco company, signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on September 23 to work together on novel oral nicotine products, non-nicotine products, and conventional tobacco operating efficiency. The agreement includes plans to grow nicotine pouch products across the globe, including the possible extension of Altria’s on! and on! PLUS brands into selec ...

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the top 10 highest dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500, appealing to dividend investors [1] - The company is a leading producer and marketer of tobacco products, including cigarettes and medical products related to tobacco use, but faces uncertainty in its long-term prospects [2] - The tobacco industry is transitioning from traditional combustible cigarettes to smoke-free products, which will significantly impact Altria's future value as growth in traditional tobacco slows [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, approximately 83% of Altria's operating income was derived from traditional smokeable products, while only 17% came from oral tobacco and nicotine offerings, indicating that smoke-free products are not yet a major revenue driver [4] - Altria has a strong dividend history, having raised its dividends 60 times over the past 56 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share with a dividend yield of 6.45% as of September 27 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential of Altria Group as a stable investment option, particularly for conservative investors looking to balance their portfolios against the volatility of hypergrowth AI stocks. Group 1: Company Overview - Altria Group is a tobacco and nicotine giant with a diverse product portfolio, including Marlboro cigarettes, oral tobacco products, cigars, and electronic nicotine vapes [3] - The company has a significant investment in Anheuser Busch, further diversifying its revenue streams [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Altria has optimized profits despite a long-term decline in cigarette usage in the U.S. through price increases, cost cuts, and financialization, resulting in a 59% growth in consolidated free cash flow over the last decade, reaching $8.7 billion in the past 12 months [4] - The stock currently offers a dividend yield of 6.27%, with dividends per share having increased by 87.6% over the past 10 years [6] - The company generates free cash flow per share of $5.15, which exceeds its annual dividend per share of $4.24, indicating a sustainable dividend growth potential [7] Group 3: Future Growth and Strategy - Altria is investing in new nicotine categories, including a partnership with KT&G Corporation to explore new nicotine pouch brands and energy investments [5] - The On! nicotine pouch brand reported a 26.5% volume growth last quarter, showcasing the company's focus on expanding beyond traditional tobacco products [5] Group 4: Market Resilience - Tobacco businesses like Altria tend to remain stable during economic downturns, with tobacco and nicotine usage often improving in tough economic conditions [9] - Altria is positioned as a counterbalance to high-volatility AI stocks, providing a steady cash return and potential resilience during market crashes [10]