Group 1 - The focus is on growth and dividend income as a strategy for retirement planning [1] - The portfolio is structured to generate monthly dividend income that grows through reinvestment and annual increases [1] Group 2 - The article expresses personal opinions and is not intended as investment advice [2] - It emphasizes the importance of conducting individual research before making investment decisions [2]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend stocks provide high yields and growth catalysts that can support payouts for decades, making them attractive for passive income investors [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Overview - Building passive income through dividend-paying stocks allows investors to secure financial freedom by generating regular cash distributions [2]. - Dividend stocks combine income with potential long-term capital appreciation, offering protection against inflation through rising distributions [3]. Group 2: Company-Specific Insights - Philip Morris International offers a 3.6% yield with an 80% payout ratio, supported by its transformation towards smoke-free products, which generated 39% of 2024 revenue [6][7]. - Pfizer provides a 7.14% yield at 7.7 times forward earnings, with projected revenue of $61 billion to $64 billion in 2025, driven by various growth products and an acquisition of Metsera for up to $7.3 billion [8][9]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - Philip Morris trades at a discount with a forward earnings ratio of 19.4 compared to 22 for the S&P 500, while maintaining a credible path to smoke-free growth [7]. - Pfizer's high payout ratio of 90% presents execution risks, but management's commitment to dividends and lower expense guidance suggest a compelling risk-reward balance [9][11]. Group 4: Passive Income Strategy - Both Philip Morris and Pfizer offer different paths to passive income, with a combined yield of approximately 5.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average [10]. - Sustainable yields backed by strong business fundamentals are crucial for passive income investing, with both companies demonstrating potential despite facing regulatory challenges [11].

Australia is facing an explosion in the tobacco black market that’s now the country’s biggest public-health threat, the government says https://t.co/LS4cZuVGuU ...

Core Insights - The survey indicates strong global support for smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes, with 78% of respondents agreeing that adult smokers should have access to better options [2][3] - There is significant concern (76%) that public health decisions are influenced more by ideology than by scientific evidence [3][6] - Countries that adopt smoke-free products have experienced declines in cigarette sales and smoking rates, highlighting the demand for evidence-based policies [4] Group 1: Public Support for Smoke-Free Alternatives - 80% of adults believe that smokers should have access to smoke-free options [1] - 74% of respondents think that encouraging smokers to switch to these products can improve public health [2] - 78% of respondents want their governments to consider scientific evidence regarding smoke-free alternatives before imposing restrictions [3] Group 2: Concerns Over Public Health Policies - 76% of respondents are concerned that decisions are made based on ideology rather than science [3][6] - 58% agree that it is wrong for governments to ban less harmful alternatives while allowing cigarette sales [6] - 61% believe it is a public health failure that 29% of the global adult population lives in countries where smoke-free alternatives are banned [6] Group 3: Market Access and Regulatory Environment - Over 190 million smokers in more than 20 countries lack legal access to smoke-free products, despite the availability of harmful cigarettes [5] - 82% of legal-age smokers in countries with bans on smoke-free products want the opportunity to purchase them legally [6] - The survey highlights a strong desire for governments to adopt policies that align with scientific findings, particularly in countries with existing bans [3][6] Group 4: Company Position and Investment - Philip Morris International has invested over $14 billion since 2008 in developing smoke-free products, aiming to end cigarette sales [8] - As of June 30, 2025, smoke-free products accounted for 41% of PMI's total net revenues [8] - PMI's smoke-free products are available in 97 markets, with over 41 million legal-age consumers using them [8]

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group Inc. shares surged 39.07% in pre-market trading to $2.10 following a $9.5 million insurance settlement that resolves business interruption claims from the Grass Valley incident in November 2022 [1][2] Financial Position - The settlement signifies a pivotal moment for the company, which is now debt-free, with CEO Larry Firestone stating that the balance sheet has been cleaned up over the past 22 months [2] - The company aims to achieve profitability by 2026, transitioning from survival capital to growth capital, focusing on expanding distribution for its VLN-branded products and partnerships [2] Settlement Details - The insurers are required to pay the $9.5 million settlement within 45 days of the agreement's effective date [3] Market Performance - The stock reached a one-month peak of $1.97 on September 19 but closed at $1.51, reflecting a decline of approximately 23.35% from that high [4] - Over the past year, the stock has seen a dramatic loss of 99.82%, with a 52-week trading range of $1.51 to $978.08 [4] - The company's market capitalization is currently $5.71 million, with an average daily trading volume of 1.19 million shares [4] Price Action - On the last trading day, the stock closed at $1.51, down 4.43% [5] - Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate a negative price trend for XXII across all time frames [5]

MIAOLI, Taiwan, Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While the global tobacco industry continues to struggle under the triple pressures of tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and soaring raw material costs, Alishan Group set off fireworks today at InterTabac with a “full-chain warhead.” At the 2025 Dortmund International Tobacco Fair (InterTabac), which opened on September 18, the industry’s “hidden giant” with over 20 years of expertise and hundreds of core patents, unveiled its global, all-category, full-chain ...

One of the world's biggest tobacco companies is doubling down on cheap cigarettes https://t.co/tx5eJhAyd3 ...

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group has settled all claims related to the Grass Valley incident for a one-time payment of $9.5 million, which will be paid by insurers within 45 days [1][2] - The company is now debt-free, marking a transition from survival capital to growth capital, and is positioned to focus on driving profitability by 2026 [2] Company Overview - 22nd Century Group is a leader in the tobacco harm reduction movement, enabling smokers to manage their nicotine consumption [3] - The company has developed proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants that contain 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco [4] Product Information - The flagship product, VLN cigarette, is designed for traditional smokers, offering a combustible alternative with 95% less nicotine, proven to help reduce nicotine consumption [5] - VLN cigarette is the only low nicotine combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA in the United States [6]

Core Insights - Altria Group has entered a global memorandum of understanding with KT&G Corporation to collaborate on oral nicotine, wellness products, and efficiency improvements in traditional tobacco operations [1][9] Strategic Partnership - The partnership allows Altria to diversify revenue streams beyond cigarettes while enabling KT&G to leverage Altria's distribution network for global expansion [2] - Altria's subsidiary will acquire an ownership interest in Another Snus Factory Stockholm AB, coinciding with KT&G's acquisition of the same [3] Product Expansion and Market Entry - The collaboration aims to grow global demand for pouch products, including Altria's on! and on! PLUS brands [3] - Through KT&G's Korea Ginseng Corporation, the partners will explore entry into the U.S. energy and wellness market, combining KGC's expertise with Altria's retail presence [4] Operational Efficiency - Altria and KT&G will share best practices to enhance efficiency in cigarette manufacturing and supply chains, which may also support international nicotine product growth [5] Financial Performance - Altria's smokeable products segment achieved a net price realization of 10% in Q2 2025, leading to a 4.2% increase in adjusted operating income and a margin expansion of 290 basis points to 64.5% [6] - Marlboro brand expanded its market share in the premium category to 59.5%, demonstrating effective brand management [7] - The on! nicotine pouch brand saw a 26.5% increase in shipments in Q2, with adjusted operating income rising by 10.9% and margins expanding by 310 basis points to 68.7% [8] Market Challenges - Domestic cigarette shipments decreased by 10.2% in Q2, reflecting industry-wide declines and increased competition from flavored disposable e-vapor products [10]

Group 1 - Forrester announced mBank and Philip Morris International as the 2025 winners of its Technology Strategy Impact and Enterprise Architecture Awards for the EMEA region [1] - The awards recognize organizations for maximizing the value of their technology investments to drive tangible business results [1] - The presentation of the awards will take place at Forrester's Technology & Innovation Summit EMEA [1]