The Nikkei fell 0.44% to 50,526.92, while the broader Topix inched 0.1% higher ‌to 3,426.52. All ‌three major U.S. stock indexes closed nominally lower on Friday, snapping a five-session rally. In ‌Japan, chip-related heavyweights fell, with Advantest and Air conditioning maker Daikin Industries fell 2.02%.Live Events The Nikkei slipped as some large stocks with higher The Topix's rubber maker index slipped ‍1.4% to become the worst performer among the 33 ‌industry sub-indexes. Banks rose as the The T ...

Market Overview - The Nikkei index decreased by 0.5% to 50,517.41, while the broader Topix index saw a slight increase of 0.04% to 3,424.42 [1][7] - All three major U.S. stock indexes closed nominally lower, ending a five-session rally [2][7] Sector Performance - Technology stocks in Japan, particularly chip-related companies, experienced declines, with Advantest and Tokyo Electron falling by 2.17% and 0.9%, respectively [7] - Electronic components maker TDK also saw a decrease of 1.3% [2][7] - Japan Tobacco and Bridgestone reported declines of 1.72% and 0.83%, respectively, as they went ex-dividend [4][5][7] - The rubber maker index within the Topix fell by 0.89%, marking it as one of the worst-performing sectors [6][7] Investment Trends - The Topix's value share index increased by 0.35%, while the growth share index decreased by 0.28% [6][7] - Value shares, which typically offer higher dividends, are expected to rise in January as retail investors purchase them for the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) program [6][7] - The NISA program is expanding, providing tax exemptions on capital gains for retail investors [6][7] Banking Sector - Banks showed positive performance, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group gaining 0.6%, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group rising by 0.63% and 0.76%, respectively [6][7] - The Bank of Japan's discussions indicated a potential need for continued interest rate hikes, influencing bank stock performance [6][7]

Core Insights - The 2024 Year in Review highlights the rise of propaganda, the impact of AI, and the emergence of asset bubbles, particularly in precious metals, while questioning the nature of truth in a rapidly changing technocratic world [3][16]. Group 1: Propaganda and Truth - The current era is characterized as a "Golden Age of Propaganda," where narratives are controlled by elites through mass media and social platforms, leading to a distortion of facts and a loss of shared truths [16][14]. - The author expresses frustration over the erosion of reliable sources of information, suggesting that the overwhelming noise in media makes it difficult to discern fact from fiction [15][20]. Group 2: Precious Metals Market - The report emphasizes a significant interest in precious metals, particularly gold, silver, and platinum, with gold's long-term performance being compared favorably against major stock indices [60][64]. - Gold has shown a remarkable return of over 1309.5% since 2000, outperforming the S&P 500 and NASDAQ over the same period [66]. - The current geopolitical climate, including the actions of the BRIC nations, is pushing countries to reconsider their gold reserves, with the U.S. now holding only 20% of global gold reserves compared to over 50% in the past [70][84]. Group 3: Investment Implications - The report suggests that the demand for gold and silver is being driven by geopolitical tensions and a potential shift in reserve currency dynamics, which could lead to significant price increases [84][89]. - The author notes that the physical gold market is under pressure due to a high paper-to-physical ratio, indicating potential supply shortages that could lead to price spikes [82][100]. - Platinum is highlighted as a rare metal with increasing industrial demand, particularly in the automotive sector, which could lead to supply constraints and rising prices [106][111].

Group 1: Company Overview - Philip Morris International (PMI) was formed from the international operations of Altria in 2008 and primarily sells cigarettes and reduced-risk products outside of the US [8] - The company has expanded its portfolio with the 2023 acquisition of Swedish Match, enhancing its presence in traditional oral tobacco products and nicotine pouches [8] Group 2: Market Position and Analyst Insights - Analysts have set an average target price of $185.0 for Philip Morris International, indicating a positive outlook [9] - JP Morgan maintains an Overweight rating for the stock, aligning with the target price of $185 [10] Group 3: Options Trading Activity - Recent options trading shows a bullish sentiment with 53% of traders favoring calls, while 23% were bearish [1] - The average open interest for options stands at 687.0, with a total volume of 20,417.00, indicating significant trading activity [3] - Whales have targeted a price range from $80.0 to $200.0 for Philip Morris International over the last three months [2] Group 4: Recent Trading Performance - The current stock price of Philip Morris International is $162.66, reflecting a 0.37% increase with a trading volume of 1,753,973 [12] - RSI indicators suggest that the stock may be approaching overbought conditions [12]

Cigarettes have been a staple part of the military community since before World War I. There's evidence of soldiers smoking during the United States-Mexican Border War of 1916 . Ads depicted U.S. soldiers rolling their own cigarettes whileScott Kaufman, aka Treading Softly, learned about investing firsthand from over a decade of financial sector experience. He is the lead analyst for Dividend Kings providing actionable insight into high quality dividend growing and undervalued opportunities. His focus is to ...

Group 1 - British American Tobacco (BTI) is the last remaining giant of the tobacco industry under review, focusing on its strategy of "A Better Tomorrow" [1] - The analyst emphasizes a detail-oriented investment approach, particularly in undervalued sectors like Oil & Gas and consumer goods, which may offer substantial returns [1] - The analyst expresses a preference for long-term value investing while occasionally engaging in deal arbitrage opportunities, citing examples like Microsoft/Activision Blizzard and Spirit Airlines/Jetblue [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific financial data or performance metrics related to British American Tobacco or other companies mentioned [2][3]

GAIL (India) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Chhattisgarh for development of a greenfield gas-based fertiliser project in the state of Chhattisgarh. As per the MoU, GAIL will undertake detailed techno-economic studies for setting up a urea manufacturing plant of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), proposed to be strategically located along GAIL’s Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline (MNJPL) corridor. Based on the techno-economic evaluation, investment de ...

Group 1 - Altria Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the Best Stocks for a Dividend Achievers List, highlighting its strong dividend performance [1] - Bank of America analyst Lisa Lewandowski has reduced the price target for Altria from $66 to $64 while maintaining a Buy rating, indicating a cautious outlook on consumption growth in the consumer staples sector [2] - Despite declining cigarette shipments, Altria has managed to stabilize revenue and earnings through price increases, as tobacco users tend to remain loyal to their preferred brands [2] Group 2 - The dividend is a central aspect of Altria's investment case, with a target payout ratio of about 80% of adjusted earnings per share, which provides flexibility in a slow-growth environment [3] - Altria's portfolio includes well-known tobacco brands such as Marlboro, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Skoal, and Virginia Slims, reinforcing its market presence [4]

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc. are major players in the global tobacco industry, each with unique geographic exposure and strategic focuses [1][2] - Altria has a market capitalization of approximately $98.5 billion, primarily focused on the U.S. market, while Philip Morris has a larger market cap of about $248.6 billion, reflecting its international presence and innovation in reduced-risk products [1][2] Altria's Position - Altria maintains a strong position in the U.S. tobacco market, with a 64.4% adjusted operating companies income margin in Q3 2025, indicating strong pricing power despite declining cigarette volumes [3][6] - The company is investing in smoke-free products, with on! nicotine pouch shipments reaching 133.6 million cans year-to-date, and continues to innovate with products like on! PLUS and Horizon's Ploom [4][8] - Altria increased its quarterly dividend by 3.9% to $1.06 per share in August 2025, marking its 60th dividend increase in 56 years, and expanded its share-repurchase authorization to $2 billion through 2026 [5] - Domestic cigarette shipment volumes declined by 8.2% in Q3, and Marlboro's market share decreased by 1.2 percentage points to 40.4%, highlighting ongoing challenges [6] Philip Morris' Growth - Philip Morris is increasingly focused on smoke-free products, which accounted for 41% of total net revenues and 42% of gross profit in Q3 2025, with shipments growing by 16.6% year-over-year [7][9] - Key smoke-free brands like IQOS, ZYN, and VEEV are driving revenue growth, with IQOS leading in heated tobacco globally [9] - Operational discipline and cost controls have supported margin expansion and earnings growth, while the combustible segment remains under pressure with a 3.2% decline in cigarette shipment volumes [10][11] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Altria's EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of approximately 6.3% for 2025 and 2.3% for 2026, remaining unchanged at $5.44 and $5.56 respectively [12] - For Philip Morris, the consensus estimate implies year-over-year growth of 14.2% for 2025 and 11.3% for 2026, with estimates slightly down to $7.50 and $8.35 [14] Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Altria's shares have increased by 17.4%, while Philip Morris has seen a stronger gain of 33.9% [15] - Altria's forward P/E ratio is 10.54, below its one-year median of 10.80, while Philip Morris' forward P/E ratio stands at 19.17, also below its median of 20.59 [16] Investment Appeal - Philip Morris offers stronger global growth and leadership in reduced-risk products, while Altria provides a compelling value proposition with higher income visibility and resilient margins [17] - Altria is viewed as a better option for income-focused investors seeking stability and consistent returns amid the industry's transition to smoke-free products [17]

Key Takeaways TPB relies on habitual consumer products, helping support steadier demand during economic slowdowns.JNJ benefits from non-discretionary healthcare demand and a diversified pharma and medical tech portfolio.NEE blends regulated utility stability with long-term growth from renewables and energy infrastructure.As investors look ahead to 2026, caution is gradually replacing confidence. After an extended period of market strength, supported by innovation-led growth and steady consumer activity, exp ...