Core Insights - Companies with a long history of dividend increases are likely candidates for future dividend raises, indicating stability and reliability in their financial performance [1]. Company Summaries - **Procter & Gamble**: The company has raised its dividend for 69 years, with a recent revenue increase of 2% to $84.3 billion and operating cash flow of $17.8 billion. Its forward yield is approximately 3% [2]. - **Johnson & Johnson**: This company has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, recently raising it by 4.8%. In the last quarter, revenue rose 7% to $24 billion, and per-share earnings surged 91% to $2.12. The company also raised its 2025 sales outlook [3]. - **Altria**: Altria has increased its dividend to $1.06 from $1.02, marking the 60th increase in 56 years. From 2020 to 2024, it has paid out $32 billion in dividends and conducted $7.8 billion in stock buybacks. Altria is known for its Marlboro brand [4]. - **Coca-Cola**: The company announced its 63rd consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend by approximately 5.2% from 48.5 cents to 51 cents per share. Coca-Cola reported revenue of $12.5 billion, up 5%, with earnings rising 30% to $0.86 per share [5].

Core Viewpoint - Universal Corporation (UVV) is recognized as a Dividend King with a 6% yield and a 55-year history of dividend growth, despite operating in a stagnant industry [1] Company Overview - Universal Corporation is a small importer-exporter in a stagnant industry [1] - The company is known for its long-standing commitment to dividend growth, appealing to dividend growth investors [1] Investment Focus - The focus is on undervalued large-cap stocks with sustainable dividend growth and potential for capital appreciation [1] - There is also an interest in tech and small- or mid-cap stocks for their growth potential, regardless of dividend status [1] Analyst Performance - The analyst is ranked in the top 2.0% out of over 28,000 financial bloggers as of December 2023, indicating a strong track record in investment analysis [1]

Key Takeaways MO doubled its share repurchase authorization to $2B and extended the program's expiration to Dec. 31, 2026.MO repurchased 12.3M shares for $712M in the first nine months of 2025, including 1.9M shares bought in Q3.MO plans to spread repurchases through 2026 keeping buybacks a consistent part of the capital return strategy.Altria Group, Inc. ((MO) recently made a notable move in its capital allocation strategy, with its management authorizing an expansion of the existing share repurchase progr ...

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group Inc. continues to thrive in a challenging economic environment, supported by a strong dividend history and significant cash flow, making it an attractive investment option despite the declining cigarette usage trend in the U.S. [1][2][6] Financial Performance - Altria's revenue for the most recent quarter was $5.3 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline, while adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6% to $1.23 [7] - The company maintains a guidance of a 2% to 5% increase in EPS for the full year, indicating confidence in its financial outlook [7] Dividend Policy - Altria has raised its dividend for 56 consecutive years, with a current dividend of $4.24, resulting in a forward yield of 7.3%, enhancing its appeal during stock market downturns [2][4] - The company plans to continue increasing its dividend through 2028, supported by strong cash flow and a robust balance sheet [2] Market Context - Approximately 29 million Americans smoke cigarettes, contributing to Altria's sustained revenue despite a modest decline in overall cigarette use over the past decade [4][6] - The ongoing affordability crisis, characterized by rising prices for essential goods, positions Altria's products as inflation-proof, potentially making it a favorable investment choice [5][8]

Core Points - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the marketing of six nicotine pouch products owned by Altria [1] - This authorization is part of a pilot program designed to expedite the review process for such products [1] Company Summary - Altria has received FDA approval for six of its nicotine pouch products, indicating a significant step in the company's product portfolio expansion [1] - The pilot program aims to streamline the regulatory process for nicotine products, potentially benefiting Altria and similar companies in the industry [1] Industry Summary - The FDA's initiative reflects a broader trend towards the regulation and acceptance of alternative nicotine delivery systems [1] - The approval of these products may influence market dynamics and competition within the nicotine pouch segment [1]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend growth stocks as a stable investment option for long-term wealth creation, particularly focusing on high-quality companies that lead their industries [2][3] - Cash Builder Opportunities, led by a seasoned financial advisor with 14 years of experience, specializes in closed-end funds, dividend growth stocks, and option writing to enhance income for investors [3] - The service offers model portfolios and research to assist investors in making informed decisions, along with an active chat room for real-time discussions [3]

Core Viewpoint - Tobacco stocks, particularly Altria, have historically provided strong returns but are currently facing challenges due to declining cigarette sales and setbacks in transitioning to next-generation products [2][3]. Performance Analysis - Over one, three, and five-year periods, Altria has underperformed the S&P 500 in terms of price appreciation but has outperformed on a total-return basis over the last year and five years [4][6]. - Altria's stock performance has been modest over the long term, with a significant impact from failed investments in Juul and Cronos Group [7]. Dividend Insights - Altria is primarily favored by investors for its high dividend yield, currently at 7.2%, and a strong history of annual dividend increases, having raised its dividend 60 times in the last 56 years [9]. - The company’s reliable cash flow supports its dividend strategy, making it attractive for dividend-focused investors [11]. Future Outlook - Despite the decline in cigarette sales, Altria aims to enhance profits through price increases on cigarettes and new product launches, including Njoy and On! [10]. - The stock is currently trading at a low price-to-earnings ratio of 11.3, indicating potential for price gains alongside its strong dividend [11].

Core Insights - The article provides an overview of the daily routine and leadership philosophy of Stacey Kennedy, the US CEO of Philip Morris International (PMI), highlighting her extensive experience within the company and her focus on innovation and strategic planning. Group 1: Leadership and Experience - Stacey Kennedy has been with PMI since 1995, holding various positions before becoming the US CEO in January 2023 [1][2] - She has spent half of her career in the US and half internationally, indicating a broad understanding of global markets [3] Group 2: Daily Routine - Kennedy starts her day early, focusing on personal well-being to enhance her leadership effectiveness [4][5] - Her mornings are filled with meetings and strategic planning, emphasizing the importance of innovation and urgency in the business [7][8] - The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, featuring open spaces and coffee corners [7] Group 3: Strategic Focus - PMI is actively involved in regulatory matters, working with policymakers to ensure adult smokers have access to better alternatives [8] - The company is expanding its manufacturing capabilities with a flagship factory in Owensboro, Kentucky, and a new factory in Aurora, Colorado [8] Group 4: Meeting Management - Kennedy's calendar is typically scheduled a year in advance, with fixed global management team and board meetings [9] - The company employs P.O.D.D. meetings to address issues and seize opportunities effectively [10] Group 5: Personal Insights - Kennedy emphasizes the importance of gratitude practices to maintain a positive perspective amidst a demanding job [16] - She maintains a Mediterranean-style diet and prioritizes family time, reflecting a balance between work and personal life [17][18]

Economic Outlook - Increasing discussions about a potential recession in 2026 as the economy shows signs of slowing after a prolonged expansion [1] - Current U.S. economy described as stable but uneven, with household spending focusing more on essentials rather than discretionary items [2] - Businesses facing margin pressure due to higher costs and selective consumer behavior, raising the risk of slower growth heading into 2026 [2] Consumer-Staple Sector - In uncertain or low-growth periods, investors tend to shift from cyclical sectors to consumer-staple stocks, which have steady demand and predictable cash flows [3] - Consumer-staple companies sell essential products that consumers continue to purchase regardless of economic conditions, benefiting from strong brands and effective cost management [4] Investment Opportunities - Three consumer-staple stocks identified as strong investment opportunities: Estee Lauder (EL), Turning Point Brands (TPB), and Monster Beverage (MNST) [5] - All three companies have gained over 35% in the past year and hold a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating favorable earnings trends and strong fundamentals [5] Estee Lauder (EL) - Estee Lauder shows early recovery signs with a focus on innovation and efficiency, supported by its Beauty Reimagined strategy [9][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EL's EPS suggests growth of 41.7% and nearly 36% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [11] Turning Point Brands (TPB) - TPB has experienced significant growth of 87.3% over the past year, combining stable cash flows from legacy brands with growth from modern oral nicotine products [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPB's EPS indicates growth of 50.6% and 7.1% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [14] Monster Beverage (MNST) - MNST has gained 46.2% in the past year, benefiting from a growing global energy drink market and strong brand loyalty [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MNST's EPS suggests growth of 22.2% and 13.2% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [17] Conclusion - If economic growth slows in 2026, consumer-staple stocks like EL, TPB, and MNST may provide relative stability due to their essential products and strong brand positioning [18]

Nicotine-pouch use is growing in Britain especially among young men, a study in the Lancet medical journal found, a trend that could be cut short by a government ban on sales to people under the age of 18 https://t.co/cqdPcEH1Un ...