Group 1 - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is recognized as one of the 15 Best Blue-Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends [1] - Ferrari N.V. has renewed and expanded its partnership with Philip Morris, which will take effect on January 1, 2026 [2][3] - The new agreement designates Philip Morris as a Premium Partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP and Series Partner of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli [3] Group 2 - The partnership between Ferrari and Philip Morris has lasted over 50 years, emphasizing a long-standing collaboration [4] - Stefano Volpetti, President of Smoke-Free Products at PMI, highlighted the commitment to innovation and the replacement of cigarettes through this partnership [4] - Philip Morris operates in over 180 countries, with Marlboro being its most recognized brand [5]

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola is positioned to be a more compelling long-term investment compared to Altria, the leading tobacco company, due to its diversified product portfolio and growth potential in a changing market landscape [5]. Group 1: Altria Overview - Altria is a leading tobacco company in America, known for its flagship Marlboro brand, which holds nearly half of the retail cigarette market [2]. - The company is expanding its portfolio with smoke-free products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches as adult smoking rates decline [2]. - Altria has consistently increased its dividend since spinning off its international business in 2008, currently offering a forward yield of 7.2% and trading at ten times forward earnings [3]. Group 2: Coca-Cola Overview - Coca-Cola has developed a diverse range of products beyond its traditional sugary sodas, including bottled water, fruit juices, teas, and alcoholic beverages, which has helped mitigate the decline in soda consumption [8]. - The company reported organic sales growth of 16% in 2022, 12% in 2023, and is projected to maintain 12% growth in 2024, contrasting with Altria's declining sales [9]. - Coca-Cola operates a capital-light business model, producing only concentrates and syrups, which allows for high gross margins and more cash for marketing and dividends [10]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Outlook - Analysts expect Coca-Cola's adjusted EPS to grow at a CAGR of 6% from 2024 to 2027, while Altria's adjusted EPS is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% [12]. - Coca-Cola has a forward dividend yield of 2.9% and has raised its payout for 63 consecutive years, making it a "Dividend King" [13]. - Over the past decade, Coca-Cola has delivered a total return of 126%, while Altria's total return was 99%, indicating Coca-Cola's stronger long-term performance [14]. Group 4: Market Trends and Future Prospects - The S&P 500 is near its all-time high, and the Federal Reserve is expected to cut benchmark rates in 2026, which may lead investors to favor dividend stocks like Coca-Cola over growth stocks [16]. - Coca-Cola is anticipated to benefit from this trend, positioning it as a better investment option compared to Altria for 2026 and beyond [16].

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is observing significant growth in the e-vapor category, with U.S. adult usage projected to reach approximately 21 million consumers by the end of Q3 2025, primarily driven by disposable products [1][9] E-Vapor Market Dynamics - The recent growth in the e-vapor market is largely attributed to disposable e-vapor products, which have added around 2.4 million users and now represent over 60% of the category. These products are typically flavored, low-priced, and widely available, although many lack FDA authorization [2][9] - Altria's e-vapor business, centered around the NJOY brand, focuses on FDA-authorized products, which limits its participation in the segment that is driving most of the new user adoption [2] Regulatory Environment - Altria has advocated for stronger enforcement against unauthorized e-vapor products. Federal agencies have recently intensified actions against illicit e-vapor, including coordinated raids and large-scale seizures, indicating increased regulatory scrutiny in the category [3][9] Financial Performance and Valuation - Altria recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $873 million in its e-vapor business during the first nine months of 2025, reflecting the challenges faced in this segment [4] - The company's shares have increased by 1% over the past month, compared to the industry's growth of 1.6% [8] - Altria's forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at 10.57X, which is lower than the industry average of 14.19X [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Altria's 2025 earnings per share has increased by 1 cent to $5.44, while the estimate for 2026 has decreased by 1 cent to $5.56 [11]

Core Insights - Altria has a current dividend yield of 7%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average, although it is below its five-year average of 7.7% [1][6] - The company has increased its annual dividend for 56 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King, with a target payout ratio of around 80% of adjusted earnings per share [6] Financial Metrics - Altria's annual dividend is $4.24 per share, requiring ownership of 472 shares to generate $500 in annual dividend income, equating to a total investment of approximately $27,716 at the current stock price of $58.72 [2][5] - The current market capitalization of Altria is $99 billion, with a stock price of $59.32 [5] Business Performance - Altria's business is facing challenges due to a decline in the number of U.S. adult smokers, leading to reduced volume; however, the company has managed to offset some of this decline through its pricing power [4] - Despite stagnant revenue growth, Altria has maintained a gross margin of 71.98% [6]

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Altria Group has announced that CEO Billy Gifford will step down after the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 14, 2026. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Salvatore “Sal” Mancuso has been selected to succeed him. Heather Newman, senior vice president and chief strategy and growth officer, will take Mancuso’s place as CFO after the transi ...

After several reports were published on Friday stating that President Donald Trump was seeking to reclassify marijuana , companies such as the Cronos Group Inc. ( CRON ) saw significant gainsMy primary area of concentration will be on identifying companies of exceptional caliber, with a proven ability to reinvest capital for impressive returns. The ideal scenario is for these companies to demonstrate a long-term capability of capital compounding, with a high enough compound annual growth rate to potentially ...

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group has shown a total return of 13.5% over the past year, primarily driven by high dividend payments, but it still underperformed compared to the S&P 500's total return of 15.6% [2][3]. Performance Analysis - Altria's stock price increased by 6.9% over the past year, which is significantly lower than the S&P 500's increase of 13.8% [2]. - A $1,000 investment in Altria would have grown to $1,135, while the same investment in the S&P 500 would have reached $1,156 [3]. Dividend Insights - Altria has a strong focus on dividends, with the board recently increasing the payout by 3.9% to $1.06 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 7.2%, which is substantially higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.1% [4][6]. Business Challenges - Altria's revenue from smokeable products, particularly cigarettes, has been declining, with a 1.3% drop in the third quarter to $4.6 billion. The company is facing challenges with falling cigarette volume and a decrease in market share, especially for its Marlboro brand [5]. Investment Considerations - Despite the attractive dividend yield, the long-term business prospects for Altria appear bleak, leading to a recommendation to avoid investing in the shares [5].

Sales of vapes, cigarettes and other tobacco products slumped more than any other grocery category in the UK, a survey showed, a sign that tighter regulations and health concerns are curbing smoking habits https://t.co/xgfED1x6c8 ...

Core Viewpoint - The individual investor adopts a contrarian investment style, focusing on deep value opportunities, particularly in stocks that have recently experienced sell-offs due to non-recurrent events, while also considering insider buying as a positive signal [1] Investment Strategy - The investment portfolio is split approximately 50%-50% between shares and call options, indicating a balanced approach between equity and derivatives [1] - The investor's timeframe for holding positions typically ranges from 3 to 24 months, suggesting a medium-term investment horizon [1] - Fundamental analysis is employed to assess the health of companies, including their leverage and financial ratios compared to sector and industry averages [1] - Technical analysis is utilized to optimize entry and exit points, with a focus on support and resistance levels on weekly charts [1] Stock Selection Criteria - Preference is given to stocks that have undergone a recent sell-off, particularly when there is insider buying at the new lower price, indicating potential recovery [1] - The investor screens through thousands of stocks, primarily in the US, but is open to owning shares in less stable markets, referred to as "banana republics" [1] - Professional background checks are conducted on insiders who purchase shares post-sell-off to ensure credibility and alignment with shareholder interests [1]

STAMFORD, CT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: The Board of Directors of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.47 per common share, payable on January 14, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 26, 2025. The ex-dividend date is December 26, 2025. For more details on stock, dividends and other information, see www.pmi.com/dividend. Philip Morris International: A Global Smoke-Free Champion Philip Morris International is a leading in. ...