Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc. are navigating a transforming tobacco market with distinct strategies, focusing on smoke-free alternatives and maintaining strong brand presence [1][2] Altria Group, Inc. - Altria's pricing power is a key factor in its financial resilience, with a 10% net price realization in smokeable products leading to a 4.2% increase in adjusted operating companies income (OCI) in Q2 2025 [6] - The oral tobacco segment, particularly the on! nicotine pouch brand, saw shipments rise 26.5% year over year, contributing to a 10.9% increase in adjusted OCI [7] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased 8.3% year over year to $1.44 in Q2 2025, with revenues net of excise taxes at $5.29 billion [8] - Marlboro maintains a 59.5% share in the premium category, showcasing Altria's strong market position and ability to adapt to a smoke-free future [10] Philip Morris International Inc. - Philip Morris's growth is driven by smoke-free products, which accounted for 41% of total net revenues and 42% of gross profit in Q3 2025 [11] - Shipments of IQOS, ZYN, and VEEV showed significant growth, with IQOS shipments up 15.5% to 41 billion units, maintaining a 76% global share in heated tobacco [12] - Adjusted operating income rose 12.4% to $4.7 billion, with adjusted EPS increasing 17.3% to $2.24, supported by strong performance in smoke-free products [13] - Despite a 3.2% decline in cigarette shipment volumes, Philip Morris managed a 4.3% increase in net revenues through pricing strategies [14] Market Performance - Altria's stock has gained 25.3% over the past year, outperforming Philip Morris's 13.1% increase and the broader S&P 500's 20.6% rise [21] - Altria is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 11.41, while Philip Morris's forward P/E ratio stands at 18.24 [20] Investment Outlook - Altria is positioned as a better investment for income-focused investors due to its attractive valuation, robust pricing power, and growing smoke-free momentum, while Philip Morris offers stronger global growth potential [22]

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group Inc. shares surged 39.07% to $2.10 after receiving a $9.5 million insurance settlement related to a business interruption claim from the November 2022 Grass Valley incident [1] Financial Position - CEO Larry Firestone stated that the settlement marks a transition for the company from a cleanup phase to a growth phase, enhancing its balance sheet with significant cash resources to support strategic execution [2] Product Focus - The company is dedicated to expanding its core business, particularly through its VLN product line, which aims to strengthen its position in tobacco harm reduction [2] - 22nd Century Group utilizes proprietary VLN tobacco, which contains 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco, in its VLN and Partner VLN reduced-nicotine cigarettes [3] Regulatory Compliance - The VLN products are the first and only combusted tobacco products to comply with the FDA's proposed standard for nicotine yield in cigarettes [4] Earnings and Stock Performance - In the second quarter, the company reported a loss of $13.16 per share, significantly higher than the estimated loss of $6.21 per share [5] - The company is set to report third-quarter earnings on November 4 [5] - The stock has fluctuated between $1.43 and $394.02 over the past year, with a current market capitalization of $5.71 million [5] - At the close of trading on Tuesday, shares fell 0.66% to $1.51 [5] Stock Trends - Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate that XXII is trending downward across all time frames [6]

The market remains hesitant to give the Zyn maker a higher valuation.On Oct. 21, Philip Morris International (PM 2.22%) released its latest quarterly earnings. While the tobacco giant reported "beat and raise" results for the second quarter in a row, updates to guidance fell short of Wall Street's expectations.Shares have pulled back, albeit to a lesser degree than what occurred when the company last reported quarterly results back in July. Although the stock may be finding support as investors buy the dip, ...

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group, Inc. has received $9.5 million in cash from a settlement agreement with its insurer related to business interruption from the Grass Valley incident in November 2022 [1][2] - The settlement marks a transition for the company from a cleanup phase to a growth phase, providing meaningful cash resources to execute its strategy [2] - The company aims to expand its position in the tobacco harm reduction movement with its VLN products, which contain 95% less nicotine [2][4] Company Overview - 22nd Century Group is focused on pioneering the tobacco harm reduction movement, enabling smokers to control their nicotine consumption [3] - The company has developed proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants using patented technologies, resulting in a product with 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco [4] Product Information - The flagship product, VLNcigarette, is designed to provide traditional cigarette smokers with a familiar alternative that helps them manage their nicotine intake [5] - VLNcigarettes are the only low nicotine combustible cigarettes authorized by the FDA in the United States [6]

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs recognized Mark Hanson, Co-Founder and President of Black Buffalo Inc., as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2025 at the Builders and Innovators Summit [1][2] - The Summit focused on building enduring companies and advancing innovation, featuring leaders from various industries [1][2] - Black Buffalo has achieved significant milestones, including expanded national retail distribution and growth of its Herd Rewards loyalty program [1][3] Company Overview - Black Buffalo, founded in 2015, is a leading provider of smokeless tobacco alternative products, supported by over 25,000 hours of research and development [3] - The company has been recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for four consecutive years, with the latest recognition in 2025 [3] - Black Buffalo's products are designed for adult consumers aged 21 and older, containing pharmaceutical-grade, tobacco-derived nicotine [5] Industry Recognition - The Builders and Innovators Summit is a prestigious event celebrating exceptional entrepreneurs, with past honorees leading multi-billion dollar companies [2] - David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, praised Black Buffalo for redefining industry paradigms under Hanson's leadership [2]

In recent years the operating margin on a cigarette sold in America has grown from about 50% to about 60%. We explain how a dying industry is thriving https://t.co/7lU9YPKeFo ...

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group, Inc. is set to report its third-quarter 2025 earnings on October 30, with expected revenues of $5.32 billion, reflecting a 0.4% decline year-over-year, while earnings per share are projected to grow by 4.4% to $1.44 [1][5] Earnings Performance - Altria has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 3.3%, with the last quarter's earnings exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.1% [2] - The current Zacks Rank for Altria is 2 (Buy), but it has an Earnings ESP of -0.04%, indicating uncertainty regarding an earnings beat this quarter [3][4] Factors Influencing Q3 Earnings - Strong pricing power, disciplined cost management, and momentum in smoke-free initiatives are expected to drive Q3 results [5] - Volume softness in traditional cigarettes is noted due to inflationary pressures, but robust pricing actions and strategic portfolio management are anticipated to offset this weakness [5] Key Growth Drivers - The high-margin oral tobacco business, particularly the growth of on! nicotine pouches, is a significant contributor to earnings resilience [6] - Continued consumer engagement through marketing efforts is expected to enhance brand equity and repeat usage [6][8] Stock Performance - Over the past three months, Altria's stock has increased by 7.4%, outperforming the Zacks Tobacco industry's breakeven performance and the Consumer Staples sector's decline of 3.6% [7] - Compared to competitors, Altria has outperformed Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, while underperforming Turning Point Brands [7] Valuation Analysis - Altria shares are trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 11.49, below the industry average of 14.49, indicating compelling value for investors [9] - The valuation gap is notable when compared to competitors, with Philip Morris at 18.66 and Turning Point Brands at 23.94 [11] Investment Outlook - Altria's strong pricing strategies and expansion of smoke-free products, particularly on! nicotine pouches, position the company as an attractive investment option [12] - With steady earnings growth and solid cash flow, Altria is viewed as a reliable choice for stability and long-term returns in the consumer staples sector [12]

Investment Opportunities - Companies in the mining sector are demonstrating greater capital discipline and generating substantial free cash flow, allowing for continued capital returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [1] - Gold miners are expected to deliver robust dividends due to a recent surge in gold demand [1] - Emerging market debt has outperformed emerging market stocks on average since 1997, benefiting from lower interest rates [2] Small-Cap and Value Stocks - Small-cap value stocks are highlighted as being very rate-sensitive and are expected to benefit from the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting cycle [3] - Investors are encouraged to diversify their portfolios by including small, undervalued stocks alongside large-cap growth stocks [3] Cash and Low-Risk Yields - Americans currently hold nearly $20 trillion in cash, including $7 trillion in money market funds, which have provided substantial returns in recent years [5] - With the Federal Reserve resuming its rate-cutting cycle, investors are exploring new opportunities for deploying cash [6] Gold and Bitcoin - A strategy suggested includes allocating half of the investment into gold and half into bitcoin, as both assets are seen as hedges against a declining US dollar and rising global sovereign debt [7] - Central banks are increasingly purchasing gold and bitcoin, indicating strong structural tailwinds for these assets [8] International Stocks - European and UK stocks are considered attractive due to their lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios compared to US stocks, along with larger dividends [10][11] - A potential decline in the US dollar could amplify returns for US investors in international investments [12] AI and Technology Investments - The AI sector is viewed as still having growth potential, with investments suggested in both Chinese and US AI stocks [14][15] - Companies involved in the infrastructure build-out related to AI, such as semiconductors and industrial firms, are recommended for investment [17] Healthcare and Diversification - The healthcare sector is suggested as a counterbalance to technology investments, with expectations of normalization in certain lagging areas [18] - Managed care and health maintenance organization (HMO) stocks are identified as attractive due to expected earnings growth and low valuations [20] Value Opportunities - Companies with low earnings multiples and at trough levels are seen as having significant upside potential [20] - Firms tied to housing turnover and those trading at a "headquarter discount" are highlighted as attractive investment opportunities [22]

Core Insights - Altria (MO) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.44 per share, reflecting a 4.4% increase year-over-year, while revenues are forecasted at $5.32 billion, indicating a 0.4% decline compared to the previous year [1] - Analysts have revised the consensus EPS estimate down by 0.3% over the last 30 days, suggesting a reevaluation of initial estimates by analysts [1][2] Revenue Estimates - Revenues net of excise taxes for Oral tobacco products are projected to be $713.65 million, showing a year-over-year increase of 2.7% [4] - Revenues net of excise taxes for Smokeable Products are expected to reach $4.64 billion, reflecting a slight decline of 0.2% from the same quarter last year [4] Operating Income Estimates - Operating Income for Oral tobacco products is estimated at $486.18 million, compared to $464.00 million from the previous year [5] - Adjusted Operating Income for Smokeable Products is anticipated to be $3.00 billion, up from $2.94 billion reported in the same quarter last year [5] Stock Performance - Altria shares have decreased by 1.6% over the past month, contrasting with a 2.5% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [5] - The company holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating expectations of outperforming the overall market in the near term [5]

Industry Performance - Cigarette and cigar makers are expected to make $22 billion of operating profit in America this year [1] Market Trends - Unlike other industries where vanishing customers lead to suffering, the cigarette and cigar industry is expected to thrive [1]