Core Viewpoint - Altria's high dividend yield of 7.3% may not be as attractive as Target's 4.5% yield due to Altria's significant business struggles, particularly in its core tobacco segment [2][14]. Altria Overview - Altria's primary business is smokable tobacco products, which account for nearly 90% of its revenue, with cigarettes making up 97% of its volume [4]. - Cigarette volumes fell 8.2% year over year in Q3 2025, with Marlboro, which represents 85% of Altria's cigarette volume, experiencing an 11.7% decline [5]. - Altria has faced long-term declines in cigarette sales as smoking becomes less popular and alternatives like vaping gain traction [5]. - The company has struggled to adapt to industry changes, with previous investments in vapes and marijuana resulting in significant losses [7]. - Altria's current dividend yield of 7.21% comes with a high payout ratio of nearly 80%, raising concerns about sustainability [7][15]. Target Overview - Target's current market approach is misaligned with consumer trends, focusing on a premium shopping experience while consumers are tightening budgets [9]. - Same-store sales for Target fell 2.7% in Q3 2025, with overall sales down by 1.5%, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards lower-priced options [10]. - Despite these challenges, Target's situation is not seen as an existential threat, as fluctuations in consumer behavior are common in the retail sector [12]. - Target's management is actively working to realign its strategy, including appointing a new CEO and adopting a team-based approach [13]. - Target's dividend yield of 4.5% is supported by a lower payout ratio of approximately 55%, providing more flexibility in adverse conditions [15].

Core Insights - Philip Morris International (PM) is the largest tobacco company, benefiting from strong margins in both its declining cigarette business and its growing "smoke-free" segment [1] - The company's profitability has enabled consistent dividend increases, reflecting its robust financial health [1] Company Analysis - PM has a durable competitive advantage due to its established market position and strong balance sheet [1] - The focus on high-growth smoke-free products indicates a strategic shift towards innovation and sustainability within the tobacco industry [1]

There are an estimated 100 million smokers in the world's most populous country. ...

Core Viewpoint - Artisan Value Fund's third-quarter 2025 investor letter indicates that the equity market rally continued, driven by strong corporate earnings, increased AI investment, and favorable US fiscal policies, despite challenges such as tariffs [1]. Fund Performance - The Artisan Value Fund's Investor Class ARTLX, Advisor Class APDLX, and Institutional Class APHLX returned 0.83%, 0.91%, and 0.90% respectively in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 1000 Value Index, which returned 5.33% [1]. Stock Highlights - Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) was highlighted in the fund's investor letter, showing a one-month return of 3.14% and a 52-week gain of 34.20%, with a closing stock price of $161.05 and a market capitalization of $250.7 billion as of December 26, 2025 [2]. Sector Performance - The fund noted that stock selection was broadly negative across sectors in Q3, particularly in the consumer staples sector, where Philip Morris International Inc. was identified as a laggard contributing to underperformance [3].

乌克兰政府通过其官网公布的两项决议表示，已将对俄罗斯商品的进口禁令延长一年。 第一项决议将 部分俄罗斯商品的进口禁令延长至2026年12月31日，第二项决议则将针对俄罗斯产品的关税征收期限延 长相同时长。这两项决议均于2015年通过，此后已被多次延期。 被禁商品包括肉类、鱼类、咖啡、茶 叶、巧克力及其他糖果制品、婴幼儿食品、动物饲料、酒类和香烟。该禁令同时适用于数类工业制品、 交通工具、化肥及农产品。 ...

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 ...

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]

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 Insights - British American Tobacco (BTI) is a leading global tobacco company expanding its portfolio to include innovative products beyond traditional tobacco, aiming to capture a larger market share and adapt to changing consumer preferences [1][3] Financial Performance - On December 10, 2025, Morgan Stanley adjusted BTI's grade to "Underweight" while maintaining a "hold" action, with the stock price at $58.68, but raised the price target from 3,000 GBp to 3,050 GBp, indicating a cautious yet optimistic outlook [2][6] - BTI's current stock price is $58.65, reflecting a 2.37% increase or $1.36, with fluctuations between a low of $57.82 and a high of $58.715 on the same day [4] - Over the past year, BTI's stock reached a high of $59.29 and a low of $34.82, showcasing its market volatility [4] Market Position - BTI has a substantial market capitalization of approximately $128.7 billion, indicating a strong presence in the industry [5][6] - Today's trading volume for BTI stands at 1,973,242 shares, reflecting active investor interest [5]