Core Viewpoint - Altria's stock has shown strong performance with a 16% increase in 2026 and a dividend yield of 6.4%, supported by its consistent dividend growth and strategic focus on nicotine products [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Dividend - Altria's stock rose 16% in 2026, outperforming the broader market, and has increased 25% over the past year [1] - The stock offers a dividend yield of approximately 6.4% and is trading less than 2% below its 52-week high of $68.60 [1] - Altria has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years, aiming to pay out about 80% of adjusted earnings per share as dividends [1] Group 2: Market Demand and Product Strategy - The demand for Altria's flagship Marlboro brand remains steady due to nicotine's addictive nature, allowing for price increases even amidst declining cigarette sales [1] - Traditional cigarette sales dropped about 10% in 2025, but Altria is shifting towards smoke-free products, with its on! oral nicotine pouches seeing a 10.9% increase in shipments [1] - Nicotine pouches now account for over 55% of the overall oral tobacco market, with expectations for continued growth through 2036 [1] Group 3: Regulatory Challenges - Altria faced regulatory issues that led to the withdrawal of its NJOY Ace e-vapor product from stores, with no expected return in 2026 [1] - The company is now focusing more on oral nicotine products in response to these challenges [1]

Core Viewpoint - Altria's third-quarter earnings report disappointed investors, leading to a significant decline in its stock price, which fell 15% following the report [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Altria reported a revenue decline of 3% in Q3, totaling $6.07 billion, which was below the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion [5][4]. - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 3.6% to $1.45, matching analyst expectations [7]. Market Trends - Cigarette shipments fell sharply, with Marlboro shipments down 11.7% to 14.2 billion and total cigarette shipments down 8.2% to 16.2 billion [6]. - There was a notable 74.5% increase in discount cigarette shipments to 1.2 billion, indicating consumers are opting for cheaper alternatives due to discretionary spending pressures [6]. Future Outlook - The company raised its full-year EPS guidance to a range of $5.37-$5.45, still below the consensus of $5.44 [8]. - Altria increased its dividend by 3.9% to $4.24 annualized per share, marking its 60th increase in 56 years [8]. Strategic Challenges - Altria continues to face difficulties in transitioning from traditional cigarettes to next-generation products, following a failed investment in Juul Labs and subsequent acquisition of NJOY [9]. - The company is making progress with its On! product and is working on obtaining approvals for Ploom and Marlboro heated tobacco sticks [10].