Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential of Altria Group as a stable investment option, particularly for conservative investors looking to balance their portfolios against the volatility of hypergrowth AI stocks. Group 1: Company Overview - Altria Group is a tobacco and nicotine giant with a diverse product portfolio, including Marlboro cigarettes, oral tobacco products, cigars, and electronic nicotine vapes [3] - The company has a significant investment in Anheuser Busch, further diversifying its revenue streams [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Altria has optimized profits despite a long-term decline in cigarette usage in the U.S. through price increases, cost cuts, and financialization, resulting in a 59% growth in consolidated free cash flow over the last decade, reaching $8.7 billion in the past 12 months [4] - The stock currently offers a dividend yield of 6.27%, with dividends per share having increased by 87.6% over the past 10 years [6] - The company generates free cash flow per share of $5.15, which exceeds its annual dividend per share of $4.24, indicating a sustainable dividend growth potential [7] Group 3: Future Growth and Strategy - Altria is investing in new nicotine categories, including a partnership with KT&G Corporation to explore new nicotine pouch brands and energy investments [5] - The On! nicotine pouch brand reported a 26.5% volume growth last quarter, showcasing the company's focus on expanding beyond traditional tobacco products [5] Group 4: Market Resilience - Tobacco businesses like Altria tend to remain stable during economic downturns, with tobacco and nicotine usage often improving in tough economic conditions [9] - Altria is positioned as a counterbalance to high-volatility AI stocks, providing a steady cash return and potential resilience during market crashes [10]