Investors looking for solid income stocks to boost their passive income can find some attractive opportunities in 2025. The past few years have seen high inflation and interest rates put pressure on the financial results and share prices of top consumer brands. This has driven the dividend yield up to attractive levels for several top companies.To give you some ideas, three Fool.com contributors believe Target (TGT -0.22%), Starbucks (SBUX 0.60%), and Philip Morris (PM -0.28%) are solid buys today. Here's w ...

Kelowna, BC – July 17, 2025 – TheNewswire – Doseology Sciences Inc. (CSE: MOOD | PINK: DOSEF | FSE: VU70) (“Doseology” or the “Company”), an innovator in precision-formulated oral stimulants, is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick W. Sills as Strategic Go-to-Market Advisor.Mr. Sills is an experienced commercial strategist with over 15 years of leadership in the nicotine and functional CPG sectors. His career includes senior roles with Philip Morris International and Fontem Ventures B.V., where h ...

Core Viewpoint - Jami Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, warns of a potential "cracking" in the bond market due to excessive deficit spending and high debt levels, with the 10-year yield at levels not seen since 2007 [1] Group 1: Companies Resilient to Bond Market Cracking - Philip Morris International is well-positioned to thrive regardless of bond market conditions, primarily due to its international market focus and recession-proof tobacco products [4][5] - The next-gen products, including Zyn and IQOS, now account for over 40% of Philip Morris's revenue and gross profit, indicating growth potential despite a mature market [6] Group 2: AutoZone's Performance in Weak Economies - AutoZone demonstrates resilience in recessionary environments, benefiting from consumers opting for repairs over new car purchases [7] - The company's hub-and-spoke store model enhances its market performance by ensuring all stores are well-stocked, supporting its ability to thrive if bond markets weaken [8] Group 3: Dollar General's Economic Resilience - Dollar General is positioned to perform well during economic downturns as consumers tend to "trade down" to more affordable shopping options [9][10] - The company has a strong track record of success during past recessions, with a revenue model focused on consumer staples and a vast network of over 20,000 stores [11]

Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett - Warren Buffett, after 60 years of leadership, announced that Greg Abel will become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of the year [1] - Buffett has significantly outperformed the S&P 500, essentially doubling its annual return over his career [2] - Berkshire Hathaway is known for its stability and has outperformed the S&P 500 during recent market volatility [5] Group 2: Altria - Altria has a strong historical performance, particularly in down markets, and is currently the domestic seller of Marlboro and other cigarette brands [8] - The company benefits from a recession-resistant business model, with a high-yield dividend and a record of raising dividends 59 times in the last 55 years [9] - Altria's stock is up 16.6% this year, outperforming both Berkshire and the S&P 500, and has shown resilience during past bear markets [10][12] Group 3: AutoZone - AutoZone operates in the aftermarket auto parts sector, which tends to perform well during recessions as consumers prioritize repairs over new vehicle purchases [17] - The stock is up 17.8% year to date and has historically thrived during bear markets, gaining 22% during the financial crisis [18][19] - AutoZone has a pattern of accelerating sales towards the end of recessions, indicating strong potential for future performance [21][23] Group 4: Investment Considerations - Despite a recent 5% decline in Berkshire stock following Buffett's retirement announcement, the company remains a strong long-term investment due to its cash reserves of nearly $350 billion [24] - Investors looking to capitalize on potential bear markets may find Altria and AutoZone to be more attractive options based on their historical performance and business models [25]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 28% to $106.4 million for Q1 2025, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 12% to $27.7 million [4][13] - Gross margin was 56%, down 220 basis points year over year but flat sequentially [13] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $12.4 million, with capital expenditures of $2.2 million [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Modern Oral revenue reached $22.3 million, with sales increasing nearly 10 times year over year [5][16] - Stoker's revenue increased by 63% to $59.2 million, with MST portfolio net sales growing by 10% to $26.3 million [7][15] - Zig Zag sales increased by 1% year over year to $47.3 million, with gross profit decreasing by 7.2% compared to the prior year [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates the modern oral category will exceed $5 billion in manufacturers' revenue by the end of the decade [5] - The company aims for a long-term target of double-digit market share in the modern oral space [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is increasing full-year consolidated nicotine pouch sales guidance to a range of $80 million to $95 million from $60 million to $80 million [5][17] - Key initiatives include reallocating sales and marketing resources, increasing sales force headcount, and improving online presence [6][10] - The company is exploring U.S. manufacturing to improve profitability and mitigate supply chain risks [6][7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth of white nicotine pouch brands and the overall modern oral category [5][6] - The company is focused on building brands for the long term and executing against an omnichannel plan [11][12] - Management acknowledged potential headwinds from tariffs and foreign exchange impacts on the Zig Zag segment [17] Other Important Information - The company reaffirmed its previously announced 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $108 million to $113 million [5][17] - Budgeted capital expenditures for 2025 are projected to be between $4 million to $5 million, excluding modern oral business projects [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on distribution gains in Modern Oral and rollout expectations for ALP - Management noted strong traction with retailers and plans for rollouts and enhancements later in the year [22][23] Question: Capacity to produce nicotine pouches at current facilities - Management confirmed adequate supply and ongoing exploration of onshoring production options [26] Question: Timing impact on pouch shipments and brand awareness for ALP - Management indicated that ALP's rollout is focused on online direct-to-consumer channels and is seeing good brand awareness [30][32] Question: Stoker segment gross margin performance - Management stated that pouch margins are within previously discussed ranges and are performing well [35] Question: Advertising regulations for nicotine pouches - Management acknowledged more flexibility in advertising compared to traditional tobacco products but emphasized responsible marketing [44] Question: Timing of PMTA applications amid FDA changes - Management indicated uncertainty regarding timing due to changes in government but continues to monitor the situation [46]

The stock emerged from a disastrous decade and could now outperform the market moving forward.Tobacco stocks aren't for everyone. The fact that they deal in vices and sell addictive products is off-putting to some, while others skip over them in favor of faster-growing businesses. British American Tobacco (BTI 0.52%) is one of the industry's most prominent players, boasting a global presence and a diverse portfolio of cigarette brands and smoke-free nicotine products.The stock's nearly 7% dividend yield off ...