The Zacks Tobacco industry is navigating a complex operating environment marked by persistent pressure on cigarette volumes, caused by inflationary stress, evolving consumer preferences and stringent regulatory frameworks. Rising health awareness and tighter restrictions on tobacco sales and marketing are accelerating the decline in traditional cigarette consumption. At the same time, elevated input costs, including tobacco leaf, energy and labor, along with increased investments in next-generation products ...

Core Insights - Philip Morris International (PM) reported full-year 2025 revenue of $40.6 billion, with smoke-free products contributing approximately $17 billion, while British American Tobacco (BTI) reported Q4 2025 EPS of $2.55, exceeding estimates, and raised its 2026 quarterly dividend to $0.835 from $0.749 [1] - PM's IQOS maintained a 76% global market share in heated tobacco, and ZYN saw a 37% growth in shipments in the U.S. with 794 million cans shipped [1] - PM trades at a trailing P/E of 23x, reflecting consistent earnings and growth in smoke-free products, while BTI trades at 13x, offering a higher yield but with a more volatile earnings history [1] Financial Performance - PM's adjusted operating income margin expanded to 40.4%, with management guiding for adjusted diluted EPS of $8.38 to $8.53 in 2026, indicating an expected growth of 11% to 13% [1] - BTI's Q4 2025 EPS of $2.55 beat the estimate of $2.51, but its smoke-free brands are growing at a slower pace compared to PM [1] - PM's revenue growth is driven by its smoke-free segment, while BTI's earnings history shows inconsistencies, including a -$0.66 EPS in Q4 2024 and a significant miss in Q2 2025 [1] Investment Considerations - PM is positioned as a growth stock with a focus on smoke-free transformation, appealing to investors seeking capital appreciation alongside dividend growth [1] - BTI offers a higher dividend yield of 5.64% compared to PM's 3.26%, making it attractive for income-focused investors despite its lower growth narrative [1] - The valuation gap between PM and BTI reflects differing investment profiles, with PM commanding a premium due to its consistent earnings performance and growth potential [1]

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Group 1: Financial Performance - British American Tobacco reported a 2.1% increase in group revenue and a 3.4% rise in adjusted profit for the full year 2025, driven by strong performance in traditional combustibles and growth in New Categories [1] - The company added 4.7 million smokeless consumers, bringing the total to 34.1 million, and is on track to deliver over £50 billion in free cash flow by 2030 [1] Group 2: New Categories Growth - In the New Categories segment, modern oral products, particularly the Velo brand, experienced a 48% global growth, with Velo Plus achieving a 2 market position in the US within its first year [2] - Vapor revenue declined by approximately 9% due to illicit products in the US and Canada, but showed signs of recovery in the second half of the year as enforcement efforts increased [2] - Heated products faced competition in Asia, but the company is optimistic about regaining market share with the premium glo Hilo and next-gen glo HYPER devices [2] Group 3: Future Outlook - Looking ahead to 2026, British American Tobacco expects to return to its mid-term growth algorithm of 3-5% revenue growth and 4-6% profit growth [3] - To support its transformation into a predominantly smokeless business by 2035, the company is intensifying productivity programs, targeting an additional £2 billion in savings by 2030 [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the new tobacco industry is "Positive" and maintained [8] Core Insights - British American Tobacco achieved total revenue of £25.61 billion in FY2025, a year-on-year decrease of 1.0% (an increase of 2.1% year-on-year at constant exchange rates). Revenue from new tobacco products reached £3.62 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.5% (7.0% at constant exchange rates), accounting for 14.1% of total revenue, an increase of 0.9 percentage points year-on-year. In H2 2025, revenue from new tobacco products was £1.97 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%, with a revenue share of 14.5% [2][6] Summary by Relevant Sections Traditional Tobacco Trends - The decline in traditional tobacco is evident, with a forecasted global cigarette volume decline of approximately 2% in 2026. New tobacco products are expected to be the core growth engine, with projected low double-digit growth in revenue for 2026 [6] Product Categories - **Heated Not Burned (HNB)**: Revenue for HNB products decreased by 0.7% year-on-year (an increase of 1.0% at constant exchange rates). The decline in cigarette sales was 3.7% year-on-year, primarily due to intensified market competition and resource allocation issues related to the early launch of Glo Hilo. Glo's global market share decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 14.9% [6] - **Oral Tobacco**: The modern oral tobacco segment saw a revenue increase of 47.4% year-on-year (48.0% at constant exchange rates). The market share for all oral products and new oral tobacco increased by 5.8 and 7.5 percentage points to 17.1% and 33.4%, respectively [6] - **Vaping Products**: Revenue from vaping products decreased by 10.4% year-on-year (8.6% at constant exchange rates). The decline in sales was 12.6% year-on-year, mainly due to illegal products in the U.S. and Canada, as well as regulatory changes in some European countries. Vuse maintained its global leadership with a market share increase of 0.6 percentage points to 38.8% [6] Investment Perspective - With the acceleration of the global new tobacco process, companies with core barriers or resource positioning in the industry present investment opportunities. Key focuses include four major international tobacco companies and two product categories (HNB and oral tobacco). Specific investment targets include Smoore International for HNB and vaping, and China National Tobacco for long-term positioning [6]

Building a Smokeless World Tadeu Marroco – Chief Executive | Javed Iqbal – Interim Chief Financial Officer This presentation does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire or dispose of any BAT shares or other securities. This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements, including "forward-looking" statements made within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use ...

Core Thesis - British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) is viewed positively due to its strong dividend yield, cash flow generation, and growth in new product categories, making it a reliable investment option [1][3][6] Financial Performance - As of January 13th, BTI's share price was $56.62, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 29.85 and 11.40 respectively [1] - The company has delivered over 60% total return since the initial investment, indicating strong performance [3] - Operating cash flow conversion is expected to exceed 95%, showcasing the company's ability to generate substantial free cash for dividends, buybacks, and debt reduction [5] Business Segments - The traditional combustibles business in the U.S. is stabilizing, showing revenue and profit growth for the first time since 2022 [4] - New product categories, such as Velo, are experiencing rapid expansion with triple-digit revenue growth and are on track for full-year profitability [4] - The U.S. vaping segment, Vuse, has returned to growth, further supporting revenue recovery [4] Capital Management - Management has increased the share buyback program to £1.3 billion for 2026 and aims to reduce net debt to EBITDA to a target range of 2.0–2.5x, providing flexibility for capital returns to shareholders [5][6] - The company reaffirms mid-term guidance with steady revenue and profit growth, alongside continued dividend progression [6] Investment Outlook - British American Tobacco is positioned to deliver shareholder value through resilient cash generation and diversified growth drivers, while expanding future dividend capacity [7] - The stock has appreciated approximately 35.35% since a previous bullish thesis, driven by new product categories and stabilization in U.S. combustibles [8]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating for the new tobacco industry, particularly focusing on the new oral nicotine pouch segment [3]. Core Insights - The industry is experiencing clear trends driven by supply-demand dynamics, leading to accelerated growth in the new tobacco sector, with international tobacco giants increasing their investments [2]. - New oral nicotine products, which combine characteristics of heated non-combustible and vaporized electronic cigarettes, are gaining popularity due to their flavor variety and convenience, presenting a significant market opportunity [3][58]. - The report highlights that the new oral nicotine segment is expected to have the highest gross margins among new tobacco products, making it an attractive area for investment [3]. Summary by Sections 1. Oral Tobacco Industry - The global penetration rate for oral tobacco is currently at 1%, with a projected CAGR of 27% from 2023 to 2028, indicating strong growth potential [18][58]. - New oral nicotine products are expected to grow at a CAGR of 35% during the same period, with the market size reaching €15 billion by 2028 [18]. 2. Traditional Oral Tobacco - Traditional oral tobacco products have a focused audience and are primarily used in specific scenarios, with historical roots in Sweden and North America [54]. 3. New Oral Tobacco - The introduction of nicotine pouches, such as ZYN by Swedish Match, has marked the beginning of a new market segment, with significant growth observed in the U.S. market [58]. - The new oral tobacco products are characterized by their non-tobacco composition, lower health risks, and a variety of flavors, which cater to diverse consumer preferences [58][61]. 4. Industry Leaders - **Philip Morris International (PMI)**: After acquiring Swedish Match for $16 billion, PMI has established itself as a global leader in the new oral tobacco market, with a market share of 42% [76][78]. - **Altria**: Focused on the U.S. market, Altria's new oral tobacco brand "On!" has seen a CAGR of 49% from 2021 to 2024 [81]. - **British American Tobacco (BAT)**: Concentrating on the European market, BAT holds a significant share in the new oral tobacco segment, particularly in six core markets [84]. - **Haypp Group**: A leading online sales platform for nicotine pouches, Haypp is expected to achieve a revenue of 5 billion Swedish Krona in 2025, reflecting the industry's high growth potential [90][93]. 5. Valuation Review - The new oral tobacco segment is becoming a crucial valuation driver for companies in the tobacco industry, with significant investments and acquisitions indicating strong future prospects [3][22].

Core Thesis - Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB) is positioned favorably in the U.S. nicotine pouch market, leveraging first-mover advantages and strong branding through a partnership with Tucker Carlson [2][3][4] Company Overview - TPB's share price was $98.02 as of September 25th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 35.01 and 24.75 respectively [1] - Nicotine pouches contribute approximately 20–30% of TPB's revenue, although this figure is inflated due to a joint venture with Tucker Carlson [2] Market Position and Growth Potential - TPB operates effectively as two distinct businesses, with a significant portion of profits directed to Carlson rather than shareholders [2] - The company benefits from strong branding and consumer appeal, positioning itself to capture a growing market that could reach $100 billion in the next decade [3] - If TPB captures a 10% market share, its valuation could range from $10–20 billion, with conservative estimates suggesting $4–5 billion, indicating substantial upside potential [3] Strategic Focus - The company prioritizes short-term growth over margins, as the early-stage market rewards consumer switching and expansion [4] - Challenges include lean production primarily in India and unclear reporting on joint venture economics, complicating shareholder value assessment [4] - Despite these challenges, TPB's established products and distribution network suggest strong near-term growth potential as the nicotine pouch market matures [4] Competitive Landscape - The nicotine pouch market is expanding, with competitors like British American Tobacco's Velo brand also experiencing growth [5] - Emil Hartela emphasizes TPB's first-mover advantage and market growth potential, aligning with broader industry trends [5]

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group, known for its Marlboro brand, faces an uncertain future despite its history of consistent dividend increases and dominance in the tobacco market [1][2]. Industry Transition - The tobacco industry is shifting from combustible cigarettes to smoke-free products, with Altria's ability to adapt to these trends being crucial for its long-term viability [2][5]. - The U.S. tobacco market remains lucrative, with Altria holding a 41% share of the retail cigarette market and 59.5% of the premium segment [4]. Product Development Challenges - Altria has struggled to establish itself in the next-generation product categories, including electronic vapes and heated tobacco devices, following a failed investment in Juul and a recent patent loss [5][6][7]. - Oral nicotine salt pouches have been Altria's most successful smoke-free product, but it still lags behind competitors like Philip Morris International's Zyn [8]. Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, approximately 83% of Altria's operating income came from smokeable products, indicating that smoke-free products are not yet a significant revenue source [9]. - The legacy smokeable segment remains profitable, allowing Altria to slowly increase free cash flow per share through price hikes and stock repurchases [10]. Dividend and Growth Outlook - Altria recently raised its dividend by 3.9%, offering a starting yield of 6.5%, with analysts projecting an average earnings growth of 3.4% annually over the next three to five years [11][12]. - The company is expected to maintain steady dividend growth for at least another five years, provided it can improve its performance in next-generation products [12]. Distribution Network Advantage - Altria's extensive distribution network, built through its Marlboro brand, positions it to potentially regain market share in new product categories if it executes effectively [13]. Investment Considerations - Altria is considered a strong high-yield dividend stock, appealing to investors seeking steady income, though it may not be suitable for those looking for high growth and capital gains [14][15]. - The company must enhance its product rollout and market presence in the transitioning nicotine industry to secure its long-term position [16].