Core Viewpoint - Philip Morris International Inc. is a leading multinational tobacco and nicotine products company with a market cap of $253.1 billion, operating in over 180 markets worldwide [1] Financial Performance - Analysts expect Philip Morris to report an adjusted EPS of $1.67 for fiscal Q4 2025, reflecting a 7.7% increase from $1.55 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, the expected adjusted EPS is $7.50, which is a 14.2% increase from $6.57 in fiscal 2024, with projections of an 11.3% annual rise to $8.35 in FY2026 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, shares of Philip Morris have surged by 33.4%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 17.7% rise and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's 2% increase [4] Dividend Announcement - On December 12, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per common share, scheduled for payment on January 14, 2026, reinforcing investor confidence in the company's cash generation and dividend sustainability [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view among analysts is highly optimistic, with a "Strong Buy" rating overall; nine out of 14 analysts recommend "Strong Buy," two suggest "Moderate Buy," and three advise "Hold" [6] - The average analyst price target of $186.92 indicates a potential upside of 14.9% from current market prices [6]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of intentional spending to build wealth and financial security by avoiding certain purchases that do not contribute to financial goals [1] Group 1: Unnecessary Purchases - Alcohol, recreational drugs, and cigarettes are highlighted as expenses that do not add value to life, with average monthly costs of over $80 for alcohol and around $200 for smoking [2][3] - Car financing is identified as a significant financial burden, with over 80% of new car buyers and 37% of used car buyers using loans, resulting in average monthly payments of $748 for new cars and $532 for used cars [4][5] - The newest iPhone is pointed out as a common unnecessary purchase, where consumers often overlook the total cost due to financing options, leading to interest payments on a depreciating asset [6][7]

Core Insights - The study suggests that grocery receipts could potentially help build credit files for "credit invisible" borrowers, who currently lack credit records [1][2] - Researchers have found a correlation between grocery shopping behavior and bill payment reliability, indicating that shopping habits may serve as alternative data for credit scoring [3][4] Group 1: Research Findings - The research utilized data from Peruvian consumers, combining loyalty transactions, credit card repayment data, and administrative records to analyze the predictive power of grocery shopping behavior on payment reliability [3] - Consumers who purchased healthier foods were more likely to pay their bills on time, while those who bought less healthy items showed a higher likelihood of missed payments [4] - Consistent shopping patterns, such as shopping on the same day each week and spending similar amounts, were linked to timely bill payments [5] Group 2: Implications for Credit Scoring - The simulation conducted by researchers indicated that incorporating shopping data could increase credit approval rates for borrowers without credit files from 16% to between 31% and 48% [6] - For consumers with established credit histories, adding shopping data had minimal impact on approval outcomes, suggesting its primary use may be in identifying safe candidates for new credit lines [6]

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is recognized for its strong long-term performance in the stock market, despite the analyst's personal aversion to tobacco stocks [1][2]. Company Overview - Altria Group, Inc. produces and sells a variety of tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches, and e-vapor products [2]. Investment Perspective - The stock has shown superior returns compared to many others, as noted during the analysis for "How to Make Money in Any Market" [1][2]. - Despite acknowledging Altria's investment potential, the analyst expresses a preference for other stocks, particularly in the AI sector, which are believed to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [2].

Group 1 - Altria is recognized as a top stock for investors seeking high yield while protecting capital, particularly due to its focus on the U.S. market since its 2008 spinoff from Philip Morris International [1] - The company is transitioning from traditional cigarettes to smoke-free products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, indicating a strategic pivot in its product offerings [1] - Altria's stock has shown improved price performance, earning upgrades in its Relative Strength Rating, reflecting positive market sentiment [3] Group 2 - Altria's stock offers a dividend yield of 7.1%, positioning it as a competitive option among high-yield stocks [3] - The company has successfully mitigated tariff risks associated with its products, enhancing its market stability [3] - Altria has joined an elite group of stocks with Relative Strength Ratings over 90, showcasing its strong market performance [3]

Company Overview - Altria is a consumer staples company primarily focused on cigarette production, which is distinct from other consumer staples companies that produce essential goods like food and toiletries [1][2] - The company has a high dividend yield of 7.4%, attracting dividend-focused investors [1] Market Dynamics - Cigarettes are not considered a necessity, but their addictive nature leads to consistent demand, even during economic downturns [2] - Historical data shows that during the pandemic in 2020, cigarette volumes only declined by 0.4%, but subsequent years have seen significant volume declines [3][5] Volume Decline - Altria's cigarette volumes have experienced a troubling trend: a 7.5% decline in 2021, 9.7% in 2022, 9.9% in 2023, and a projected 10.2% drop in 2024 [5] - The ongoing decline in cigarette volume poses a significant risk to the company's financial health and dividend sustainability [6] Pricing Strategy - The company has been offsetting volume declines through price increases, which has allowed it to maintain and increase its dividend [6] - However, there are concerns that continued price hikes may exacerbate volume declines in the long run [6] Strategic Challenges - Altria has attempted to diversify its business beyond cigarettes, investing in vaping and marijuana, but these efforts have not yielded successful outcomes [7] - The company's latest investment in NJOY is facing legal challenges, further complicating its growth strategy [7] Investment Considerations - Altria is struggling with its core cigarette business and has not effectively transitioned to new growth platforms, making it a risky investment for dividend-focused investors [8]