Core Insights - Findell Capital Management has initiated a new position in Turning Point Brands (NYSE:TPB) valued at approximately $8.9 million, acquiring 90,000 shares during the third quarter [2][3] Company Overview - Turning Point Brands, Inc. is a diversified consumer products company focused on the tobacco and alternative products market, operating through established brands and a multi-channel distribution strategy [6] - The company offers a range of branded consumer products, including rolling papers, tobacco products, cigars, and vapor products, with key brands such as Zig-Zag and Stoker's [7] Financial Performance - Turning Point Brands reported a market capitalization of $1.9 billion, with a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $435.7 million and a net income of $52.4 million [5] - The latest quarter showed a 31% revenue growth to $119 million and a 17% adjusted EBITDA growth to $31.3 million, driven by a significant increase in Modern Oral products, which saw sales jump 628% year over year to $36.7 million [10] Investment Context - Findell Capital Management's new stake in Turning Point Brands represents 3.5% of the fund's $253.4 million in reportable U.S. equity assets, bringing its total positions to 15 at the end of the quarter [3] - The stock price of TPB was $99.56 as of the market close, reflecting a 60% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 13% gain during the same period [4]

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: Company Overview - Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is recognized for its ownership of Marlboro and a diverse portfolio that includes oral tobacco products, cigars, and e-vapor devices, as well as a significant stake in Anheuser-Busch [2] - The company has successfully maintained strong profits despite a long-term decline in cigarette use in the US, leveraging price increases, cost-cutting measures, and operational efficiencies [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Altria has achieved nearly 60% growth in consolidated free cash flow over the past decade, reaching $8.7 billion in the last twelve months [3] - The company has a robust dividend history, having raised its payouts 60 times over the past 56 years, with a current quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 6.54% as of October 2 [5] Group 3: Future Outlook - Altria is investing in non-cigarette products, with stable performance in its cigar segment and growth in newer areas like vaping and nicotine pouches, particularly the on! pouch brand, which saw 26.5% volume growth last quarter [4] - The recent partnership with KT&G in South Korea aims to expand its product offerings and explore potential investments in the energy sector, indicating a strategic shift in the company's direction [4]