Altria Group, Inc. (MO)

Over the past six months, Altria Group's stock price has increased, with an 18.10% year-to-date return and a 14.55% increase over the last 12 months. Altria reported a strong start to 2026, with adjusted diluted EPS growing by 7.3% in the first quarter and reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance, expecting a growth rate of 2.5% to 5.5%. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Altria repurchased 4.8 million shares for $288 million, contributing to a total of $1 billion in share repurchases for the full year 2025. The company also returned $8 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and buybacks.

Demand for Altria Group's tobacco products tends to be stable and is generally considered resilient regardless of broader economic conditions. This non-cyclical nature contributes to predictable earnings.

Altria Group, Inc. is an American holding company focused on manufacturing and selling smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. It operates in the Consumer Non-Cyclicals sector, with a significant market share in Cigarette & Tobacco Manufacturing and Wholesaling. Altria's product portfolio includes brands like Marlboro, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Skoal, and on!, and it has ventured into e-vapor products with NJOY ACE. Altria also holds minority stakes in AB InBev and Cronos Group.

Altria Group, Inc. primarily focuses its manufacturing and sales operations on the United States market, although it is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and described as operating worldwide, its core business is concentrated domestically.

Altria Group has continued its strategic efforts to transition adult smokers to potentially less harmful choices by expanding its smoke-free product portfolio. Despite these initiatives, Altria's brand reputation remains intertwined with the challenges of the tobacco industry, including declining market share and competition from illicit e-vapor products. A federal court previously ordered Altria and other tobacco companies to make corrective statements about the addictiveness and health effects of smoking. Altria's Nominating, Corporate Governance & Social Responsibility Committee provides oversight for the company's corporate reputation.

Altria Group is predominantly owned by institutional shareholders, who collectively hold approximately 62.71% of the company's shares. Retail investors account for about 36.11% of the ownership, while Altria Group insiders hold a minimal 1.18%. Major institutional owners include The Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp. The largest individual shareholder is Carlos Slim Helu, who owns 8.07 million shares, representing 0.48% of the company.