Altria Group, IncNYSE: MO
Consumer Staples · Tobacco
$74.30
+2.27%
Vol: 8.7M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Altria reports strong Q1 2026 with 7.3% adjusted EPS growth and 52-week stock high; nicotine pouches momentum accelerates
Altria delivered Q1 2026 adjusted EPS growth of 7.3% with revenue net of excise taxes rising 5.3% YoY to $4.8B. Smokeable products revenue increased 5.2% to $4.1B while on! nicotine pouches shipments surged 17.6%, indicating successful portfolio diversification. Stock reached 52-week high of $73.64 with 1-day gain of 6.52% and 1-year return of 31.11%. Company reaffirmed 2026 full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $5.56-5.72. Management announced incremental investments in American operations.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Altria reports Q1 2026 earnings with 7.3% adjusted diluted EPS growth and reaffirms full-year guidance of $5.56-$5.72.Positive▶
Altria Group delivered a strong start to 2026 with Q1 net revenues increasing 3.2% to $5.4 billion and adjusted diluted EPS growing 7.3%. The company completed share repurchases of 4.5 million shares and paid dividends of $1.8 billion. Stock reached a new 52-week high of $73.64, reflecting 25.24% six-month returns. The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance and is investing incrementally in American tobacco growers and communities for the nation's 250th anniversary.
Apr 16BofA raises PT to $73; CEO transition; FDA authorizes six on! PLUS pouch productsMixed▶
Altria Group announced CEO Billy Gifford will retire in May; CFO Sal Mancuso to become new CEO. FDA authorized six on! PLUS nicotine pouch products via pilot program for fast-track reviews on April 1, though April 1 report noted scheme slowing. Bank of America raised PT to $73 from $72 on April 10. Analyst coverage mixed: 5 Strong Buy, 7 Hold, 1 Moderate Sell, 1 Strong Sell. $1.06 quarterly dividend payable April 30. Stock trading $65.62. 2025 revenue declined -1.49% to $20.14B; earnings fell -38.35%. Leadership transition amid regulatory challenges.
Apr 15Altria declares $1.06 quarterly dividend; Bank of America raises price target to $73.Positive▶
Altria Group's Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable April 30, 2026 to shareholders of record March 25. Bank of America raised its price target to $73 from $72 in early April. The company reaffirmed 2026 guidance for adjusted diluted EPS of $5.56-$5.72 (2.5%-5.5% growth). Altria trades at $65.62 as of April 15, down from $66.81 close, with year-to-date return of 16.6% and 1-year return of 26.9%.
Apr 14CEO Billy Gifford retiring May 14; new CEO Sal Mancuso and CFO Heather Newman take over; 2.5%-5.5% EPS growth guidance for 2026.Mixed▶
Altria announced leadership transition effective May 14, 2026, with Billy Gifford retiring as CEO. The company forecasts 2.5%-5.5% EPS growth for 2026 and mid-single-digit CAGR through 2028. Altria entered into a non-binding Global Collaboration MOU with KT&G Corporation for modern oral nicotine products. Dividend increased to $1.06 per share quarterly (7.02% yield). BofA raised price target to $73. Stock up 16.6% YTD.
Apr 13Altria declares $1.06 quarterly dividend amid 26.9% one-year rally despite declining cigarette volumes.Neutral▶
Altria Group announced a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share (payable April 30, 2026), underscoring its 6.2% dividend yield and history of increases. However, the company continues to face challenges from stagnant revenue and declining cigarette volumes, with concerns about regulatory pressures limiting growth. CEO Billy Gifford's retirement and appointment of Sal Mancuso signals leadership transition. The stock benefits from strong 87.1% gross margins and 43.6% free cash flow margins, but revenue growth remains flat.
Apr 10Altria declares quarterly dividend of $1.06 amid regulatory headwinds and institutional divestment.Neutral▶
Altria's Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable April 30, 2026. Institutional divestment pressures continue as Newbridge Financial reduced its stake by 69.5% and SteelPeak Wealth trimmed its position by 67.3% in Q4 2025. FDA regulators have delayed decisions on several nicotine pouch products, adding regulatory uncertainty. The stock is trading near $66.80 with year-to-date returns of 16.6% and 1-year returns of 26.9%, positioned as a dividend aristocrat though facing revenue growth stagnation concerns.
Apr 9Altria announces CEO transition and raises 2026 EPS guidance to $5.56-$5.72 amid on! PLUS expansionPositive▶
Altria Group announced significant leadership changes effective after its May 14, 2026 Annual Meeting: CEO William F. Gifford Jr. will retire, Salvatore Mancuso becomes CEO, and Heather Newman becomes CFO. The company provided 2026 full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $5.56-$5.72, representing 2.5%-5.5% growth from 2025's $5.42 base. Altria declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share (3.9% increase) payable April 30, 2026, reflecting a long history of dividend growth. The on! PLUS nicotine pouch product, the first FDA-authorized through the expedited pilot program, began wholesale deliveries March 16 and expanded to participating retailers nationwide March 23. The company remains focused on transitioning from declining combustible cigarettes to next-generation products.
Apr 8New leadership transition and KT&G collaboration announced for Altria GroupNeutral▶
Altria announced that CEO William F. Gifford Jr. plans to retire after the 2026 Annual Meeting on May 14, with Salvatore Mancuso becoming CEO and Heather Newman becoming CFO. The company entered a non-binding Global Collaboration Memorandum of Understanding with KT&G Corporation to pursue long-term growth in modern oral nicotine and non-nicotine products. Altria highlighted a 3.9% dividend increase to $1.06 per share, marking its 60th dividend increase in 56 years. Regulatory delays on nicotine pouch products add uncertainty. Institutional investor Newbridge Financial reduced its stake by 69.5% in Q4 2025.
Apr 7Altria launches on! PLUS nicotine pouches nationwide with FDA authorization; dividend raised to $1.06/shareMixed▶
Altria initiated a nationwide rollout of on! PLUS nicotine pouches following FDA clearance through expedited review. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 3.9% to $1.06 per share, marking its 60th dividend increase in 56 years. Altria returned $8 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and buybacks, supported by resilient EPS growth. Mixed analyst signals persist due to regulatory challenges in nicotine products. The stock trades at a 12-month price target of $63.63, down 3.24% from current levels.
Apr 6Altria announces leadership transition with new CEO and CFO taking helm after 2026 annual meetingNeutral▶
Altria Group announced CEO William F. Gifford Jr. will retire after the 2026 Annual Meeting with Salvatore Mancuso becoming CEO and Heather Newman as CFO. Company reported 3.9% dividend increase and regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share. 2025 results showed revenue of $20.14B (down 1.49%) and earnings of $6.93B (down 38.35%). Annual shareholder meeting scheduled for May 14, 2026. Company focuses on "Moving Beyond Smoking" vision.
Apr 3Altria Group's Helix subsidiary begins nationwide rollout of on! PLUS nicotine pouches following FDA authorization through expedited review pilot program.Positive▶
Altria (MO) announced the nationwide rollout of on! PLUS nicotine pouches on April 2, 2026, following FDA authorization through an expedited review. The company also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share payable April 30, 2026, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous $1.02. Altria reaffirmed 2026 earnings guidance and entered into a non-binding collaboration with KT&G Corporation to pursue growth opportunities in modern oral nicotine and non-nicotine products.
Apr 2CEO transition finalized as Salvatore Mancuso takes helm; company reaffirms 2026 EPS guidance of $5.56-$5.72.Positive▶
Altria Group announced a planned leadership transition with current CEO William F. Gifford Jr. retiring after the May 14, 2026 annual meeting, succeeded by CFO Salvatore Mancuso. The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.56-$5.72 (2.5%-5.5% growth), with weighted growth expected in the second half. Additionally, Altria partnered with KT&G Corporation on a Global Collaboration MOU to pursue opportunities in modern oral nicotine and non-nicotine products. The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share.
Apr 1Altria announces 60th dividend increase and expands oral nicotine product portfolio with national On! Plus rollout.Positive▶
Altria boosted its quarterly dividend by 3.9% to $1.06 per share, marking the 60th consecutive year of dividend increases. The company completed the national retail rollout of On! Plus nicotine pouches through Helix Innovations, competing in the fast-growing oral nicotine segment. Analysts maintain optimistic views with Stifel maintaining a Buy rating at $68 target and UBS raising its target to $74. Despite declining domestic cigarette volumes, Altria's dividend growth strategy and new product launches provide support.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMPHILIP | $166.92 | +1.12% | +3.0% | 18.1x | 0.45 | $257.3B |
| MOALTRIA | $74.30 | +2.27% | +9.2% | 12.5x | 0.45 | $121.5B |
| WMTWALMART | $131.84 | -0.07% | +4.0% | 40.2x | 0.66 | $1.05T |
| COSTCOSTCO | $1,012.70 | -0.18% | -0.4% | 45.1x | 0.98 | $450.1B |
| PGPROCTER | $147.58 | +0.33% | +3.0% | 20.7x | 0.40 | $342.5B |
| KOCOCA | $78.69 | -0.10% | +2.0% | 22.7x | 0.36 | $338.9B |
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Price above both MAs — bullish structure.