Altria Group, Inc.

Altria lifted its quarterly dividend to $1.11, the company's 60th increase in 56 years, yielding about 6.16% at current prices. The payout is supported by pricing power and a smokeable adjusted OCI margin of 65.1% despite a 10% decline in U.S. cigarette shipments and a drop in Marlboro share. Management doubled buyback authorization and returned about $8 billion to shareholders last year, while discount cigarette share and negative stockholders' equity weigh on the balance sheet. Altria's smoke-free initiatives stumbled as on! lost pouch share and NJOY e‑vapor incurred a $1.3 billion impairment, raising the risk that margin compression could force future dividend changes. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Altria increased its quarterly dividend to $1.11 (annualized $4.44), yielding over 6.5%, maintaining its 57-year Dividend King streak. Through H1 2026 the dividend payments equate to roughly 79% of adjusted diluted EPS and the company paid more in dividends than free cash flow generated, while cash balances fell from about $4.5bn to $2.4bn. Revenue and adjusted EPS grew modestly, but smokeable and oral product volumes declined, leaving tighter financials that warrant monitoring of future quarterly results. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Altria Group has delivered total returns above 24% in 2026 while trading at about 12 times forward earnings and offering a 6.4% forward dividend yield. Q2 results showed 1.2% net revenue growth and GAAP EPS of $1.37, down 2.8% year‑over‑year and missing estimates. The company raised its dividend 4.7% and announced a contract manufacturing deal with Philip Morris, but faces long‑term risks from declining cigarette use and slower progress in smokeless product market share that could threaten future earnings and the dividend. Investors should weigh the attractive yield and recent performance against the potential for an earnings downturn. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Altria filed suit in federal court in Lubbock asking the FDA to replace its tobacco product review process, saying the agency's backlog and failure to meet statutory 180-day decision deadlines have blocked products like On! nicotine pouches and allowed illicit competitors to gain market share. The complaint, joined by the Texas Food and Fuel Association, asks the court to set aside the current regime and force development of a new review system, noting even fast-track applications remained undecided past agency targets. Regulators and campaigners say the process protects public health, while tobacco firms have resorted to litigation, threats to launch unapproved products and intensive lobbying to prompt regulatory changes. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Altria has appointed Steven W. Presley to its board of directors. Presley is currently CEO of Refresco Benelux and previously held senior roles at Nestlé, including executive vice president and CEO for the Americas and North America regions. He will serve on the committees for compensation and human capital, innovation, and finance. » More on de.investing.com