Yahoo Finance Altria (MO) Gains on Low-Risk Tobacco Offerings, Strong Pricing
Despite challenges stemming from weak cigarette sales, Altria Group, Inc. MO managed to stay afloat on rising popularity of low-risk tobacco alternatives. The company is focusing on expanding its presence in reduced risk products (RRPs) such as IQOS and other oral tobacco offerings. Additionally, strong pricing for tobacco products have been an upside for the company. Shares of the company have gained 11.5% in the past six months, almost in line with the industry’s rise of 11.7%. Let’s take a closer look at the factors aiding the performance of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Low-Risk Products on the Rise
RRPs, known to be the next-generation tobacco products, have been gaining popularity owing to their less detrimental impacts on health. Like many tobacco biggies, Altria is also undertaking measures to expand in this arena. The marketing and technology sharing agreement between Altria and Philip Morris International Inc. PM, pertaining to the sale of IQOS in the United States, is noteworthy. IQOS is one of the leading RRPs in the industry. The FDA approved the marketing of IQOS and HeatSticks as Modified Risk Tobacco Products in July 2020. Also, the FDA’s authorization regarding sale of IQOS 3 in the United States bodes well. Altria, through its subsidiary Philip Morris USA, Inc., is striving to make IQOS available across more stores in the United States. We note that other tobacco companies such as Turning Point Brands, Inc. TPB and British American Tobacco p.l.c. BTI have been expanding their offerings in the low-risk tobacco space.
Additionally, Altria has been undertaking efforts to expand oral tobacco offerings. The company, through its subsidiary Helix Innovations, has full global ownership of on! — a popular tobacco-derived nicotine (TDN) pouch product. Management believes that on! is a worthwhile addition to Altria’s smokeless portfolio as oral TDN products are gaining popularity in the United States owing to their low-risk claims. Notably, on! was sold in more than 93,000 stores by the end of first-quarter 2021. The company is also making efforts to expand in the cannabis industry. Markedly, it acquired stakes in the Canada-based cannabis company, Cronos Group.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Strong Pricing a Big Support
Strong pricing for tobacco products has been a significant upside for Altria. Though higher pricing might lead to possible decline in cigarette consumption, it is seen that smokers tend to absorb price increases owing to the addictive quality of cigarettes. During first-quarter 2021, higher pricing aided growth in revenues and adjusted operating companies income (OCI) in the oral tobacco product segment. Also, higher pricing contributed to the company’s smokeable category revenues, which was otherwise battered by weak shipment volumes. Consistent gains from pricing power are likely to keep supporting the company’s revenues in the forthcoming periods.
Wrapping Up
Soft cigarette sales have continued to be a major downside for Altria. During first-quarter 2021, the company’s domestic cigarette shipment volumes declined 12% year over year. This adversely impacted revenues in the company’s smokeable category. Additionally, the company expects 2021 cigarette industry volumes to be affected by factors like stay-at-home practices, purchasing patterns and the roll out of the coronavirus vaccine among others.
Despite such challenges, we expect the company to keep gaining from its focus on boosting low-risk offerings as well as strong pricing for tobacco products in the forthcoming periods.
Zacks Names “Single Best Pick to Double”
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
You know this company from its past glory days, but few would expect that it’s poised for a monster turnaround. Fresh from a successful repositioning and flush with A-list celeb endorsements, it could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in a little more than 9 months and Nvidia which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Altria Group, Inc. (MO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
