Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. It sells its products to distributors, as well as large retail organizations, such as chain stores. The company was founded in 1822 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Altria выглядит как зрелый денежный генератор с сильной маржинальностью, но с заметными структурными ограничениями баланса. P/E на уровне 17.68 ниже медианы отрасли, что само по себе не выглядит дорого, однако P/S 5.25 существенно выше отраслевого уровня и намекает на премию к выручке, которую рынок платит за стабильность и дивиденды. P/FCF 13.46 ниже медианы, что поддерживает оценку, но динамика по годам не показывает явного улучшения, поэтому это скорее умеренный плюс, чем сигнал сильной недооценки. Рентабельность у компании очень высокая: ROA 20.07, ROI 33.54, gross margin 62.47, operating margin 42.52 и net margin 29.77 — все это заметно выше отрасли и подтверждает качество бизнеса. При этом динамика прибыли и операционной прибыли за последние периоды выглядит слабее: net income и operating income в TTM ниже пиковых значений предыдущих кварталов, а выручка также не демонстрирует устойчивого роста. Это ограничивает потенциал переоценки, потому что рынок обычно платит за устойчивое расширение базы продаж, а здесь видна скорее зрелость, чем ускорение. Ликвидность остается слабой: current ratio 0.65 и quick ratio 0.53 ниже комфортных уровней, что для инвестора означает зависимость от стабильного денежного потока и ограниченный запас прочности. Долговая нагрузка выглядит тяжелой в абсолютном выражении: long-term debt около 24.1 млрд, total liabilities около 37.6 млрд, а собственный капитал отрицательный, что делает баланс уязвимым и сдерживает мультипликативное расширение. Дивидендная доходность 1.52% не выглядит высокой для компании с таким профилем, а ее снижение по годам ослабляет инвестиционный аргумент именно как дивидендной истории. В сумме фундаментал скорее поддерживает текущую оценку, чем оправдывает заметное повышение цели, потому что сильные маржи и денежная генерация компенсируются слабой ликвидностью, высоким долгом и отсутствием убедимого роста выручки. Для инвестора это история качества и устойчивости, но не история быстрого роста, поэтому целевой ориентир стоит корректировать лишь умеренно и с консервативным подходом.

Altria Group, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, slightly down. The market does not support the bulls.

Сильный индекс, незначительно вырос. Рынок на стороне медведей.

Strong index, slightly up. The market is on the bears' side.

Слабый индекс, незначительно вырос

Высокая маржа и сильная рентабельность поддерживают MO, но слабая ликвидность, высокий долг и стагнация выручки ограничивают потенциал переоценки.

Investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Coca-Cola (KO) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.
Coca-Cola is one of 173 individual stocks in the Consumer Staples sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #14 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.
The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Coca-Cola is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO's full-year earnings has moved 0.7% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.
Our latest available data shows that KO has returned about 13.6% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Staples group have gained about 6.6% on average. As we can see, Coca-Cola is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
Altria (MO) is another Consumer Staples stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 19.9%.
In Altria's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 1.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Coca-Cola belongs to the Beverages - Soft drinks industry, a group that includes 18 individual stocks and currently sits at #72 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 11.4% so far this year, so KO is performing better in this area.
In contrast, Altria falls under the Tobacco industry. Currently, this industry has 8 stocks and is ranked #194. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +7%.
Investors interested in the Consumer Staples sector may want to keep a close eye on Coca-Cola and Altria as they attempt to continue their solid performance.
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Is Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Outpacing Its Consumer Staples Peers This Year?

The Zacks Tobacco industry is navigating a challenging operating environment marked by persistent pressure on cigarette volumes, elevated costs and a rapidly evolving product landscape. Inflationary and macroeconomic pressures, changing consumer preferences and regulatory restrictions on tobacco sales and marketing continue to weigh on traditional cigarette consumption. Meanwhile, higher costs for key inputs such as tobacco leaf, energy and labor, along with increased investments in next-generation products, are creating additional pressure on margins.
Despite these headwinds, leading players such as Philip Morris International Inc. PM, British American Tobacco p.l.c. BTI and Altria Group, Inc. MO are demonstrating resilience through their focus on smoke-free alternatives. By expanding across heated tobacco, vapor and oral nicotine categories, these companies are aligning with shifting consumer preferences and positioning for long-term growth in an evolving landscape.
About the Industry
The Zacks Tobacco industry includes companies that manufacture and sell cigarettes as well as tobacco and nicotine-based products, such as cigars, snuffs and oral tobacco. Some companies also offer reduced-risk products (RRPs), such as e-cigarettes, vaping and heat-not-burn variants. A few of the firms are engaged in making devices and attachments needed in vaping and heat-not-burn products. Most products manufactured by the tobacco industry participants fall under the strict vigilance of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are required to follow the permissible levels of nicotine in manufacturing. Players in this space sell products mostly through large retailers, distributors, convenience stores, drugstores, wholesalers and grocery chains. Some international tobacco firms also operate in the country through subsidiaries.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Tobacco Industry
Persistent Pressure on Cigarette Volumes: The tobacco industry continues to face significant challenges in cigarette sales volumes amid persistent inflation and broader macroeconomic pressures that have altered consumer spending behavior. Rising costs and the increasing adoption of smoke-free alternatives are contributing to declining cigarette consumption. In addition, regulatory restrictions on sales, advertising and manufacturing, driven by concerns surrounding nicotine use, continue to weigh on volumes. Since traditional cigarettes remain a major source of revenues for tobacco companies, the ongoing decline in cigarette sales remains a key concern for the industry.
Escalated Costs: Industry participants continue to grapple with elevated costs. Inflationary pressures affecting key inputs such as tobacco leaf, energy and labor remain a concern. At the same time, increased investments in research, development and commercialization of smoke-free products are adding to cost burdens. These factors collectively pose risks to profit margins, even as companies seek to offset pressures through pricing actions, productivity initiatives and cost efficiencies.
Rising Popularity of Smoke-Free Options: The growing adoption of smoke-free alternatives, including heated tobacco, vapor products and oral nicotine, is reshaping the tobacco landscape. Increasing health awareness, changing consumer preferences and evolving regulatory frameworks are supporting the shift toward perceived lower-risk and more modern nicotine options. These reduced-risk products, backed by ongoing innovation and expanding product offerings, are gaining traction across markets. In response, major tobacco companies are accelerating investments in these categories to strengthen their smoke-free portfolios and enhance product appeal. As a result, the industry is witnessing a gradual shift in revenue mix, with continued growth in smoke-free products expected to support long-term transformation.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull Prospects
The Zacks Tobacco industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #217, which places it in the bottom 12% of more than 247 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates drab near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Since the beginning of April 2026, the consensus estimate for the industry’s current financial-year earnings has decreased 0.5%.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry vs. Broader Market
The Zacks Tobacco industry has underperformed the S&P 500 composite but outperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector over the past year.
The industry has gained 5.4% over this period compared with the broader sector’s growth of 0.6%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has risen 29.5% in the said time frame.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), which is commonly used for valuing consumer staple stocks, the industry is currently trading at 15.52X compared with the S&P 500’s 21.65X and the sector’s 16.94X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 16.19X, as low as 9.03X and at the median of 11.39X, as the chart below shows.
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past Five Years)
3 Tobacco Stocks Worth Considering
Philip Morris International: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is undergoing a long-term transformation from traditional cigarettes toward a predominantly smoke-free future. The company has established itself as a leader in reduced-risk products through innovation, strong brand equity and pricing power, supported by a growing multi-category portfolio. Flagship brands such as IQOS and ZYN continue to gain traction across markets, helping reshape the company’s product mix in line with evolving consumer preferences. This strategic shift, combined with the resilience of its combustible business, positions Philip Morris to drive sustainable growth and support long-term value creation. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PM’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $8.43 and $9.23, respectively. Shares of Philip Morris have fallen 1.8% in the past year.
Price and Consensus: PM
British American Tobacco: The company is steadily advancing its transition toward a reduced-risk, smoke-free future through a diversified multi-category strategy. This Zacks Rank #3 company has been investing in next-generation products across vapor, heated tobacco and modern oral nicotine, supported by ongoing innovation and expanding global reach. Flagship brands such as Vuse, glo and Velo are gaining traction, enabling British American Tobacco to progressively rebalance its portfolio in line with shifting consumer preferences and regulatory trends. Backed by strong pricing power and the continued cash generation from the traditional combustible business, the company is well-positioned to support its transformation while maintaining resilient performance in a competitive global tobacco landscape.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BTI’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has decreased from $4.82 to $4.81 and from $5.23 to $5.22, respectively, in the past seven days. Shares of BTI have jumped 20.5% in the past year.
Price and Consensus: BTI
Altria Group: This Zacks Rank #3 company is gradually advancing its transition toward a smoke-free future while leveraging the strength of the traditional tobacco business. The company is focusing on reduced-risk products, innovation and disciplined execution as it adapts to evolving consumer preferences and a complex regulatory landscape. A key component of this strategy is Altria’s oral nicotine pouch brand, on!, which continues to expand its presence in the growing category. Supported by strong pricing power and the enduring equity of flagship brands such as Marlboro, Altria is using its highly cash-generative business to support long-term growth and navigate the changing U.S. tobacco market.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MO’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $5.68 and $5.87, respectively. Shares of Altria have surged 15.9% in the past year.
Price and Consensus: MO
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3 Tobacco Stocks to Keep an Eye on Amid Market Headwinds

Altria (MO) ended the recent trading session at $68.97, demonstrating a -1.75% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.22%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.98%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 1.35%.
The stock of owner of Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette maker has fallen by 5.15% in the past month, lagging the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 1.54% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.56%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Altria in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on July 30, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.48, showcasing a 2.78% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $5.35 billion, up 1.06% from the year-ago period.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $5.68 per share and a revenue of $20.53 billion, indicating changes of +4.8% and +1.96%, respectively, from the former year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Altria should also be noted by investors. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. As of now, Altria holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
In terms of valuation, Altria is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 12.35. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 12.77.
Also, we should mention that MO has a PEG ratio of 2.62. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The average PEG ratio for the Tobacco industry stood at 2.12 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Tobacco industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, positioning it in the bottom 21% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.
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Altria (MO) Suffers a Larger Drop Than the General Market: Key Insights

Key Points
Altria Group's business formula has worked for decades, and that's unlikely to change soon.
Walmart will thrive as long as U.S. consumers continue to value low prices.
Coca-Cola continues to show why it's one of Warren Buffett's favorite stocks.
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1. This could be the world's most resilient business
Altria Group (NYSE: MO) sells tobacco and nicotine products in the United States, led by its Marlboro cigarette brand. Smoking rates in the United States have steadily declined for many decades. Yet Altria Group has 56 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. And yes, Altria ships fewer cigarettes each year. Despite that, Altria continues to grow its profits by cutting costs and raising prices. Nicotine might be the most addictive legal substance on Earth, which affords tobacco companies unique pricing power.
The obvious concern is that eventually, this playbook won't work as volumes shrink too much to overcome. But that concern is now decades old, and Altria still chugs on. Management has failed to diversify the business, but there's still time to get that right over the coming years. Altria's dividend payout ratio is still manageable at 75% of 2026 earnings estimates, and Wall Street anticipates low-to-mid single-digit annualized earnings growth.
Until then, Altria stock boasts a robust 5.9% dividend yield, sells a recession-proof product, and will almost assuredly continue inching that dividend higher year after year. Investors should be able to buy Altria and sleep well at night, at least for the next several years.
2. This retail giant still has a bright future
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) is the world's largest retailer and a focal point of consumer spending in the United States. Its massive size and scale give it leverage with suppliers and overwhelming efficiencies to sell its goods at low prices that competitors simply cannot sustain. Today, roughly 90% of Americans live within a short drive of a Walmart store.
Consumers can go to Walmart for groceries and household essentials, pick out a new TV, and have their tires changed, all in the same trip. Therefore, Walmart stores are typically busy, and that constant activity has made it a tremendous dividend stock with 53 consecutive annual dividend increases. Walmart has also adapted to industry changes, utilizing its store network to compete with Amazon in e-commerce. That has become a major growth engine for the future.
Analysts see Walmart growing earnings by 9% to 10% annually over the next three to five years, funding more dividend hikes along the way. Shoppers will almost certainly continue shopping at Walmart, so there's almost zero risk that the bottom will fall out of this world-class business model. Investors can buy, hold, and continue to count on Walmart no matter how shaky the markets may become.
3. A Buffett favorite and iconic brand
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) adds to this ongoing theme of products people need, no matter what happens. People will always get thirsty, and Coca-Cola is the best at capitalizing on that. It's a global beverage juggernaut with countless distribution points worldwide, including stores, venues, vending machines, you name it. Coca-Cola is known for its namesake soda but also sells dozens of other brands of soda, water, juice, coffee, tea, and more.
There's no better endorsement a stock can get than from legendary investor Warren Buffett, who bought Coca-Cola stock for Berkshire Hathaway in the late 1980s. Buffett is a known fan of the iconic brand, and Berkshire Hathaway still holds the stock today. Part of the reason for that is Coca-Cola's clockwork-like dividend. The company has paid and raised the dividend for 64 consecutive years. Plus, the stock offers a solid initial dividend yield of 2.5% right now.
There's no reason to doubt the resiliency of Coca-Cola's dividend. Analysts see the company growing earnings by an average of 7% to 8% annually over the next three to five years. Coca-Cola sells more than 2.2 billion servings each day. All those little transactions add up to massive profits, and it's unlikely people worldwide will suddenly stop drinking its products. Investors can be like Buffett and put their hard-earned capital into Coca-Cola stock.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

No Matter What Happens to the Market, These 3 Dividend Stocks Belong in Your Portfolio

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 16, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Pfizer Inc. PFE, Altria Group, Inc. MO, Newmont Corp. NEM, Koil Energy Solutions, Inc. KLNG and Stratus Properties Inc. STRS.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Pfizer, Altria and Newmont Corp.
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Pfizer Inc., Altria Group, Inc. and Newmont Corp., as well as two micro-cap stocks, Koil Energy Solutions, Inc. and Stratus Properties Inc. These research reports have been hand-picked from roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Today's Featured Research Reports
Pfizer’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+7.4% vs. +23.4%). Per the Zacks analyst, the company faces challenges from looming patent expirations on several key drugs, which could weigh on future sales. Its outlook points to limited near-term growth, and the company must navigate competitive pressures while managing the impact of declining legacy product revenues.
However, Pfizer’s non-COVID business is strengthening, supported by strong demand for key medicines, recent product launches, and acquired assets. The company is also rebuilding its oncology and obesity pipeline, which could support longer-term growth and help offset future patent-related headwinds.
(You can read the full research report on Pfizer here >>>)
Altria’s shares have outperformed the Tobacco industry over the past year (+22.3% vs. +6.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that Altria benefits from strong pricing, resilient margins, disciplined cost management and progress in its smoke-free strategy through oral nicotine products and other reduced-risk investments. Its focus on profitability, cash generation and shareholder returns adds to its appeal.
Challenges include ongoing cigarette volume declines, consumer trade-down trends, pressure on Marlboro’s market share, rising competition in smoke-free categories and regulatory restrictions that could limit long-term growth.
(You can read the full research report on Altria here >>>)
Newmont’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Mining - Gold industry over the past year (+72.5% vs. +43.9%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefits from strong execution, progress on key growth projects and an enhanced asset portfolio following its acquisition of Newcrest. The company is focused on operational efficiency, shareholder returns and stands to gain from a favorable gold-price environment.
Yet rising production costs may pressure margins, while lower gold output could weigh on results. Elevated sustaining capital spending and expectations for higher investment needs have also raised concerns about cash flow generation.
Koil Energy’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry over the past two years (+250.5% vs. +67.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from strong backlog growth, steady contract wins and favorable offshore spending trends. Its expanding service business and integrated subsea offerings support more stable revenues and future growth.
However, margin pressure, high operating costs and weak earnings conversion remain concerns. Liquidity risks, working-capital volatility and reliance on fixed-price contracts could also weigh on performance.
Stratus’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Real Estate - Operations industry over the past two years (+13.0% vs. +34.9%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company faces risks from executing asset sales in a challenging real estate market, regulatory uncertainty around key projects, debt-related pressures and reliance on external capital. Weaker multifamily market conditions could also affect timelines and asset values.
Yet, its liquidation strategy provides a clear path to unlocking value. Strong liquidity, expected near-term asset sales and a diversified land portfolio offer flexibility and multiple opportunities for monetization.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Pfizer, Altria, Newmont, Koil Energy and Stratus Properties

Monday, June 15, 2026
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Altria Group, Inc. (MO) and Newmont Corp. (NEM), as well as two micro-cap stocks, Koil Energy Solutions, Inc. (KLNG) and Stratus Properties Inc. (STRS). These research reports have been hand-picked from roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Ahead of Wall Street
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> Peace Agreement Sends Pre-Market Futures Higher
Today's Featured Research Reports
Pfizer’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+7.4% vs. +23.4%). Per the Zacks analyst, the company faces challenges from looming patent expirations on several key drugs, which could weigh on future sales. Its outlook points to limited near-term growth, and the company must navigate competitive pressures while managing the impact of declining legacy product revenues.
However, Pfizer’s non-COVID business is strengthening, supported by strong demand for key medicines, recent product launches, and acquired assets. The company is also rebuilding its oncology and obesity pipeline, which could support longer-term growth and help offset future patent-related headwinds.
(You can read the full research report on Pfizer here >>>)
Altria’s shares have outperformed the Tobacco industry over the past year (+22.3% vs. +6.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that Altria benefits from strong pricing, resilient margins, disciplined cost management and progress in its smoke-free strategy through oral nicotine products and other reduced-risk investments. Its focus on profitability, cash generation and shareholder returns adds to its appeal.
Challenges include ongoing cigarette volume declines, consumer trade-down trends, pressure on Marlboro’s market share, rising competition in smoke-free categories and regulatory restrictions that could limit long-term growth.
(You can read the full research report on Altria here >>>)
Newmont’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Mining - Gold industry over the past year (+72.5% vs. +43.9%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefits from strong execution, progress on key growth projects and an enhanced asset portfolio following its acquisition of Newcrest. The company is focused on operational efficiency, shareholder returns and stands to gain from a favorable gold-price environment.
Yet rising production costs may pressure margins, while lower gold output could weigh on results. Elevated sustaining capital spending and expectations for higher investment needs have also raised concerns about cash flow generation.
(You can read the full research report on Newmont here >>>)
Koil Energy’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry over the past two years (+250.5% vs. +67.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from strong backlog growth, steady contract wins and favorable offshore spending trends. Its expanding service business and integrated subsea offerings support more stable revenues and future growth.
However, margin pressure, high operating costs and weak earnings conversion remain concerns. Liquidity risks, working-capital volatility and reliance on fixed-price contracts could also weigh on performance.
(You can read the full research report on Koil Energy here >>>)
Stratus’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Real Estate - Operations industry over the past two years (+13.0% vs. +34.9%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company faces risks from executing asset sales in a challenging real estate market, regulatory uncertainty around key projects, debt-related pressures and reliance on external capital. Weaker multifamily market conditions could also affect timelines and asset values.
Yet, its liquidation strategy provides a clear path to unlocking value. Strong liquidity, expected near-term asset sales and a diversified land portfolio offer flexibility and multiple opportunities for monetization.
(You can read the full research report on Stratus here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Interactive Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG), The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) and AMETEK, Inc. (AME).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Strong Nuclear Fleet, Investments Aid Constellation Energy (CEG)
Per the Zacks analyst Constellation Energy's (CEG) efficient and reliable nuclear fleet having a high capacity factor and strategic investment plans will continue to boost its performance.
Strong Contracted Power Projects Aids Williams Companies (WMB)
The Zacks analyst believes that Williams Companies' fully contracted power projects create predictable cash flows but is worried over its high debt burden.
Wabtec (WAB) Gains From Installed Base Aftermarket Amid Tariff Issues
Per the Zacks Analyst, Wabtec benefits from a large installed base and long-cycle freight and transit spending, supporting aftermarket demand. Tariff and manufacturing cost pressure act as headwinds.
Hartford (HIG) Rides On Growing Premium, High Expenses Ail
Per the Zacks analyst, growth in earned premiums will lead to higher profits for Hartford. However, rising operating expenses remain a concern.
Rocket (RKT) Benefits From AI and Servicing Scale, Cost Woes Ail
Per the Zacks analyst, Rocket gains from its large servicing portfolio and AI-driven efficiency, boosting conversions and origination growth. Integration costs will remain elevated, hurting profits.
Alcon (ALC) Banks on New Innovations, Macro Woes Worry
The Zacks analyst is impressed with Alcon's recent product launches aiding top-line growth, along with share gains in key categories, mainly in U.S. AT-IOLs. Macroeconomic pressures may hurt growth.
AMETEK (AME) Benefits From Order Momentum and Acquisitions
Per the Zacks Analyst, AMETEK is benefiting from strong execution across its operating groups, record orders, a growing backlog and strategic acquisitions supporting long-term grpwth.
New Upgrades
Increasing Adoption of Dragonfly Platform Aids Onto Innovation (ONTO)
Per the Zacks analyst, Onto Innovation's top-line is gaining from higher demand for the Dragonfly platform. Momentum in both advanced packaging and advanced nodes is a tailwind.
Credo (CRDO) Gains From Strength in AEC and Optical Portfolio
Per the Zacks analyst, AEC adoption, rising hyperscaler and Neo cloud traction, and a larger optical portfolio that now includes silicon photonics PIC technology bode well for Credo.
Paycom Software (PAYC) Benefits From Growing Customer Base
Per the Zacks Analyst, Paycom Software is benefiting from its differentiated employee strategy, measurement capabilities and comprehensive product offerings that are helping it win new customers.
New Downgrades
General Mills' (GIS) Margins Appear Troubled by Higher Cost Inflation
Per the Zacks analyst, General Mills is witnessing elevated cost inflation. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, adjusted gross margin fell 280 basis points due to higher input costs and other factors
Slower Joins & Paused Pricing Ail Planet Fitness' (PLNT) Prospects
Per the Zacks analyst, Planet Fitness faces softer net member growth as marketing resets, macro pressure and competition weigh. A paused Black Card hike and lower 2026 outlook pose concerns.
Weak Retailer Demand & Tariff Pressures Hurt JAKKS Pacific (JAKK)
Per the Zacks analyst, JAKKS Pacific is being hurt by cautious retailer ordering and soft U.S. demand trends. Also, tariff-related costs and margin pressures remain concerns.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
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
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Top Research Reports for Pfizer, Altria & Newmont Corp.

Key Points
SpaceX’s IPO looks too hot to handle.
It’s smarter to accumulate some “boring” dividend stocks instead of that hot space stock.
SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX), the aerospace and AI company founded by Elon Musk, went public at $135 per share on June 12. It opened at $150 and now trades at $180, giving it a market cap of $2.1 trillion and making it the world's sixth-most-valuable company.
But at that valuation, SpaceX trades at 113 times its 2025 revenue of $18.7 billion. It's also unprofitable, since the losses at its space division and newly integrated AI division (which includes xAI and X) are completely erasing Starlink's profits. Therefore, I wouldn't touch SpaceX's stock until the hype dies down and it cools to more reasonable valuations.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Instead, I'd continue to accumulate rock-solid dividend stocks that will generate consistent income even if the next market crash wipes out high-flying stocks like SpaceX. These three stocks make the cut: Realty Income (NYSE: O), The Williams Companies (NYSE: WMB), and Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM).
Realty Income
Realty Income, which owns more than 15,500 commercial properties, is one of the world's largest real estate investment trusts (REITs). It primarily leases its properties to recession-resistant businesses, such as convenience stores, drugstores, and discount retailers.
It's maintained an occupancy rate above 96% since its IPO in 1994. As an REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its investors as dividends, and it pays monthly dividends instead of quarterly ones. It's raised its payout 135 times since its public debut, and it currently pays a forward dividend yield of 5.2%.
Its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share (which REITs use to gauge their profitability) rose by 2% in 2025. It expects that figure to grow abother 3%-4% to $4.41-$4.44 per share in 2026 to cover its forward dividend rate of $3.25 per share. Its stock trades at just 14 times that earnings estimate, making it a cheap dividend play in this frothy market.
The Williams Companies
Williams is a midstream company that operates more than 33,000 miles of pipeline in the United States. Unlike other pipeline companies, which often transport a mix of natural gas, crude oil, and other resources, Williams primarily handles natural gas through its Transco pipeline that runs from Texas to the Eastern Seaboard.
Williams handles roughly 30% of the country's natural gas production, putting it in a prime position to profit from the growth of the power-hungry AI, cloud, and data center markets. It's so building "behind the meter" (BTM) sites at data centers to provide hyperscalers with a stable flow of natural gas while bypassing traditional utilities. As a pipeline operator, it's well-insulated from volatile commodity prices because it merely collects "tolls" for using its infrastructure.
Analysts expect Williams' EPS to grow 13% to $2.38 this year, which will cover its forward dividend rate of $2.10 per share. That's a 2.9% yield, and it's raised its payout annually for 10 consecutive years. It also still looks like a bargain at 15 times this year's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).
Philip Morris International
Philip Morris International, which was spun off from Altria (NYSE: MO) in 2008, is one of the world's largest tobacco companies. It generates nearly all of its revenue overseas, while Altria remains in the U.S. market. Both companies own Marlboro, the world's top cigarette brand.
PMI, like Altria, is grappling with declining smoking rates. To offset that pressure, it consistently raises its cigarette prices and cuts costs. It's also expanding its portfolio of smoke-free products -- including its iQOS heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and its Zyn nicotine pouches -- to reduce its long-term dependence on cigarettes. In 2025, its sales of smoke-free products rose 14% organically and accounted for nearly 43% of its top line.
That's why it's still a reliable long-term investment. Analysts expect its adjusted EPS to grow 12% to $8.42 in 2026, comfortably covering its forward dividend rate of $5.88 per share. That equals a forward yield of 3.2%. It's raised its payout every year since its spin-off from Altria, and it still looks reasonably valued at 22 times forward earnings.
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Leo Sun has positions in Altria Group, Realty Income, and Williams Companies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Philip Morris International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Forget the SpaceX IPO: 3 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks to Build Your Portfolio Around

An updated edition of the March 5, 2026, article.
Investing is often viewed through the lens of financial returns, but some sectors of the market raise questions that go beyond balance sheets and earnings reports. Among these are "sin stocks" —companies that generate revenues from products or services that some people consider ethically controversial. Despite the moral debate surrounding them, sin stocks have long attracted investors seeking stable cash flows, resilient demand and attractive shareholder returns.
Sin stocks refer to shares of companies operating in industries that are often considered socially or morally controversial, such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, firearms and cannabis. Despite the ethical debate surrounding them, these businesses tend to generate steady demand and strong cash flows, making them a notable segment of the equity market.
The sin stock market functions much like any other segment of the equity market. These companies are publicly traded, generate revenues, report earnings and compete for market share.
Major players in these industries include tobacco giant Turning Point Brands TPB, leading alcohol producer The Boston Beer Company Inc. SAM, casino operators and companies dealing in cannabis. Because their products often have loyal consumer bases, these companies tend to maintain relatively stable sales even amid economic downturns.
For decades, "sin stocks" have occupied a unique corner of the investment world. While they often spark ethical debates, these companies have also built a reputation for generating resilient cash flows, rewarding shareholders and weathering economic downturns better than many traditional businesses.
As Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing gains traction and societal attitudes continue to evolve, investors are once again asking a critical question: do sin stocks still deserve a place in a modern portfolio?
Why Do Investors Buy Sin Stocks?
The appeal of sin stocks has little to do with controversy and everything to do with business fundamentals. Many sin industries benefit from relatively stable demand, regardless of economic conditions. Consumers tend to continue purchasing cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and gambling services even during recessions. This defensive quality can help protect revenues when discretionary spending declines.
Companies operating in the tobacco and alcohol markets often possess significant pricing power. Established brands can increase prices without experiencing a proportional decline in demand. This ability to pass costs on to consumers helps support profitability even during inflationary periods.
Another reason investors choose sin stocks is their high profitability and dividend potential. Many sin stocks operate in mature industries with predictable cash flows and limited capital expenditure requirements. As a result, companies frequently return substantial capital to shareholders through dividend payments, share repurchase programs and special distributions. Income-focused investors often find these businesses particularly attractive.
A growing number of institutional investors, pension funds and ESG-focused portfolios exclude sin stocks from their investment universe. This reduced participation can sometimes lead to lower valuations, creating opportunities for investors willing to own these companies.
Trends in Sin Stock Sectors
Sin stock sectors are evolving as consumer behavior, technology and regulations reshape traditional industries, such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. Tobacco companies remain among the most prominent examples of sin stock investing. Although smoking rates have declined across many developed markets, industry leaders have maintained profitability through price increases, international expansion and investments in reduced-risk products, such as heated tobacco and nicotine pouches.
Alcohol producers benefit from strong brand loyalty and recurring consumer demand. Global spirits, beer and wine companies have increasingly focused on premium products, helping improve margins and drive revenue growth. Premiumization remains one of the most important trends shaping the industry, as consumers increasingly choose higher-quality products over larger quantities.
The gambling industry has undergone a significant transformation in the past decade. The rise of online casinos, mobile betting apps and legalized sports wagering has opened growth avenues for operators. Technology has fundamentally changed how consumers engage with gambling services, making the industry more accessible and scalable than ever before.
Cannabis is often viewed as the emerging segment of the sin stock universe. As legalization expands across various jurisdictions, companies are seeking to build national and global brands.
While the sector offers significant growth potential, it also presents elevated risks due to regulatory uncertainty, pricing pressures, limited profitability and capital constraints. For many investors, cannabis remains a high-risk, high-reward opportunity.
Regulatory changes and higher “sin taxes” remain a defining factor for these industries, influencing profitability and stock performance. Governments often impose higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol and gaming to discourage consumption while raising revenues. Overall, while the sin stock sectors face regulatory scrutiny, innovation, digital expansion and shifting consumer preferences continue to shape their long-term growth prospects.
If you are looking to capitalize on this trend, our Sin Stocks Screen makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. MCRI, Churchill Downs Incorporated CHDN, and Altria Group, Inc. MO.
Explore 36 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and uncover your next big opportunity.
Monarch Casino presents a compelling long-term investment case, supported by its premium regional resort strategy, disciplined execution and focus on operational excellence. The company continues to strengthen its competitive position in key markets by enhancing guest experiences through property upgrades, modern gaming amenities and high-quality hospitality offerings. Management remains focused on targeted marketing, cost discipline and strategic reinvestment in its flagship properties to attract higher-value customers and increase spending per visit.
Its concentrated portfolio provides greater control over service quality, capital allocation and expense management. Backed by consistent property enhancements and a focus on premium experiences, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company appears well-positioned to sustain visitation growth, support margin expansion and generate stable cash flows over the long term. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Churchill Downs has been strengthening its long-term growth profile through a combination of iconic racing assets, expanding Historical Racing Machine (HRM) operations and disciplined capital allocation. Management highlighted record second-quarter revenues and adjusted EBITDA, supported by strong Kentucky Derby wagering, premium hospitality demand and solid performance across its gaming portfolio.
The company is also benefiting from growth initiatives, including HRM expansions in Kentucky and Virginia, a new seven-year NBC media agreement beginning in 2026 and ongoing investments in the Churchill Downs racetrack. Robust free cash flow generation, aggressive share repurchases and anticipated tax savings further enhance shareholder value, positioning the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company for sustained earnings growth and margin expansion.
Altria offers an attractive investment proposition, supported by its strong pricing power, resilient cash flows and shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy. The company continues to offset cigarette volume declines through effective pricing actions across its smokeable and oral tobacco businesses, driving margin expansion and earnings growth.
Altria is also advancing its smoke-free transformation through the expansion of on! PLUS and investments in reduced-risk products, positioning itself to benefit from evolving consumer preferences. Robust free cash flow generation supports its industry-leading dividend yield and ongoing share repurchases. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
Research Chief 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.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Sin Stocks Under the Microscope: Risks, Returns & Reality

Altria (MO) reached a significant support level, and could be a good pick for investors from a technical perspective. Recently, MO broke through the 20-day moving average, which suggests a short-term bullish trend.
The 20-day simple moving average is a well-liked trading tool because it provides a look back at a stock's price over a 20-day period. Additionally, short-term traders find this SMA very beneficial, as it smooths out short-term price trends and shows more trend reversal signals than longer-term moving averages.
Like other SMAs, if a stock's price is moving above the 20-day, the trend is considered positive. When the price falls below the moving average, it can signal a downward trend.
Over the past four weeks, MO has gained 6%. The company is currently ranked a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), another strong indication the stock could move even higher.
Looking at MO's earnings estimate revisions, investors will be even more convinced of the bullish uptrend. There have been 5 revisions higher for the current fiscal year compared to none lower, and the consensus estimate has moved up as well.
Investors may want to watch MO for more gains in the near future given the company's key technical level and positive earnings estimate revisions.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
See Stocks Now >>
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Altria (MO) Just Overtook the 20-Day Moving Average

Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA is likely to witness top-line growth when it reports first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings on June 8, 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $51.8 million, indicating an increase of 46.9% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.
The consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged over the past 30 days at 3 cents a share, which is in line with the year-ago period. MAMA has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 125%, on average.
Factors Likely to Influence MAMA’s Upcoming Results
Mama’s Creations is likely to have benefited from continued distribution gains and deeper penetration across key retail accounts in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. The company entered the quarter with recent placement wins at major national retailers, including Walmart, Target and Food Lion, while management remained focused on expanding products carried by existing customers. Growing shelf presence, broader geographic reach and increasing branded placements are expected to have supported sales momentum.
Another key driver is expected to be the ongoing integration of the Crown 1 acquisition. Management has highlighted progress in centralizing procurement and logistics, optimizing production across its manufacturing network and realizing operational synergies. Cross-selling opportunities between MAMA’s legacy customer base and Crown 1’s premium accounts have also started to gain traction, creating additional avenues for growth. These efforts support the company’s strategy of becoming a one-stop-shop provider of fresh prepared foods.
Mama’s Creations is also benefiting from favorable consumer trends, with shoppers increasingly seeking fresh, convenient and protein-focused meal solutions. Product innovation, including new prepared-food offerings and No Antibiotics Ever chicken products, along with expanded marketing and promotional initiatives, is likely to have supported customer acquisition and product velocities.
On the downside, the quarter may have been affected by inflationary pressures in key commodity and freight markets. Although management has implemented pricing actions, commodity contracts and operational initiatives to offset these headwinds, cost inflation and ongoing optimization efforts related to the Crown 1 integration may have created some near-term pressure on profitability.
Q1 Earnings Whispers for MAMA
Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for Mama's Creations this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.
Mama's Creations currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Altria Group, Inc. MO currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.72% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its upcoming quarter’s revenues is pegged at $5.35 billion, indicating a 1.1% rise from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for Altria’s earnings is pegged at $1.48 per share, implying 2.8% growth from the year-ago quarter. MO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.9%, on average.
Darling Ingredients DAR currently has an Earnings ESP of +22.16% and a Zacks Rank #3. The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.73 billion, which indicates an increase of 17.1% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling Ingredients’ upcoming quarter’s earnings per share is pegged at $1.20, calling for a substantial jump from the year-ago period’s figure of 9 cents. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.1%, on average.
Albertsons Companies ACI currently has an Earnings ESP of +14.25% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pinned at $24.82 billion, which indicates a 0.3% dip from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Albertsons’ upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at 55 cents, which is in line with the year-ago period figure. ACI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.9%, on average.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Altria Group, Inc.

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