-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
Altria (MO) posted Q1 adjusted EPS of $1.32 vs. $1.23 (+7%), well above the $1.25 consensus. Net revenue rose 5.3% to $4.76B ($180M above consensus) as higher price realizations fully offset lower volumes, which declined 2.3% for smokeable products and 3.1% for oral tobacco. MO maintained 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.56-$5.72, the midpoint of which is ahead of the $5.62 consensus and implies Y/Y growth of 2.5%-5.5% from the $5.42 earned in 2025. The company expects more balanced growth between the first and second halves of 2026, with guidance now contemplating moderated e-vapor industry growth impacts and increased macroeconomic uncertainty. MO repurchased $280M in shares and paid $1.8B in dividends during the quarter. Despite the big Q1 beat, MO shares are currently trading flat in pre-market trading, likely reflecting concerns as to why the company didn't raise full-year guidance considering the strength of Q1 results. However, we note that MO has a long history of providing conservative guidance.