MO's third-quarter profit tops expectations on higher pricing and cost savings, even as cigarette and oral tobacco sales slip.
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for Altria (MO) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended September 2025, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
Altria reported mixed Q3 financials, beating on earnings but missing on revenue.
Altria (MO) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.45 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.38 per share a year ago.
Tobacco giant Altria forecast annual profit largely below market expectations on Thursday, hurt by lower demand for its cigarettes and oral smoking alternatives such as on! nicotine pouches.
Altria's pricing power, smoke-free gains and solid margins make it a standout against Philip Morris in a transforming tobacco market.
MO's Q3 results are likely to gain strength from pricing power, cost discipline and growing smoke-free momentum.
Altria (MO) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
Altria's Optimize & Accelerate program reinvests cost savings to fuel smoke-free growth and long-term EPS.
MO's 12% 3-month surge highlights strong earnings, rising smoke-free sales and disciplined execution amid industry weakness.
Altria is rated a buy, with its stable business model, high margins, and strong cash flow supporting solid returns and income. MO has moved past the failed JUUL acquisition, maintaining robust core operations and expanding into higher-margin smokeless products with new partnerships. Second-quarter results beat expectations, with EPS up 6% year-over-year, strong cash flow, and rising net margins despite declining cigarette volumes.
Altria remains a Buy due to its defensive nature, strong shareholder returns, and undervalued stock price despite ongoing cigarette volume declines. Altria's Q2 2025 results showed resilient EPS growth, expanding margins, and robust free cash flow, driven by pricing power and growth in oral tobacco products. The company's 6.45% dividend yield, ongoing buybacks, and conservative leverage support continued capital returns and financial stability.