Tobacco company Altria Group, Inc. (MO) has raised its full-year 2013 reported earnings per share forecast to $2.50 - $2.56, from its prior target of $2.49 - $2.55, to reflect the impact of an additional $36 million credit to be applied against Philip Morris USA Inc.'s or PM USA Master Settlement Agreement payment obligations as a result of two more states joining the prior disclosed settlement with certain states of the non-participating manufacturer adjustment disputes for 2003-2012. This guidance also reflects estimated SABMiller plc special items.
Further, the company comfirmed its annual guidance for adjusted earnings per share, excluding items, of $2.35 - $2.41, representing a growth rate of 6% to 9% from an adjusted earnings per share base of $2.21 in 2012. On average, 15 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimate earnings per share of $2.40 for 2013. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.
The Group is holding an investor day conference in New York City today. Today's presentation also includes an update on Altria's tobacco companies' plans for developing a range of innovative new products to meet the evolving preferences of adult tobacco consumers. Altria's unit, Nu Mark LLC, intends to enter the e-vapor category with the introduction of MarkTen e-cigarettes into a lead market in Indiana this August. Moreover, Nu Mark plans to expand distribution of Verve discs to additional stores in Virginia in the second half of this year.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.