"So far this year, Altria Group Inc. ( NYSE: MO) has offered a benefit that is relatively unusual for high-yield stocks. The share price has risen 26% since the start of the year. The S&P 500 is 14% higher in that time. Megacap tech companies are considered the stock market leaders this year. However, Amazon.com Inc. ( NASDAQ: AMZN) remains flat in 2025, and Apple Inc. ( NASDAQ: AAPL) is up 2%."
"Among the stocks that pay large dividends, Altria is also the safest, based on its long-term performance. Its 6.45% yield is based on a forward dividend of $4.24. Over the past 56 years, it has raised its dividend 60 times. The median age of Americans is 39 years."
"In total, Altria has paid out $32 billion in dividends over the fiscal years 2020 to 2024. It has also purchased $8 billion of its shares during the same period. In the most recently reported quarter, Altria's revenue was down 6% to $5.3 billion. However, its adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were up 6% to $1.23. It affirmed its guidance of a 2% to 5% increase in EPS for the full year."
"Billy Gifford, Altria's chief executive officer, commented, "Our highly profitable traditional tobacco businesses performed well in a challenging environment in the first quarter.""
Altria's share price rose 26% year-to-date while the S&P 500 gained 14%, and the company yields 6.45% based on a $4.24 forward dividend. The company raised its dividend 60 times over 56 years and paid $32 billion in dividends from fiscal 2020–2024 while repurchasing $8 billion of shares. Most revenue derives from cigarette sales. Recent quarterly results showed revenue down 6% to $5.3 billion, adjusted diluted EPS up 6% to $1.23, and affirmed full-year EPS guidance growth of 2%–5%. Industry peers have lagged, with Dow cutting its dividend and Pfizer down this year.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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