Latest news with #smokeFree
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VEEV Volumes Double: Will Philip Morris' E-Vapor Bet Pay Off?
Philip Morris International (PM) saw its e-vapor brand VEEV more than double shipment volumes year over year in the second quarter of 2025, a striking development in the multi-category smoke-free strategy. With nearly 1.5 billion equivalent units shipped in the first half of 2025, VEEV is increasingly emerging as a viable growth engine alongside the more mature IQOS and ZYN brands. Europe remains the driving force behind VEEV's success, where it now holds the #1 closed pod position in six markets, including Italy and Greece. PM's profitability-driven rollout strategy is gaining traction, further boosted by repeat purchase rates and rising consumer loyalty, indicators of deeper market penetration. PM recently launched its latest innovation, VEEV inPRIME, in the Czech Republic. The product offers an upgraded premium user experience with enhanced flavor intensity, larger vapor clouds and extended battery life, all with an optimized pod cost profile. The launch reflects PM's continued push to elevate user satisfaction and strengthen VEEV's premium positioning within its smoke-free portfolio. Beyond Europe, early traction in Indonesia, Canada and Colombia highlights the brand's global potential, with further rollouts underway. Importantly, PM seeks to leverage its multi-category infrastructure under the IQOS umbrella, defined by quality, premiumness and superior technology, to support VEEV's expansion and build consumer loyalty across markets. While still smaller in scale than PM's flagship offerings, VEEV's accelerating volumes and improving unit economics indicate growing traction. As the company continues to expand its smoke-free portfolio, VEEV's progress will be worth watching, particularly amid ongoing shifts in consumer preferences and regulatory landscapes. PM's Competition in E-Vapor, Oral Nicotine Growth Altria Group, Inc. (MO) is actively revamping its NJOY product line, aiming to re-enter the e-vapor market with a redesigned device while expanding the vapor portfolio. However, Altria Group continues to face regulatory hurdles and patent litigation that may delay its timeline. Meanwhile, Altria Group's oral nicotine brand, on!, gained 10 share points year over year in the second quarter of 2025, driving significant profit growth in the oral segment. In contrast, Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB) reported nearly 10x year-over-year growth in white nicotine pouch sales, generating $22.3 million in revenues in the first quarter of 2025. Turning Point Brands credited this surge to the launch of ALP and expanded distribution of FRE. Building on this momentum, Turning Point Brands raised its full-year modern oral sales guidance to $80-$95 million, indicating strong consumer uptake and aggressive retail expansion. PM's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates Shares of Philip Morris have lost 10% in the past month compared with the industry's decline of 2.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, PM trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.3X, up from the industry's average of 14.7X. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PM's 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 14% and 12%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Philip Morris currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 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 Altria Group, Inc. (MO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
05-07-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Tobacco report shows progress on anti-smoking policies worldwide
Measures linked to falling tobacco use worldwide now reach 6.1 billion people — or 75 percent of the global population, according to a report from the World Health Organization. The report, issued at the recent World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, found that 2.6 billion people in 79 countries are covered by smoke-free policies in indoor public places.
Globe and Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Will Altria's Smoke-Free Bets Deliver Long-Term Revenue Lift?
Altria Group, Inc. MO is doubling down on its shift to a smoke-free future, but the critical question is whether this strategic pivot can deliver sustained long-term revenue growth. In the first quarter of 2025, the company's oral tobacco portfolio — anchored by its on! nicotine pouch brand — continued to gain traction. Shipment volumes for on! increased 18% year over year to over 39 million cans. Notably, its market share in the oral tobacco category expanded by 1.8 percentage points to 8.8%, while its share of the nicotine pouch market rose to 17.9%. These gains came despite retail price hikes, reflecting both strong consumer loyalty and brand strength. This momentum helped drive a modest 0.5% increase in Oral Tobacco Products revenues to $654 million in the first quarter, largely attributed to pricing power. While the growth rate may seem tepid, the ability to grow revenues amid volume pressure and macroeconomic uncertainty signals strong underlying fundamentals. On the vapor front, Altria faces tougher terrain. Regulatory setbacks have forced the discontinuation of NJOY ACE, its flagship e-vapor product. However, the company plans to launch new, compliant alternatives. If successful, the revamped NJOY lineup could help recapture vapor market share. Long-term success hinges on Altria's ability to scale its reduced-risk portfolio (RRPs) while navigating regulatory headwinds. If it can maintain pricing power, expand distribution and deliver innovation across smoke-free platforms, its transformation may indeed support a durable revenue lift — even as traditional cigarette volumes continue to decline. MO's Competition in the Smoke-Free Category Philip Morris International Inc. PM and British American Tobacco p.l.c. BTI are the key tobacco companies competing with Altria in the smoke-free category. Philip Morris is accelerating its shift toward RRPs, with smoke-free offerings contributing 44% of first-quarter 2025 gross profit. Driven by IQOS, ZYN and VEEV, it saw strong volume growth, a 20.4% rise in net revenues and a 33.1% increase in smoke-free gross profit. ZYN shipments rallied 53% in the United States, while VEEV volumes more than doubled in Europe. With products in 95 markets and 38.6 million users, Philip Morris is advancing toward a smoke-free future. British American Tobacco is reshaping its business around RRPs, targeting 50 million consumers by 2030 and aiming for a 50% revenue contribution by 2035. In 2024, its smokeless user base reached 29.1 million, with New Category revenues up 2.5%. British American Tobacco's flagship brands — Vuse, glo and Velo — have collectively driven over £3 billion in revenues, reflecting its progress toward a smoke-free future. MO's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates Shares of Altria have gained 12.5% year to date compared with the industry 's growth of 37.7%. From a valuation standpoint, MO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.76X, below the industry's average of 15.36X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MO's 2025 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.9%, whereas its 2026 earnings estimate suggests a year-over-year uptick of 3.3%. The estimates for 2025 and 2026 have moved up in the past 30 days. MO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 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 Altria Group, Inc. (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report Philip Morris International Inc. (PM): Free Stock Analysis Report British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI): Free Stock Analysis Report
National Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Philip Morris International Participates in dbAccess Global Consumer Conference
Article content Article content Philip Morris International Inc.'s (PMI) (NYSE: PM) Chief Financial Officer, Emmanuel Babeau, will address investors today at the 2025 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference in Paris. Article content The event will be webcast live in listen-only mode, beginning at approximately 11:15 a.m. CEST (5:15 a.m. EST), at and on the PMI Investor Relations Mobile Application ( An archived copy of the webcast will be available for approximately one year. Article content PMI reaffirms its 2025 full-year reported diluted EPS forecast, announced on April 23, 2025, of $7.01 to $7.14. Excluding a total 2025 adjustment of $0.35 per share and a favorable currency impact, at then-prevailing exchange rates, of $0.10 per share, this forecast represents a projected currency-neutral increase of 10.5% to 12.5% versus adjusted diluted EPS of $6.57 in 2024, as outlined in the below table. Article content The assumptions underlying this forecast remain unchanged versus those communicated by PMI in its earnings release of April 23, 2025. Article content Philip Morris International: A Global Smoke-Free Champion Article content Philip Morris International is a leading international consumer goods company, actively delivering a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, nicotine pouch and e-vapor products. As of December 31, 2024, PMI's smoke-free products were available for sale in 95 markets, and PMI estimates they were used by 38.6 million adults around the world. The smoke-free business accounted for 42% of PMI's first-quarter 2025 total net revenues. Since 2008, PMI has invested over $14 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies. Following a robust science-based review, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the marketing of Swedish Match's General snus and ZYN nicotine pouches and versions of PMI's IQOS devices and consumables – the first-ever such authorizations in their respective categories. Versions of IQOS devices and consumables and General snus also obtained the first-ever Modified Risk Tobacco Product authorizations from the FDA. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, PMI has a long-term ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and aims to enhance life through the delivery of seamless health experiences. References to 'PMI', 'we', 'our' and 'us' mean Philip Morris International Inc., and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit and Article content This press release contains projections of future results and goals and other forward-looking statements, including statements regarding expected financial or operational performance; capital allocation plans; investment strategies; regulatory outcomes; market expectations; business plans and strategies; and dividends. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. In the event that risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. Pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, PMI is identifying important factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by PMI. Article content PMI's business risks include: excise tax increases and discriminatory tax structures; increasing marketing and regulatory restrictions that could reduce our competitiveness, eliminate our ability to communicate with adult consumers, or ban certain of our products in certain markets or countries; health concerns relating to the use of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; litigation related to tobacco and/or nicotine use and intellectual property; intense competition; the effects of global and individual country economic, regulatory and political developments, natural disasters and conflicts; the impact and consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; changes in adult smoker behavior; the impact of natural disasters and pandemics on PMI's business; lost revenues as a result of counterfeiting, contraband and cross-border purchases; governmental investigations; unfavorable currency exchange rates and currency devaluations, and limitations on the ability to repatriate funds; adverse changes in applicable corporate tax laws; recent and potential future tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries; adverse changes in the cost, availability, and quality of tobacco and other agricultural products and raw materials, as well as components and materials for our electronic devices; and the integrity of its information systems and effectiveness of its data privacy policies. PMI's future profitability may also be adversely affected should it be unsuccessful in its attempts to introduce, commercialize, and grow smoke-free products or if regulation or taxation do not differentiate between such products and cigarettes; if it is unable to successfully introduce new products, promote brand equity, enter new markets or improve its margins through increased prices and productivity gains; if it is unable to expand its brand portfolio internally or through acquisitions and the development of strategic business relationships; if it is unable to attract and retain the best global talent, including women or diverse candidates; or if it is unable to successfully integrate and realize the expected benefits from recent transactions and acquisitions. Future results are also subject to the lower predictability of our smoke-free products performance. Article content PMI is further subject to other risks detailed from time to time in its publicly filed documents, including PMI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. PMI cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not a complete discussion of all potential risks and uncertainties. PMI does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that it may make from time to time, except in the normal course of its public disclosure obligations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Needham Initiates Coverage of Philip Morris (PM) With Buy Rating
On Thursday, Needham initiated coverage of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) with a Buy rating and a price target of $195. The firm commended Philip Morris for its progress in transitioning towards a smoke-free business model and noted its established market leadership in both heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Copyright: jetcityimage / 123RF Stock Photo Needham anticipates that this leadership, combined with ongoing innovation and untapped geographical markets, will drive a sustainable high-single to low-double digit earnings growth for the company. Philip Morris has invested over $14 billion in science-based innovation since 2008 to develop smoke-free alternatives, which, while not risk-free, are considered a much better choice than smoking cigarettes. The company's vision is for these products to eventually replace cigarettes entirely. This pivot is driven by the understanding that millions of adult smokers are seeking less harmful, yet satisfying, alternatives. Currently, Philip Morris International Inc.'s (NYSE:PM) smoke-free products are available in 95 markets globally, and 38.6 million adults have already switched from cigarettes to these alternatives. The company's ambition is to generate more than two-thirds of its net revenue from smoke-free business by 2030, up from 42% as of Q1 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of PM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PM and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None.
