Altria raises 2026 guidance as Altria Group stock gains 2.92 percent

Published on 10/29/2026 at 17:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Third-quarter adjusted earnings per share rose 4.80 percent to USD 1.52, while revenue reached USD 6.13 billion. A USD 1 billion buyback expansion adds context for Altria Group stock.

What changed after the results

Net revenue for the first nine months of 2026 rose 1.40 percent to USD 17.67 billion.
Domestic cigarette shipment volume fell 2.90 percent in the third quarter, while total cigarette retail share increased to 45.70 percent.
Oral tobacco shipment volume declined 4.30 percent, with the on! brand rising 13.30 percent.

Altria Group Inc., US02209S1033, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Altria Group Inc. (ISIN US02209S1033) raised its 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance and expanded its share repurchase program as Altria Group stock gained 2.92 percent against the Xetra close. The company reported third-quarter results on October 29, 2026, according to Business Wire.

Guidance moves higher

Altria now expects full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of USD 5.66 to USD 5.74, compared with a 2025 adjusted base of USD 5.42. The new range implies growth of 4.50 percent to 6.00 percent and replaces the earlier range of USD 5.61 to USD 5.72.

Third-quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 4.80 percent to USD 1.52. Reported diluted earnings per share rose 7.10 percent to USD 1.51, while net revenue increased 1.00 percent to USD 6,132 million.

Cash returns expand

The board authorized a USD 1 billion expansion of Altria's existing share repurchase program. The company also said its highly cash-generative businesses supported dividends and repurchases while it continued investing in smoke-free products.

The results show a mixed operating picture. Smokeable-products revenue increased 0.80 percent to USD 5,432 million, but domestic cigarette shipment volume declined 2.90 percent to 15,725 million sticks. Total cigarette retail share nonetheless rose to 45.70 percent from 45.40 percent in the third quarter of 2025.

What changes for the business?

Oral tobacco revenue was nearly unchanged at USD 688 million, while shipment volume decreased 4.30 percent to 170.60 million cans. The on! brand was a counterpoint, with quarterly shipment volume rising 13.30 percent to 47.80 million cans.

Trading level after results

The combination of higher guidance and a larger buyback gives the market a fresh earnings and capital-return signal, while falling cigarette volumes remain a measurable operating constraint. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Altria Group stock.

Altria was trading at EUR 67.93 at Lang & Schwarz on October 29, 2026 at 3:41 p.m. CET, up 2.92 percent versus the Xetra close of October 28, 2026 at EUR 66.00.