News, Berichte, Diskussionen über Philip Morris - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[ukrupp]

Dieser Thread soll Researchmaterial für die Aktie General Electric bieten. Fangen wir mit einer charttechnischen Betrachtung an:




Bei seiner heutigen Zusammenkunft dürfte das Board of Directors von MO heute eine Dividendenerhöhung bekannt geben. Ich rechne mit einer Dividendenerhöhung von bisher 0,58 $ auf 0,63 $. Mit einer PE auf Basis der Gewinne 03 um die 8 sollte man sich als konservativer Anleger diese Aktie in das Depot legen.

Udo
http://www.cologne.brokers.de

[burakiye]

ich hoffe Du hast nichts getrunken?!

[ukrupp]

burakiye, was ist gegen einen Kauf von Philip Morris anzumerken? Mit Phrasen kann ich nichts anfangen. Argumente, mein Freund.

Grüße
Udo

[suppenkoenig]

Verdacht kann berechtigt sein. - Vielleicht hat er doch schon - aus Vorfreude über Dividendenerhöhung.
Hallo ukrupp, nochmal lesen! Ab erste Zeile.

[ukrupp]

Suppenkönig, du hast recht. Naja, hier gehts um Philip Morris und nicht, wie oben falsch erwähnt, um General Electric.

Grüße
Udo

[ukrupp]

Kräftige Dividendenerhöhung bei Philip Morris. Das Board of Directors hat entschieden, die Dividende von 058 $ auf 0,64 $ anzuheben. Hier die Nachricht:

Philip Morris Companies Inc. Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.64 Per Share
Wednesday August 28, 9:46 am ET

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2002--The Board of Directors of Philip Morris Companies Inc. (NYSE: MO - News) today voted to increase the company`s regular quarterly dividend by 10.3%, to an annualized rate of $2.56 per common share.

The new quarterly dividend of $0.64 per common share, up from $0.58 per common share, is payable on October 10, 2002 to stockholders of record as of September 16, 2002. The ex-dividend date is September 12, 2002.

"Today`s action delivers on our long-term commitment to enhance shareholder value through a balanced program of dividends and share repurchases, " said Louis C. Camilleri, chairman and chief executive officer.

The Philip Morris family of companies, including Kraft Foods Inc. (Kraft), is the world`s largest producer and marketer of consumer packaged goods. Philip Morris Companies Inc. recorded 2001 underlying net revenues of approximately $80 billion and owns 83.9% of the outstanding common shares of Kraft and is the largest shareholder in SABMiller plc, the world`s second-largest brewer, with a 36% economic interest. The Philip Morris family also includes Philip Morris Incorporated (PM USA), Philip Morris International Inc. and Philip Morris Capital Corporation. For more information about the Philip Morris family of companies, including programs and philanthropy, visit the company`s Web site at www.philipmorris.com.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Philip Morris Companies Inc.
Nicholas M. Rolli, 917/663-3460
Timothy R. Kellogg, 917/663-2759

[ukrupp]

Dividend rise at Philip Morris
Thursday August 29, 2:31 am ET

By Neil Buckley in New York

Philip Morris, parent of the world`s largest tobacco company, has fulfilled expectations of a hefty dividend increase after its board agreed on a 10.3 per cent rise.

It also formally named as chairman Louis Camilleri. He succeeds Geoffrey Bible, who retires on Saturday.

Mr Camilleri took over from Mr Bible as chief executive in April, while Mr Bible remained as chairman for a handover period.

The company named Mathis Cabiallavetta as vice-chairman, replacing the retiring William Webb, vice-chairman and chief operating officer.

The appointment completes the changes in the top line-up, after Mr Camilleri was succeeded as chief financial officer in April by Dinyar Devitre, who rejoined Philip Morris from Citigroup in Europe.

The highly cash-generative company increased its quarterly dividend from 58 cents to 64 cents, amounting to an annualised $2.56, against $2.32 previously. That makes it one of the highest-yielding stocks among large-capitalisation US companies. Merrill Lynch said the figure represented a payout ratio of 53 per cent, based on 2002 earnings per share estimate of $4.85.

The group has only once failed to increase its dividend in recent years - in 1997, when it was reserving cash to pay its share of a settlement of a legal case with US states.

The increase came a day after Kraft Foods, the biggest US food group - of which Philip Morris owns 84 per cent - increased its dividend 15 per cent to 15 cents.

Philip Morris is also due to spend about $6bn buying back its shares this year and $5bn next year.

The company on Tuesday reshuffled top positions at its tobacco arm, Philip Morris USA, after poor July sales.

Michael Szymanczyk reassumed the title of chief executive, alongside the chairman`s title he gained six months ago.

Jack Nelson was shifted from president and chief executive to the new post of president, operations and technology. See Lex

[ukrupp]

28.08.2002
Philip Morris bei 47 USD einsammeln
Der Aktionär

Die Analysten vom Anlegermagazin "Der Aktionär" sind der Meinung, dass man bei Kursen um knapp 47 USD Aktien von Philip Morris (WKN 851777) einsammeln könnte.

Einsetzende Gewinnmitnahmen hätten die Aktie wider in den Bereich von 48 USD zurückgebracht. Die Analysten von "Der Aktionär" sind der Meinung, dass man bei Kursen von knapp 47 USD wieder an das Einsammeln von Philip Morris-Aktien denken sollte. Das Kursziel sehe man bei 60 Euro und den Stopp empfehle man bei 42 Euro.

[ukrupp]

Philip Morris "buy"
Prudential Securities

Der Wertpapieranalyst Robert T. Campagnino von dem Investmenthaus Prudential Securities vergibt für die Aktie des Tabakkonzerns Philip Morris (WKN 851777) eine Empfehlung mit dem Prädikat "buy".

Die Analysten würden glauben, dass die schwachen Trends bei den Marktanteilen der Einzelhandelsabsätzen für Philip Morris im Monat Juli eine Konsequenz der schwierigen Jahresvergleiche aufgrund von Veränderungen bei den Werbe-Ausgaben seien. Es sei wichtig festzuhalten, dass diese Trends bei den Marktanteilen der Einzelhandelsabsätze in keiner Weise irgendwelche angehobenen Marketing-Ausgaben durch das Unternehmen reflektieren würden. Lediglich eine kleine Portion der schrittweise erfolgenden Ausgaben, welche bei dem Konferenzgespräch über da 2. Quartal bekannt gegeben worden seien, werde sich im Monat August ihren Weg in den Markt bahnen.

Für das Jahr 2002 würden die Analysten ein EPS von insgesamt 4,87 USD erwarten, was bedeute, dass im 3. und im 4. Quartal jeweils ein EPS von 1,30 USD beziehungsweise 1,23 USD geschätzt würde. Im Jahr 2003 solle das EPS nach der Meinung der Analysten insgesamt 5,54 USD betragen.

Vor diesem Hintergrund sieht der Aktienspezialist Robert T. Campagnino von dem Investmenthaus Prudential Securities für die Aktie von Philip Morris ein Kursziel bei 64 USD und vergibt das Rating "buy".

[ukrupp]

Philip Morris "buy"
Salomon Smith Barney

Rating-Update:

Die Analysten vom Investmenthaus Salomon Smith Barney stufen die Aktie von Philip Morris (WKN 851777) unverändert mit "buy" ein. Das Kursziel sehe man bei 67 US-Dollar.

[ukrupp]

Analyst: LB Baden-Württemberg
WKN: 851777

Die Analysten der Landesbank Baden-Württemberg bewerten die Aktie des Tabakkonzerns Phillip Morris mit „Outperformer“.
Der weltweit größte Tabakkonzern sei mittlerweile auch sehr stark im Nahrungsmittelgeschäft engagiert. Das Unternehmen habe sich in den letzten 10 Jahren konstant gut entwickelt und auch die Halbjahreszahlen seien positiv. Gerade der Nahrungsmittelsektor führe zu einer größeren Risikodiversifikation. Allerdings stellen Prozesskostenrisiken und zunehmende staatliche Regulierungen die Branche im Allgemeine vor eine große Herausforderung.

[ukrupp]

Philip Morris U.S.A. Executive Addresses Prudential Back-To-School Conference
Wednesday September 4, 9:46 am ET
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002--Philip Morris U.S.A. chairman and chief executive officer Michael E. Szymanczyk today reviewed first-half 2002 domestic tobacco industry dynamics and Philip Morris U.S.A.`s business performance, as well as marketplace strategies Philip Morris U.S.A. is pursuing in the face of increasing competition, in a presentation at the Prudential Back-to-School Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Philip Morris U.S.A. is the domestic tobacco operating company subsidiary of Philip Morris Companies Inc. (NYSE: MO - News).

"Recently, the competitive environment has become even more challenging, characterized by weak economic conditions, erosion of consumer confidence, a continued influx of cheap products and higher prices due to higher state excise taxes and list price increases," Mr. Szymanczyk said. "As a result, the deep discount products of manufacturers of numerous small share brands have grown market share, putting pressure on the industry`s premium segment."

"In the first quarter 2002, PM USA`s retail share declined one tenth of a share point to 50.7%. In the second quarter, PM USA`s retail share declined seven tenths of a share point to 50.2%, due primarily to a nine tenths decline in our non-supported brands including Benson & Hedges, Merit and Cambridge," Mr. Szymanczyk said.

"Philip Morris U.S.A.`s four focus brands, Marlboro, Parliament, Virginia Slims and Basic, grew eight tenths at retail in the first quarter of 2002 and two tenths in the second quarter," Mr. Szymanczyk said. "For the first half of 2002, our four focus brands grew five tenths of a share point to 47.4%."

"Overall, Philip Morris U.S.A.`s retail share of the premium segment grew in each period, up seven tenths of a share point to 62.2% in the first half of the year," Mr. Szymanczyk said. "Our share of the premium category is now more than three times larger than that of our nearest competitor and our product mix is almost 90% premium."

Mr. Szymanczyk described the company`s near- and longer-term programs stating, "We have embarked on an immediate near-term strategy that centers on increasing our promotional spending in the second half of the year and expanding our promotional presence at retail for our four focus brands. While both of these initiatives have begun in the third quarter of this year, most of the impact will be seen in the fourth quarter."

Mr. Szymanczyk also described the company`s new product plans. "Although we can`t disclose details for competitive reasons, we are working toward putting a conventional cigarette line extension and a first-generation reduced risk product into the marketplace in 2003," he said. "We are working hard to ensure our success through innovative brand-building programs, superior products and technology, a strong position in sales and marketing and superior talent."

Philip Morris Companies Inc. Profile

The Philip Morris family of companies, including Kraft Foods Inc. (Kraft), is the world`s largest producer and marketer of consumer packaged goods. Philip Morris Companies Inc. recorded 2001 underlying net revenues of approximately $80 billion and owns 83.9% of the outstanding common shares of Kraft and is the largest shareholder in SABMiller plc, the world`s second-largest brewer, with a 36% economic interest. The Philip Morris family also includes Philip Morris Incorporated (PM USA), Philip Morris International Inc. and Philip Morris Capital Corporation. For more information about the Philip Morris family of companies, including programs and philanthropy, visit the company`s Web site at www.philipmorris.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements.

The Company`s consumer products subsidiaries are subject to unfavorable currency movements; intense price competition, changes in consumer preferences and demand for their products; changing prices for raw materials and the effects of foreign economies and local economic and market conditions. Their results are dependent upon their continued ability to promote brand equity successfully; to anticipate and respond to new consumer trends; to develop new products and markets and to broaden brand portfolios in order to compete effectively with lower-priced products in a consolidating environment at the retail and manufacturing levels; and to improve productivity.

The Company`s tobacco subsidiaries continue to be subject to health concerns relating to the use of their products, including increasing marketing, regulatory and smoking restrictions; the effects consumption rates of price increases related to excise tax increases and concluded tobacco litigation settlements; governmental investigations; and litigation, including risks associated with adverse jury and judicial determinations, courts reaching conclusions at variance with the Company`s understanding of applicable law, bonding requirements and the absence of appellate remedies to get timely relief from any of the foregoing.

The Company`s consumer products subsidiaries are subject to other risks detailed from time to time in the Company`s publicly filed documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that it may make.

Note to Editors

Mr. Szymanczyk`s remarks will be webcast live beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on September 4, 2002, at www.philipmorris.com. The text of Mr. Szymanczyk`s remarks also will be posted under the Investor Relations link on the company`s Web site later the same day. An archived copy of the webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. September 11, 2001.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Philip Morris Companies Inc.
Nicholas M. Rolli, 917/663-3460

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Philip Morris Companies Inc.

[ukrupp]

Philip Morris may launch reduced risk product in 2003
Wednesday September 4, 10:37 am ET

NEW YORK, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Philip Morris U.S.A., the top U.S. cigarette maker, may introduce a reduced risk product next year and is facing increased pressure from deep discount cigarettes, its top executive said on Wednesday.

"Recently, the competitive environment has become even more challenging, characterized by weak economic conditions, erosion of consumer confidence, a continued influx of cheap products and higher prices due to higher state excise taxes and list price increases," Philip Morris U.S.A. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Szymanczyk said in a statement.

"As a result, the deep discount products of manufacturers of numerous small share brands have grown market share, putting pressure on the industry`s premium segment."

Shares of New York-based Philip Morris Cos. Inc. (NYSE:MO - News), the parent company of Philip Morris U.S.A. and a component of the Dow Jones industrial average (CBOT:^DJI - News), fell 4 percent to $47.49 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

U.S. cigarette shipments and revenue fell during the second quarter for Philip Morris, the maker of Marlboro and other cigarettes. In July, Philip Morris announced plans to invest about $350 million in its premium cigarette brands and retail presence in an effort to beef up volume and market share.

Philip Morris U.S.A. is focused on increasing promotional spending in the second half of the year and expanding retail promotion for its four focus brands - Marlboro, Parliament, Virginia Slims and Basic - Szymanczyk said. He said most of the impact of these new initiatives will be seen in the fourth quarter.

Philip Morris and other cigarette manufacturers have been faced with pressure from health groups on the dangers of smoking. It is one of many companies working on reduced-risk cigarettes.

"We are working toward putting a conventional cigarette line extension and a first-generation reduced risk product into the marketplace in 2003," Szymanczyk said in the statement.

Vector Group Ltd`s (NYSE:VGR - News) Omni, touted as a reduced-carcinogen cigarette, has been on the market since November 2001.

Szymanczyk did not disclose details of the products in the statement, which was released shortly after his presentation at a Prudential Securities conference in Boston.

[ukrupp]

Philip Morris Says Verdict Demonstrates Jury Understood Risks From ETS Exposure 5 Sep 2002, 5:14pm ET


MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2002--Philip Morris U.S.A. said today`s verdict for the company and other cigarette makers was the right decision based upon the claims made by the plaintiff."The jury decided this case on the facts, and the facts did notentitle the plaintiff to recover damages because she may have been exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)," said William S.Ohlemeyer, Philip Morris Companies vice president and associate general counsel.
"The vast majority of the flight attendant cases are based on a single claim that no plaintiff has yet produced credible evidence to support. According to the world`s leading experts on sinus infections,there is no link between exposure to ETS and chronic sinusitis."
The six-person Dade County jury deliberated approximately nine hours before concluding that the plaintiff, Suzette A. Janoff, was not entitled to recover money damages, rejecting her claims that exposure
to ETS in airplane cabins caused her chronic sinusitis and related illnesses.
Today`s verdict came in the fourth flight attendant case to come to trial, and was the second verdict in favor of Philip Morris and other companies. One case ended in a mistrial and the fourth case, the French case, resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff - Philip Morris U.S.A and the other companies have asked the trial court set aside
that verdict.
Ms. Janoff, 45, is a former flight attendant who worked for American Airlines between November 1983 and February 1996. Ms. Janoff now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Ms. Janoff had sought damages for past and future pain and suffering; disability; disfigurement; mental anguish; medical care and treatment; inconvenience or loss of capacity for enjoyment of life.
Philip Morris U.S.A. has said it intends to vigorously defend similar flight attendant claims. The flight attendants are seeking only compensatory awards; a previous agreement prevents them from pursuing punitive damages.


CONTACT: David Tovar, 917/663-2144

KEYWORD: FLORIDA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FOREST PRODUCTS LEGAL/LAW RETAIL
SOURCE: Philip Morris U.S.A.

Today`s News On The Net - Business Wire`s full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: http://www.businesswire.com

Copyright 2002, Business Wire

[ukrupp]

Tobacco cos cleared in Miami secondhand smoke suit
5 Sep 2002, 5:54pm ET


MIAMI, Sept 5 (Reuters) - A Miami jury cleared cigarett makers of liability on Thursday in a lawsuit filed by a former flight attendant who sought $500,000 in damages for illness she blamed on second-hand smoke in airplanes.

Former American Airlines flight attendant Suzette Ahrendt Janoff, who suffers from sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma and lung problems, sued Philip Morris Cos Inc.(NYSE:MO), R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard Tobacco and Brown & Williamson Tobacco.

Janoff, 45, worked as a flight attendant from 1983 to 1996. Smoking was allowed on the domestic and international flights on which she worked and she was exposed to more than 6,500 hours of secondhand smoke on the job, her attorney told jurors.
A doctor testifying for the cigarette makers said he did
not believe smoke caused Janoff`s illness and their lawyers
blamed allergies and a sinus operation that they said went
awry.After more than eight hours of deliberation over two days,the six-member Miami-Dade County jury found the tobacco
companies were not liable.

"We are pleased with the jury`s verdict in this case,"
Lorillard Vice President Ronald Milstein said in a written
statement. "The evidence showed that the plaintiff suffered
from preexisting conditions that can cause sinusitis. The jury considered these facts and made the appropriate decision."
"I am extremely, extremely surprised," Janoff`s attorney, Stewart Williams, said of the verdict. "I think the evidence was overwhelming that she had a lot of exposure."
The case stems from a 1998 settlement in a class action
lawsuit filed by some 3,000 flight attendants who blamed the
tobacco industry for illnesses caused by second-hand smoke in airplanes.

The settlement in the case, Norma Broin versus Philip
Morris et al, allows nonsmoking flight attendants to sue
individually to recover compensatory damages but does not allow for punitive damages. It also required the tobacco companies to pay $300 million into a research foundation investigating the health effects of second-hand smoke.

Janoff`s lawsuit is the fourth such individual case brought to trial.

The cigarette makers won the first case in 2001, when a
jury rejected compensatory damages for flight attendant Marie Fontana, who said she developed chronic obstructive lung disease from secondhand smoke.

In the second, the jury ordered the tobacco companies to
pay $5.5 million in compensatory damages to flight attendant
Lynn French, who blamed her chronic sinusitis on 14 years of
working in smoke-filled planes. French was the first plaintiff ever to win a secondhand smoke case, and the tobacco companies have appealed the verdict.

The third ended in a mistrial.

"Today`s verdict should put plaintiffs` attorneys on notice that these types of contrived lawsuits will not pass muster with the public," Reynolds Tobacco`s lead attorney, Neil Kodsi, said.

But Williams, whose law firm is preparing about 400 tobacco cases to be put before juries, said nothing should be read into the Janoff verdict.

"This is just one case. Every case has to be judged
individually," he said. "There are a lot of the cases that
don`t have any factors that would lend themselves to
defenses."
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co is a wholly owned subsidiary of
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.(NYSE:RJR); Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. is a unit of British American Tobacco Plc (ISEL:BATS)
(AMEX:BTI); and Lorillard Tobacco Co. is a unit of Loews Corp.

(NYSE:LTR).

[ukrupp]

Prudential senkt Gewinnprognosen für Philip Morris



Die Analysten bei Prudential Securities haben sich am heutigen Montag negativ zu dem Tabak- und Nahrungsmittelhersteller Philip Morris geäußert.
Die Experten haben demzufolge ihre Gewinnschätzungen für das dritte Quartal und für das gesamte Fiskaljahr nach unten revidiert. Im dritten Quartal rechnet man nun mit eine Gewinn von 1,25 statt 1,30 Dollar je Aktie, im Gesamtjahr von 4,82 statt 4,87 Dollar je Aktie. Analysten rechnen derzeit mit 1,27 respektive 4,83 Dollar je Aktie.

[ukrupp]

US judge certifies nationwide tobacco class action
Friday September 20, 12:14 pm ET


NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Judge Jack Weinstein, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, on Thursday certified a nationwide, punitive damage class action against the tobacco industry.

The class includes anyone living in the United States who smokes or smoked the defendant companies` cigarettes and who has been diagnosed with a diseases such as lung cancer, tongue cancer or emphysema from April 9, 1993 until the date when the class is to be notified of the certification, Weinstein wrote.

Companies listed as defendants in the suit include Philip Morris Cos. Inc.(NYSE:MO - News); R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.(NYSE:RJR - News); Brown & Williamson, a unit of London-based British American Tobacco Plc(London:BATS.L - News; AMEX:BTI - News); and Lorillard Tobacco, a unit of Loews Corp.(NYSE:LTR - News) traded as the Carolina Group Inc.(NYSE:CG - News) tracking stock.

Shares of tobacco companies were largely trading lower on Friday, with Carolina Group showing the largest percentage decline, down more than 6 percent.

The class excludes certain people, such as those who have obtained settlements or judgments against any of the defendant companies.

The industry has ten days to petition the second circuit court of appeals to hear this case and it may take the second circuit "weeks if not months" to decide if it will take the appeal, Salomon Smith Barney analyst Bonnie Herzog said on Friday.

Prudential Securities analyst Rob Campagnino said on Friday it is unlikely the Second Circuit Court of Appeals will support certification of the class.

Philip Morris U.S.A., the domestic tobacco unit of Philip Morris Cos. and the largest U.S. tobacco company, said it will ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to reject the class-certification order.

"Federal courts across the country have overwhelmingly rejected class actions in tobacco cases, and we believe this case will be treated no differently by the Court of Appeals because it simply has no legal basis and is contrary to U.S. Supreme Court precedent," said William Ohlemeyer, associate general counsel for Philip Morris Cos.

Weinstein set Jan. 20, 2003 as the trial date.

[ukrupp]

VectorVest Stock Analysis of Philip Morris

Thank you for requesting an analysis of Philip Morris from VectorVest. The ticker symbol for Philip Morris is MO. MO is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and options are available on this stock.

PRICE: MO closed on 09/19/2002 at $44.70 per share.

VALUE: MO has a Value of $81.08 per share. Value is the foundation of the VectorVest system. It is a measure of what a stock is currently worth. Value is based upon earnings, earnings growth rate, dividend payments, dividend growth rate, and financial performance. Current interest and inflation rates also play an important role in the computation of Value. When interest and/or inflation rates decrease, Value goes up. When interest rates and inflation increase, Value goes down. Sooner or later a stock`s Price and Value always converge.

RV (Relative Value): MO has an RV of 1.55. On a scale of 0.00 to 2.00, an RV of 1.55 is excellent. RV reflects the long-term price appreciation potential of the stock compared to an alternative investment in AAA Corporate Bonds. Stocks with RV ratings above 1.00 have attractive upside potential. A stock will have an RV greater than 1.00 when its Value is greater than Price, and its Relative Safety (see below) and forecasted earnings growth rate are above average. In some cases, however, a stock`s RV will be above 1.00 even though its Value is well below Price. This happens when a stock has an exemplary record of financial performance and an above average earnings growth rate. In this case, the stock is currently selling at a premium, and the investor is banking on future earnings growth to drive the stock`s price higher. This information is very useful not only in knowing whether or not a stock has favorable price appreciation potential, but it also solves the riddle of whether to buy high growth, high P/E, or low growth, low P/E stocks. We believe that RV ratings above 1.00 are required to consistently achieve above average capital gains in the stock market.

RS (Relative Safety): MO has an RS rating of 1.34. On a scale of 0.00 to 2.00, an RS of 1.34 is excellent. VectorVest looks at safety from the viewpoint of an equity investor (one who is buying stock of a company) rather than that of a purchaser of debt (one who is lending money to the company). From this perspective, consistency of financial and operating performance, stock price appreciation history, and price volatility are the key factors used in the evaluation of Relative Safety (RS). Debt to equity ratio, capitalization, sales volume, business longevity and other factors are also considered, but to a lesser degree.
VectorVest favors steady, predictable performers. All stocks are rated on a scale of 0.00 to 2.00. A stock with an RS greater than 1.00 is safer and more predictable than the average of all stocks. A stock with an RS less than 1.00 is less predictable and riskier than the average stock.


RT (Relative Timing): MO has an RT rating of 0.97. On a scale of 0.00 to 2.00, an RT of 0.97 is fair. RT is a fast, responsive, short-term price trend indicator. It analyzes the direction, magnitude, and dynamics of a stock`s price behavior over the last 13 weeks; then reflects and projects the short-term price performance of the stock. Once a stock`s Price has established a strong trend, it is expected to continue that trend for the short-term. If the trend dissipates, RT will gravitate towards 1.00. Should the price change dramatically, RT will notice the crucial turning point. When warranted, it will explode from a Price low and dive from a Price high.
All stocks are rated on a scale of 0.00 to 2.00. If RT is above 1.00,the stock`s Price is in an uptrend. Below 1.00, the stock`s Price is in a downtrend.


VST-Vector (VST): MO has a VST-Vector rating of 1.28. On a scale of 0.00 to 2.00, an VST of 1.28 is very good. VST-Vector solves the dilemma of balancing Value, Safety and Timing. Stocks with high RV values often have low RS values, or stocks with low RV and RS values have high RT`s. How can we find the stocks with the best combinations of Value, Safety, and Timing?
The classic vector formula (square root of the sum of the squares) handles this problem. It combines a set of forces into a single indicator for ranking every stock in the VectorVest database. Stocks with the highest VST-Vector have the best combinations of Value, Safety and Timing. These are the ones to own for above average capital application.


GRT (Growth Rate): MO has a GRT of 15 % per year. This is very good. GRT stands for forecasted Earnings Growth Rate in percent per year. GRT is updated each week for every stock. Watch GRT trends very carefully. If the GRT trend is up, the stock`s Price will likely rise. If the GRT trend is down, the stock`s Price will increase more slowly, cease to increase, or subsequently fall.

Recommendation (REC): MO has a Hold recommendation. REC reflects the cumulative effect of all the VectorVest parameters working together. These parameters are designed to help investors buy safe, undervalued stocks which are rising in price, and to avoid or sell risky, overvalued stocks which are falling in price.
VectorVest is tuned to give an "H" or "B" signal when a stock`s price is approximately 10% above a recent low, and an "S" signal when the stock`s price is approximately 10% below a recent high. High RV, RS stocks are favored toward receiving "B" REC`s, and sheltered from receiving "S" RECs.


STOP-PRICE: MO has a Stop-Price of 43.64 per share. This is 1.06 or 2.4 % below its current closing Price. VectorVest analyzes over 7,400 stocks each day for Value, Safety and Timing, and calculates a Stop-Price for each stock. These Stop-Prices are based upon 13 week moving averages of closing prices, and are fine-tuned according to each stock`s fundamentals.
In the VectorVest system, a stock gets a "B" or an "H" recommendation if its price is above its Stop-Price, and an "S" recommendation if its price is below its Stop-Price.


DIV (Dividend): MO pays an annual dividend of 2.56 per share. VectorVest focuses on annual, regular, cash dividends indicated by the most recent disbursement. Special distributions, one-time payments, stock dividends, etc., generally are not included in Dividend (DIV).

DY (Dividend Yield): MO has a DY of 5.7 percent. This is above the current market average of 1.1 %. DY equals 100 x (DIV/PRICE), and is expressed as a percentage.

EY (Earnings Yield): MO has an EY of 11.62%. This is above the current market average of 3.83%. EY equals 100 x (EARNINGS PER SHARE/PRICE), and is expressed as a percentage.

EPS (Earnings Per Share): MO has an EPS of $5.19 per share. EPS stands for leading 12 months Earnings Per Share. VectorVest determines this forecast from a combination of recent earnings performance and traditional fiscal and/or calendar year earnings forecasts.

P/E (Price to Earnings Ratio): MO has a P/E ratio of 8.61. This ratio is computed daily based upon Price and EPS. P/E = Price/EPS.

GPE (Growth to P/E Ratio): MO has a GPE of 1.74. This ratio suggests that MO is undervalued. Growth to P/E ratio is a popular measure of stock valuation which compares Earnings Growth Rate (GRT) to Price Earnings ratio (P/E). A stock is considered to be undervalued when GPE is greater than 1.00, and vice-versa. VectorVest believes that RV is a much better indicator of long-term value. The RV of 1.55 for MO is excellent.

DS (Dividend Safety): MO has a DS of 78. On a scale of 0 to 99, a DS of 78 is excellent. DS is defined as the assurance that regular cash dividends will be declared and paid at current or at higher rates for the foreseeable future. Stocks with DS values above 50 on a scale of 0 to 99 are above average in safety.

RISK (Dividend Risk): MO has a Dividend Risk of Low. All stocks in the VectorVest system that pay dividends are classified as having Low, Medium or High Dividend Risk (RISK). Stocks with DS values above 50 are above average in safety. These stocks are classified as having LOW or MEDIUM RISK. Stocks with DS values below 50 are below average in safety and are classified as having HIGH Risk.

DG (Dividend Growth): MO has a DG of 9 percent per year. Dividend Growth is a subtle yet important indicator of a company`s historical financial performance and the board`s current outlook on the future use of funds.

YSG-VECTOR (Yield-Safety-Growth Vector): MO has a YSG-Vector of 1.39. On a scale of 0.00 to 2.00, a YSG-Vector rating of 1.39 is excellent. VectorVest combines Dividend YIELD, SAFETY and GROWTH into a single parameter. YSG-Vector allows direct comparison of all dividend paying stocks. Stocks with the highest YSG-Vector values have the best combinations of Dividend Yield, Safety and Growth. These are the stocks to buy for above average current income and long-term growth.

VOL(100)s: MO traded 10562300 shares on 09/19/2002.

AVG VOL(100)s: MO has an Average Volume of 8387300. Average Volume is 50 day moving average of daily volume as computed by VectorVest.


% VOL: MO had a Volume change of 25.9% from its 50 day moving average volume.

OPEN: MO opened trading at $46.15 per share on 09/19/2002.

HIGH: MO traded at a high of $46.35 per share on 09/19/2002.

LOW: MO traded at a low of $44.70 per share on 09/19/2002.

CLOSE: MO Closed trading at $44.70 per share on 09/19/2002.

% PRC: MO showed a Price change of -5% from the prior day`s closing price.

INDUSTRY: MO has been assigned to the Personal (Tobacco) Group. VectorVest classifies stocks into over 190 Industry Groups and 50 Business Sectors.

MO has well above average safety with well above average upside potential. It reflects a stock which is likely to give well above average, quite consistent returns over the long term.