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Category: Business & Finance

  • PMI Q1 Results Driven by Smoke-Free Growth

    PMI Q1 Results Driven by Smoke-Free Growth

    Philip Morris International reported first-quarter 2026 net revenues of $10.1 billion, up 9.1%, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 16% to $1.96 despite a decline in reported EPS due to a non-cash adjustment. Growth was driven primarily by the company’s smoke-free portfolio, which now accounts for 43% of total revenue and is available in more than 100 markets.

    The smoke-free segment delivered strong performance, with revenue increasing 24.7% and shipment volumes up 11.9%. IQOS remained the key growth driver, with double-digit gains and expanding market share, including becoming the top nicotine brand in markets where it is present. E-vapor products also showed rapid growth, while nicotine pouch volumes expanded in several markets despite declines in Nordic snus.

    Combustible cigarette volumes declined 5.1% in the quarter, although pricing supported modest revenue growth in the segment. Looking ahead, PMI expects continued momentum in smoke-free products, forecasting adjusted EPS growth of 10.9% to 12.9% for 2026 and organic revenue growth of 5% to 7%, supported by ongoing investment in its reduced-risk portfolio.

  • PMI Partners IQOS with Devialet at Milan Design Week

    PMI Partners IQOS with Devialet at Milan Design Week

    Philip Morris International announced a collaboration between its IQOS heated tobacco brand and French audio company Devialet, featuring an exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026. The installation runs from April 20–27 and includes a co-branded limited-edition product pairing an IQOS device with Devialet earbuds.

    “The sound waves carry a signature rhythm – a pattern as unique as a fingerprint,” said Oggie Kapetanovic, president of the Heat Not Burn division at PMI. “Devialet’s sound waves turn emotion into shared experience; IQOS empowers self‑expression while connecting a community of over 35 million users.”

  • KT&G to Cancel $1.3B Treasury Shares

    KT&G to Cancel $1.3B Treasury Shares

    KT&G announced it will cancel all 10.9 million treasury shares it holds, valued at approximately 1.85 trillion won ($1.3 billion), with the burn scheduled for April 23. The decision, approved by the board, follows recent changes to Korea’s commercial law and is aimed at enhancing shareholder value.

    The move aligns with the company’s broader capital return strategy, which also includes raising its annual dividend to 6,000 won ($4.08) per share.

  • NACS Urges Action Against Illicit Chinese Vapes

    NACS Urges Action Against Illicit Chinese Vapes

    The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) called on U.S. trade officials to address the surge of illicit e-cigarettes entering the country from China, warning that unauthorized products now account for an estimated 80% of the ENDS market. In a submission to the U.S. Trade Representative, NACS said these imports, which often lack FDA authorization, pose health risks, particularly to youth, while undermining compliant retailers and legitimate supply chains.

    NACS is urging a coordinated government response, including enforceable commitments from China to restrict exports that violate U.S. regulations, improve product classification and oversight, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. The group said curbing illicit flows is critical to protecting public health, ensuring fair competition, and safeguarding the economic viability of regulated businesses.

  • Altria to Host Q1 Webcast April 30

    Altria to Host Q1 Webcast April 30

    Altria Group, Inc. announced it will host a live audio webcast on April 30 at 9 a.m. EST to discuss its 2026 first-quarter business results, and plans to issue a press release containing its business results two hours earlier. The webcast can be accessed at altria.com.

    During the webcast, Billy Gifford, Altria’s Chief Executive Officer, and Sal Mancuso, Altria’s Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company’s 2026 first-quarter business results and answer questions from the investment community and news media.

    The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. Pre-event registration is necessary; directions are posted at www.altria.com/webcasts. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on altria.com.

  • Organigram Completes Sanity Acquisition with BAT Backing

    Organigram Completes Sanity Acquisition with BAT Backing

    Organigram Global and Sanity Group jointly announced the official closing of Organigram’s acquisition of the Germany-based cannabis company that was originally announced in February. Combining cash and shares as part of its international expansion strategy, the deal is valued at €107.3 million. The transaction was supported by €40.3 million in new financing from British American Tobacco and additional credit facilities, highlighting BAT’s continued backing of Organigram’s growth initiatives. The deal marks the final deployment of funds from the Jupiter strategic investment pool and strengthens Organigram’s position in the European cannabis market.

  • Altria Raises Cigarette Prices Across Most Brands

    Altria Raises Cigarette Prices Across Most Brands

    Altria increased prices across its portfolio earlier this week, including a roughly 20- to 25-cent per pack hike on Marlboro, 25 cents on Benson & Hedges, Merit, Parliament, and Virginia Slims, and a 20-cent increase on L&M cigarettes, according to a notice from Goldman Sachs. The company held pricing flat on its value-focused Basic brand. The price changes were the second increase this year, according to CSP.

    Goldman Sachs Managing Director Bonnie Herzog said the increases were unsurprising and followed Altria’s “typical quarterly cadence,” but that the increases were sharper than predicted. “We believe Altria’s sophisticated and targeted pricing strategies, as well as promotional spending, should help to offset the frequency of list price increases, especially for price-sensitive consumers,” Herzog said.

    Herzog also said she expected British American Tobacco to follow soon with a similar price increase on cigarettes, and that she would be watching to see whether deep-discount cigarette manufacturers also move on price. “If they don’t, the relative price gap could widen further,” Herzog was quoted by CSP, increasing the risk of downtrading, but Herzog said brands like Marlboro, with a loyal customer base, would likely be able to keep consumers within the franchise.

  • Scandinavian Approves Dividend, Board Changes at AGM

    Scandinavian Approves Dividend, Board Changes at AGM

    Scandinavian Tobacco Group shareholders approved the company’s 2025 annual report and a dividend of DKK 4.50 ($0.72) per share at its annual general meeting, while backing the remuneration report and board compensation for 2026. The AGM also saw the re-election of most board members, and the appointment of Lars Dahlgren, with Henrik Brandt confirmed as chairman. PricewaterhouseCoopers was reappointed as auditor, as the company maintains continuity of governance while returning value to shareholders.

  • Nicokick, Zone Expand NASCAR Partnership with Product Launch

    Nicokick, Zone Expand NASCAR Partnership with Product Launch

    Nicokick.com and zone nicotine pouches are expanding their motorsports partnership for the 2026 NASCAR Kansas race, using the platform to drive consumer engagement and product visibility. The campaign includes the exclusive launch of a new zone Cranberry pouch and a limited-edition flavor mix tied to driver Kyle Busch, alongside co-branded car livery and promotional activity. The collaboration highlights the growing role of e-commerce in the nicotine pouch category, with Nicokick positioning itself as a regulated, age-verified channel to reach adult consumers.

  • Russian Retailers Pull Vapes Ahead of Potential Ban

    Russian Retailers Pull Vapes Ahead of Potential Ban

    In Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, around 550 retailers voluntarily removed vapes and e-liquids from sale amid a broader crackdown on the category and expectations of a future nationwide ban. Regional authorities said the initiative follows a 2025 self-regulation program that encouraged businesses to exit the vape market, citing concerns over counterfeit products and weak regulatory oversight. Enforcement actions have also intensified, including store closures for violations, as officials signal a shift toward stricter controls and possible federal prohibition of vape sales in the near term.