| Written by Chris Markoch 
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) stock is off to a strong start in 2026, up more than 7.3%. However, MO stock was down nearly 3% in midday trading on Jan. 29, as the company’s earnings were flat year-over-year (YOY). The setup heading into earnings was whether the company could shift investor sentiment about MO stock from a defensive income play to a revival story that could entice growth investors. At roughly 11x forward earnings and backed by one of the most dependable dividends in the market, Altria looks undervalued relative to its stability and cash generation. If EPS growth trends hold above 3% annually, investors could see a total return exceeding 10–12% through a combination of price recovery and the company’s robust dividend. With yields on bonds and money markets expected to taper alongside easing inflation, equity income names like Altria should see renewed inflows. The stock’s technical reversal, improving growth narrative, and disciplined capital policy suggest investors might finally get what they’ve been waiting for: capital appreciation alongside a market-crushing yield. For long-term investors, that means Altria’s story is evolving. Once prized only for its dividend, the stock is regaining foundational strength backed by steady innovation and fresh bullish momentum. For patient shareholders, this Dividend King may once again prove that income and growth don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Strong Fundamentals Support a Valuation Reset In Altria’s Q4 2025 earnings report, management successfully navigated a challenging year marked by persistent inflation and evolving tobacco regulations. The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EPS growth guidance in the 2–4% range. That would be steady progress for a mature consumer staples name. That consistency cements Altria’s reputation for reliability in volatile markets, particularly as investors refocus on income-generating equities in a lower-rate environment. Revenue stability was once again anchored by smokeable products, which continue to be the profit engine as cigarette volumes decline. Price increases, disciplined cost control, and share buybacks compensate for volume pressures. Altria’s pricing power remains unmatched. Net revenue in the quarter of roughly $5 billion demonstrated resilience and supported gross margins near 70%. Meanwhile, operating income growth and a capital-efficient structure allowed the company to generate strong cash flows to fund dividends and debt reduction. Dividend Power and Capital Discipline Continue to Attract Income Investors Altria’s dividend growth and capital return policies headline the investment story. Management raised the annual dividend for the 59th consecutive year in 2025, marking nearly six decades of uninterrupted growth. The current yield, which is at 6.98% as of this writing, remains among the most generous of any Dividend King and among consumer staples stocks. The dividend is well supported by cash flow. Altria generated over $8 billion in operating cash flow during 2025 and maintained a payout ratio around 75% of adjusted EPS, keeping ample room for reinvestment and share repurchases. The company bought back approximately $1 billion in stock in 2025 and increased its repurchase authorization for 2026. Strategic Moves Fuel the Next Phase of Growth Beyond the attractive dividend yield, Altria’s growth strategy is turning investor heads. Its smokeless and next-generation product portfolio, led by on! nicotine pouches continues capturing market share, supported by double-digit volume growth. Management expects on! to become a material earnings contributor within a few years, offsetting cigarette declines. Altria’s U.S.-focused approach, coupled with regulatory engagement and partnerships in alternative nicotine delivery, is setting up for sustainable innovation-led growth. In its presentation, the company noted progress in integrating its NJOY acquisition and advancing product submissions to the FDA, reinforcing long-term market positioning in reduced-risk nicotine alternatives. Technical Picture: Bulls Taking the Lead As mentioned in the introduction, MO stock shows growing bullish momentum. After a steep correction through late 2025 that bottomed near $56 (confirming a deep support level hit in April and May 2025), shares have rebounded sharply higher. The 50-day simple moving average (SMA), now at $58.97, has turned upward, signaling a short-term trend reversal. The stock’s recent breakout above that line suggests improving sentiment and a potential continuation toward the $64–66 resistance zone seen last fall. That range is slightly above the consensus price target of $63. Momentum indicators reinforce the uptrend. The MACD has crossed firmly above its signal line, with positive histogram bars increasing. Volume has also picked up during recent upswings, hinting that institutional accumulation may be underway. Short-term traders might eye pullbacks toward $59 as buy-the-dip opportunities, while long-term investors could view the current level as an attractive entry point before dividend reinvestment season in February. 
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