How Altria Set Itself Up for Failure

Altria (NYSE: MO) is a giant in the cigarette business, with its iconic Marlboro brand holding a huge 42% share of the North American cigarette market and a 59.4% share in the premium space. In many ways, the company is an industry leader. And yet, when you look at the numbers, you start to see that Altria is also the industry laggard. It is Altria's own fault -- here's why.It is pretty clear that Altria is a big player in the North American market. But there are some important caveats to consider here. For starters, the Marlboro brand made up roughly 89% of the company's cigarette volume in the second quarter of 2024. So, for the most part, Altria is a one-trick pony. That's not a good thing, even though that pony is, for now, very attractive.Image source: Getty Images.Continue readingWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei MotleyFool Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei MotleyFool