STOCKCHASE

Successful story through 2010 and 2011. The old Philip Morris. Fine dividend. But less growth that Phillip Morris International and so he would prefer that.

2012-01-11

Comment

28.730

This or Philip Morris (PM-N)? The old Philip Morris split itself into 2 parts including Altria, the US part and Philip Morris international, which is outside of the US. Dividend is higher in Altria but growth potential is less. Altria is currently outperforming because of its dividend, but at some point, that will change.

2011-12-14

DON'T BUY

27.310

Domestic half of business. He prefers international (PM) side of the operation. NA smoking habits are on the decline. They are trying to hook young Chinese. He doesn’t invest in these because of the moral decision.

2011-10-24

TOP PICK

27.320

Stan Wong

Cigarettes, 50% of market share. Can benefit from the improved litigation environment. Growth is not bad. 7% year over year growth and good dividend. His clients don’t stop him buying it for them just because it is cigarettes.

2011-10-19

BUY

27.180

Stan Wong

Likes this one. You get a very attractive dividend of 5.6% and probably a rising dividend over the next several years. Trading at a 13X PE with a decent growth rate. (See Top Picks.)

2011-06-22

BUY

27.180

Srikanth Iyer

The whole tobacco cluster has done extremely well. It has growth, payout and sustainability. Loves the tobacco industry.

2011-06-22

HOLD

24.880

Steven Conville

Well run with sound management. They consistently reward their investors. Hold onto a small position for the dividend.

2010-10-15

BUY

22.610

(Market Call Minute.) A great company. If you're comfortable with cigarettes and has a great yield. Good margins.

2010-08-26

BUY

19.620

Incredibly well run company. Quite cheap at the present time. Great yield at over 7%. Very low capital expenditures. Tons of free cash flow. Growing internationally. You have to deal with the issue that if this is a tobacco company.

2010-06-24

BUY

19.420

Stan Wong

Nice company to own if you are looking for a consistent and stable yield. Yielding almost 7%. Payout ratio is not too exorbitant so dividend should be safe.

2010-02-04

WEAK BUY

18.810

Safe, slow growth and paying out of a lot of their earnings as dividends. Reinvesting some dividends into greater growth areas but are limited in growth going forward. Valuation is cheap because of low growth. 7.2% yield.

2009-11-30

BUY

18.970

If you own this one, it is for the dividend, which has always been large. Cash cow. 7.1% yield.

2009-11-11

BUY

18.180

Benj Gallander

You have people that are dependent on cigarettes and cigars. As a dividend play it could continue, but they have a high debt load. He’s not that keen on investing in a company that kills people but it’s hard to ignore the constant demand for the product.

2009-10-22

Comment

16.300

Ara Nalbandian

Tobacco. Prefers Lorillard (LO-N) as they are the most efficient operator. This is also attractive. Steady cash flow generator in a recession resistant type of business. Some overhang in the sector as FDA starts to regulate, so there is some risk.

2009-07-03

BUY

17.210

Brett Hryb

Tobacco is traditionally a defensive stock to play. There has been a decline in tobacco consumption in the US, but globally there is still a fairly good growth. Strong cash flow so dividend is safe.

2009-05-13

WEAK BUY

14.930

Alan Kral , CFA, CIC

Dividend is safe for awhile. Stock price is down. In the long term they have good cash flow, but they they may be at legal liability with tobacco. If willing to take risk may be compensated.

2008-12-09

BUY

16.260

Charles Bobrinskoy

Just completed its financing of US Tobacco and paid over 10% interest on their 30 year bonds. Smoking rates in the US continued to decline. Doesn't own because of his company’s social responsibilities.

2008-11-14

BUY

19.090

Kevin O'Leary

(Market Call Minute.)

2008-11-04

BUY

19.580

Very well run company. Just made a big acquisition of smokeless tobacco company UST (UST-N), which will be very good for them. Strong dividend.

2008-10-23

BUY

20.950

For a long-term investment, tobacco companies are great names to own.

2008-09-05

Comment

21.580

Split into 2 companies, Altria (MO-N) and Philip Morris International (PM-N). This one owns Philip Morris assets in the US, which is a no growth business however, there is no business in the world that is more profitable than the tobacco business. You would own this one for the dividend yield.

2008-05-12

Comment

22.300

David Driscoll

Good dividend. Have taken most of the cigarette assets out of the US so don’t pay for litigation anymore. Selling into Russia and China.

2008-04-23

BUY

20.910

Gavin Graham

Legal challenges that they have faced over the last 10 years have been beaten back in most cases. Going to continue to chug along very nicely. Pretty recession resistant.

2008-04-09

DON'T BUY

73.660

Doesn't own this one because of his stand on ethics. If you are buying something that is swimming upstream in terms of cultural and moral issues, it has to be a consideration.

2008-03-12

TOP PICK

74.260

Alex Ruus

World's largest tobacco company. Undergoing another transition and is being broken up in mid-March into Phillip Morris International and Phillip Morris USA. The sum of the pieces is worth a lot more than the combined entity.

2008-02-25

TOP PICK

75.070

Alex Ruus

Very compelling catalyst coming up. Will be splitting up into Phillip Morris, which will be all there non-US tobacco operations and Altria will continue as their US tobacco operations. 4% yield.

2008-02-04

HOLD

82.670

The biggest tobacco company in the world. Has weakened off in recent weeks, which could be due to profit taking.

2007-02-27

BUY

87.390

Will be spinning out Kraft. There is no better legitimate business in the world than tobacco. Low-cost, addicted consumers and good growth in developing countries.

2007-01-31

DON'T BUY

89.190

This company makes a lot of money selling cigarettes to the Third World. Not a fan of companies that sell products that kill their customers. There is talk of them spinning off Kraft and he would look at this.

2007-01-10

BUY

84.790

Doesn’t have the issue of dealing with too much litigation anymore. Feels they should get rid of some of their businesses and become a more pure play. Good price.

2006-12-12

DON'T BUY

78.250

This has been an overvalued stock. It is where money has been going when escaping from cyclicals. The model price is $69.25 which is a -12% differential.

2006-10-17

DON'T BUY

76.970

There is a class action lawsuit against this company and other tobacco companies. He believes that it is not worth taking the risk. Does not buy tobacco stocks.

2006-09-28

WEAK BUY

77.290

Largest tobacco company. Great stock to be in. However, the company is subject to lawsuits and presently there is a class action lawsuit against the whole tobacco industry. There is a short term risk here, so short term investors should stay clear. Long term investors should use this weakness to buy.

2006-09-27

HOLD

83.630

The biggest tobacco company in the world.

2006-08-22

BUY

77.290

This is the kind of company that should do well in this kind of market. Tremendous cash flow generation. Solid dividend yields. Very little economic impact. Have had some good rulings over the last little while.

2006-07-12

DON'T BUY

70.040

Over the last couple of years, there was a strong focus on stocks that generated a strong cash flow. For the first time, there is a marked decline in the use of tobacco products. 4.5% dividend.

2006-04-10

BUY

73.380

Does not see a further break up. Company is seeing some growth and generating cash. It is a good stable long growth stock.

2006-02-22

DON'T BUY

71.380

Larry Berman CFA, CMT, CTA

Or the last several years, the market has there been very interested in cash flow generating assets. Both for the ability to pay a dividend yield and to generate value over time. This one comes with some legal issues on tobacco but they also have the food side. Technically, food/tobacco seems to be backing off. Moving down towards its 200 Day moving average.

2006-02-06

BUY on WEAKNESS

73.470

80% of stocks decline when a market peaks. Philip Morris has a very low market beta, in that it kind of does its own thing. Typically it's a stock where people go when they want to hide. If you can pick it up at against trend line support or some intermediate moving average then it's probably worthwhile jumping on board

2005-09-28

BUY

66.120

Jim O'Shaughnessy

A classic example where the news just seems to get worse and worse and yet the price continues to climb. It sells for a fraction of breakup value. Low valuations in terms of every $ spent for $ of sales and/or earnings (cash flow) yet has a dividend yield of 4.7% plus all the buy back activity and this is why it's going up.

2005-05-09

BUY

54.550

The tobacco part generates substantial amounts of cash. Restructuring and spinning out some of their other businesses would probably increase its value.

2004-11-11

PAST TOP PICK

47.830

(Past top pick Apr 6/04. Up 7%) Pays 6% dividend yield. They buy it on bad news. An absolute cash flow machine.

2004-06-22

TOP PICK

55.570

(A past top pick Jan 14/04. Up 2.6%.) Also paid out at $.77 dividend during that period. They will spin off their Kraft holdings.

2004-04-06

TOP PICK

54.310

Cristopher Davis

Controversy often creates low valuation giving opportunities to buy. Good in a diversified portfolio. Good dividend.

2004-03-12

TOP PICK

53.880

Expects huge cash flows in the next five years. Class-action lawsuits seem to be going in favor of the tobacco companies. 6% dividends.

2004-01-14

DON'T BUY

53.130

Good cash generator. Kraft has been a problem for them but they spun it off. A better stock to own during a down period.

2004-01-12

BUY

52.310

Gavin Graham

Continuing to win court cases, so the legal clouds are less than what they were. A cash generating machine. 5/6% dividend yield. Looking pretty good.

2003-12-10

STRONG BUY

40.570

8% dividend yield. Five times cash flow. 6/7 X earnings. They own 83% of Kraft plus Philip Morris International. With these assets, you are actually paid $10 a share to own Philip Morris USA.

2003-09-12

DON'T BUY

46.770

Has problems with litigation and expects more to come.

2003-07-08

DON'T BUY

42.310

Peter Arender, CFA

Fairly priced. Possible 10/15% upside, if that. 6% dividend.

2003-05-26

DON'T BUY

42.310

Brad Willock

Just won a legal case, so stock has had a good run. Too risky for his clients.

2003-05-23

DON'T BUY

29.020

Illinois has a judgement against them.

2003-04-07

DON'T BUY

28.100

Money is leaving consumer product stocks.

2003-04-01

DON'T BUY

37.530

Doesn't like what tobacco does to people, but also legal liabilities could be huge.

2003-02-06

BUY

41.490

Very inexpensive. Strong cash flow. Good dividend.

2002-12-16

HOLD

39.950

Paul O'Neil

Should bounce back, but only keep a small holding.

2002-12-06

DON'T BUY

43.080

Mark Jackson, CFA

Great cash flow, but litigation is a concern. Use as a trading stock.

2002-10-22

BUY

51.360

Peter Brieger

Good defensive stock.

2002-08-14

DON'T BUY

44.120

Paul O'Neil

Can't understand why lawsuits haven't taken all their money.

2002-07-17

DON'T BUY

45.270

Too expensive.

2002-07-04

DON'T BUY

43.680

Noah Blackstein, B.A., CFA

Benefiting from weaker US $. Prefers other sectors.

2002-06-28

BUY

42.870

Ross Healy

Decent dividend of 5%. Huge upside potential. Some concerns on litigations.

2002-06-27

DON'T BUY

52.850

Neil Murdock

Expects that down the road, it will become like a regulated utility.

2002-04-15

WEAK BUY

53.570

Good yield and they periodically buy back shares. A defensive stock.

2002-04-10

DON'T BUY

49.570

A good safety stock, but overvalued. Good dividend.

2002-01-30

BUY

49.900

Arthur Heinmaa

Litigation is an issue, but is built in on the price. Has a big dividend and at a good price.

2002-01-28

WEAK BUY

48.260

Litigation problems are already built into the stock. Money has moved in as a defensive position.

2002-01-14

BUY

45.080

Arthur Heinmaa

5% dividend yield. Less vulnerable in an economic slowdown.

2001-12-07

BUY

49.910

Arthur Heinmaa

Has good cash flow and yield.

2001-10-19

BUY

50.480

Gavin Graham

Well run and generates lots of cash. Stable.

2001-10-15

WEAK BUY

50.160

Been a good performer. Still holding up well technically. A good holding for a conservative investor.

2001-10-05

BUY

49.370

Brendan Kyne

Dividend is good. A safe stock.

2001-10-01

BUY

47.370

Brendan Caldwell

Have seen the worst of the law suits.

2001-09-24

BUY

45.510

John Sinkins, CFA

Defensive stock. Philip Morris is #1 due to better exposure on US market and Rothmans is #2.

2001-08-07

DON'T BUY

43.160

Joe Connolly

Legal suits and tobacco interests are a problem.

2001-07-27

DON'T BUY

45.820

Jeff Morrison

Very consistent. Litigation is a concern.

2001-07-19

BUY

46.500

Noah Blackstein, B.A., CFA

A cash cow. Good dividend/growth.

2001-06-20

BUY

49.100

Jeff Morrison

A defensive stock. Solid operating results. Is volatile on news.

2001-06-12

DON'T BUY

50.700

Bush admin. is soft on tobacco companies, but when market starts recovery, this will not do as well.

2001-04-25

DON'T BUY

45.890

Neil Murdock

Own some good brand names, but concerned that tobacco will become too highly regulated by states and feds.

2001-04-12

DON'T BUY

47.570

Jeff Morrison

Concerned about litigation risks. High quality company.

2001-04-10

WEAK BUY

47.000

James Cole, BA, CFA

Has had a good track record, but nervous of tobacco industry.

2001-04-09

STRONG BUY

42.900

John McColl

Ethical and legal problems. Still a cheap stock. Good dividend

2001-03-22

DON'T BUY

45.790

Glenn Paradis, BA, CFA

A money machine. Worried about liability. Very cheap, but lawsuits are not over

2001-02-01

BUY

37.000