8-KRegulation FDExhibits & Filings

ALTRIA GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Jun 29, 2005)

Filed June 29, 2005For Securities:MO

Summary

This 8-K filing from Altria Group, Inc. (MO) on June 29, 2005, primarily discloses forward-looking statements made by Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI), Altria's international tobacco subsidiary, at the JP Morgan Global Tobacco Conference. The key takeaway for investors is PMI's outlook for the full year 2005, which includes expectations for volume growth and operating companies income growth, factoring in recent acquisitions and potential market challenges. Specifically, PMI anticipates approximately 5% total volume growth for the year, boosted by the acquisitions of Coltabaco and Sampoerna. However, excluding these acquisitions, projected volume growth is a more modest 1%. This subdued organic growth is attributed to anticipated negative impacts from excise tax increases in Germany and ongoing tax system adjustments in Turkey. Despite these headwinds and a strengthening U.S. dollar, PMI forecasts double-digit operating companies income growth, benefiting significantly from the Sampoerna acquisition.

Key Highlights

  • 1Philip Morris International (PMI) President and CEO presented at the JP Morgan Global Tobacco Conference.
  • 2PMI projects full-year 2005 total volume growth of approximately 5%, including acquisitions.
  • 3Excluding acquisitions (Coltabaco and Sampoerna), PMI expects organic volume growth of approximately 1% for 2005.
  • 4Anticipated negative impacts on volume growth include excise tax increases in Germany (September 2005) and tax system changes in Turkey.
  • 5PMI forecasts double-digit operating companies income growth for full-year 2005.
  • 6The Sampoerna acquisition is expected to significantly benefit PMI's operating companies income.
  • 7The strengthening U.S. dollar is noted as a challenge, alongside issues in Germany and Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to publicly disclose forward-looking statements made by the President and CEO of Philip Morris International (PMI), Altria's international subsidiary, during a presentation at the JP Morgan Global Tobacco Conference. This ensures broad public access to this material information.

PMI expects approximately 5% volume growth for the full year 2005, inclusive of the recent acquisitions of Coltabaco and Sampoerna. Excluding these acquisitions, the projected organic volume growth is approximately 1%.

PMI anticipates that an excise tax increase scheduled for September in Germany and continuing changes to the tax system in Turkey will negatively impact its organic volume growth.

Despite challenges in Germany and Turkey and a strengthening U.S. dollar, PMI projects double-digit operating companies income growth for the full year 2005, significantly benefiting from the Sampoerna acquisition.