Altria vs Philip Morris International: Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
Altria is cheaper on earnings, at 15.7 times against 28.9; Altria keeps the higher net margin (34.5% against 24.8%); Philip Morris International grew revenue faster over the last year (7.9% against 0.5%); Altria pays the higher dividend yield (5.6% against 2.9%). Altria clears 4 of this site's 8 value filters and Philip Morris International 2. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do Altria and Philip Morris International compare on the numbers?
| Measure | Altria (MO) | Philip Morris International (PM) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $76.12 | $197.88 | |
| Market value | $128 billion | $310 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 15.7 | 28.9 | MO |
| PEG ratio | 4.41 | 3.56 | PM |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 7.1% | 4.3% | MO |
| Net profit margin | 34.5% | 24.8% | MO |
| Revenue growth, last year | 0.5% | 7.9% | PM |
| Return on equity | 149.7% | 575.4% | PM |
| Debt to equity | 8.67 | 186.08 | MO |
| Dividend yield | 5.6% | 2.9% | MO |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | +17.5% | -34.6% | MO |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 4 | 2 | MO |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.4% | -6.3% |
How have Altria and Philip Morris International shares done against each other?
Altria 169Philip Morris International 213
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, Altria shares are up 69% and Philip Morris International shares up 113%, so Philip Morris International has pulled ahead of Altria by 44 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 27% for Altria and 24% for Philip Morris International.
| Period | Altria (MO) | Philip Morris International (PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | +32.9% | +32.0% |
| Last 3 years | +87.8% | +117.5% |
| Last 5 years | +68.4% | +109.8% |
Which has grown faster, Altria or Philip Morris International?
Over 5 years, Altria grew revenue -2.3% a year and earnings per share 11.3% a year; Philip Morris International grew revenue 7.2% and earnings per share 7.1%. Its net margin averaged 28.5% at Altria and 25.3% at Philip Morris International.
| Measure | Altria (MO) | Philip Morris International (PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $26.2 billion to $23.3 billion | $28.7 billion to $40.6 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | -2.3% | 7.2% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $2.41 to $4.12 | $5.16 to $7.26 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | 11.3% | 7.1% |
| Net margin, latest year | 29.8% | 27.9% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 28.5% | 25.3% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | 39.0% | 26.2% |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | Altria (MO) | Philip Morris International (PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | 3.2% a year | 15.5% a year |
| Free cash flow per share | $5.41 | $8.61 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | +17.5% | -34.6% |
At $76.12, Altria's price implies free cash flow growth of 3.2% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is less growth than the 8% baseline.
At $197.88, Philip Morris International's price implies free cash flow growth of 15.5% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is more growth than the 8% baseline.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where Altria leads
- Lower P/E: 15.7 against 28.9
- Higher free-cash-flow yield: 7.1% against 4.3%
- Higher net margin: 34.5% against 24.8%
- Less debt for its equity: 8.67 against 186.08
- Higher dividend yield: 5.6% against 2.9%
- Higher margin of safety on this site's DCF: +17.5% against -34.6%
- More of the 8 value filters: 4 against 2
- Faster earnings-per-share growth over its filed record: 11.3% against 7.1%
- A higher net margin in its latest filed year: 29.8% against 27.9%
- A higher average net margin: 28.5% against 25.3%
- A higher free-cash-flow margin in its latest filed year: 39.0% against 26.2%
Where Philip Morris International leads
- Lower PEG: 3.56 against 4.41
- Faster revenue growth last year: 7.9% against 0.5%
- Higher return on equity: 575.4% against 149.7%
- Faster revenue growth over its filed record: 7.2% against -2.3%
A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
Altria. Altria sells cigarettes and other tobacco products in the US only, led by Marlboro, and also owns smokeless-tobacco and nicotine-pouch brands. Marlboro outside the US belongs to Philip Morris International.
Philip Morris International. Philip Morris International sells cigarettes outside the US and is moving toward smoke-free products such as the IQOS heated-tobacco device and ZYN nicotine pouches. In the US, Marlboro belongs to Altria, a separate company.
Both are in the Tobacco industry on this site.
What stands out about Altria
- Misses 2 of the 8 value filters. It fails PEG Ratio < 1.5 (4.41) and Price/Book < 8 (39.22); the other 4 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from +27% on Oct 7 to +18% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: net margin. At 34.5% (peer median 11.8%) it ranks 1st of 19 among consumer products stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about Philip Morris International
- Misses 4 of the 8 value filters. It fails Trailing P/E < 25 (28.93), PEG Ratio < 1.5 (3.56) and Price/Book < 8 (2765.78) and 1 more; the other 2 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from -29% on Oct 7 to -35% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Weakest against peers: debt / equity. At 186.08 (peer median 0.54) it ranks 19th of 19 among consumer products stocks this site tracks.
Frequently asked questions about Altria and Philip Morris International
Which is cheaper, Altria or Philip Morris International?
On trailing earnings, Altria is cheaper: Altria trades at 15.7 times and Philip Morris International at 28.9 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 7.1% and 4.3%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, Altria or Philip Morris International?
Altria pays the higher yield: Altria 5.6% and Philip Morris International 2.9% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, Altria or Philip Morris International?
Over their latest filed five years, Altria grew revenue -2.3% a year and Philip Morris International 7.2%; earnings per share grew 11.3% and 7.1% a year.
Which has more debt, Altria or Philip Morris International?
Philip Morris International has more debt for its equity: debt to equity is 8.67 for Altria and 186.08 for Philip Morris International. A very high figure can also come from buybacks that shrank equity.
Which is more profitable, Altria or Philip Morris International?
Altria keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 34.5% for Altria and 24.8% for Philip Morris International, with a return on equity of 149.7% and 575.4%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Altria clears more: Altria 4 of 8 and Philip Morris International 2 of 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, not a prediction.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on Altria and Philip Morris International). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.