Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) has reported its 2021 fourth-quarter and full-year business results, calling them “outstanding”, according to a company press release.

The company's net revenue for the last quarter decreased by 0.8 per cent to USD 6.25 billion and by 0.5 per cent to USD 26.01 billion for the full year 2021.
Reported diluted EPS decreased 14.6 per cent to USD 0.88 for the fourth quarter, primarily driven by unfavourable Cronos-related special items and 2020 changes in the estimated fair value of Altria’s investment in JUUL. For the full year, reported diluted EPS decreased 44.2 per cent to USD 1.34, primarily driven by lower reported earnings from Altria’s investment in ABI (due primarily to the 2021 impairment of its investment in ABI), losses on early extinguishment of debt and unfavourable Cronos-related special items. Altria expects its 2022 full-year adjusted diluted EPS to be in a range of USD 4.79 to 4.93, representing a growth rate of 4 to 7 per cent from an adjusted diluted EPS base of USD 4.61 in 2021.
Total US oral tobacco category share for on! nicotine pouches grew to 3.9 per cent in the fourth quarter, an increase of 0.9 percentage points sequentially and an increase of 2.8 percentage points from the end of 2020.
PM USA remains focused on returning IQOS to the market, is working on re-entry plans and expects to be ready to re-launch the product when it becomes available.
“Altria delivered outstanding results in 2021 across our businesses, including strong financial performance, progress toward our Vision and advancements in our ESG efforts,” said Billy Gifford, Altria’s Chief Executive Officer. “We returned more than USD 8.1 billion in cash to shareholders in 2021 through dividends and share repurchases. This total represents the third-largest single-year cash return in Altria’s history and the largest annual return since 2002.”