We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Philip Morris (PM) Poised Well on Pricing, Smoke-Free Strength
Read MoreHide Full Article
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) has demonstrated solid resilience amid challenges on its path due to its robust pricing power. A focus on smoke-free alternatives as a response to consumers’ growing health consciousness has been helping the company stay aligned with the evolving trends.
Strength in Smoke-Free Products
PM has been making significant strides in transforming its business, acknowledging the change in consumer preferences toward reduced-risk products. Smoke-free products accounted for 36.2% of the company's total revenues in the third quarter of 2023. The company is well-placed to become a majority smoke-free company by 2025.
Toward this end, PM’s IQOS, a heat-not-burn device, counts among one of the leading RRPs in the industry. These next-generation devices are backed by substantial scientific insights and research. The company expects such advanced and high-quality products to aid adult smokers in switching from traditional cigarettes to smoke-free options.
Among other initiatives, Philip Morris became the majority owner of Swedish Match on Nov 11, 2022. The company witnessed impressive results from the Swedish Match business in the third quarter, driven by ZYN in the United States.
Revenues from smoke-free products (excluding Wellness and Healthcare) jumped 35.7% to $3,234 million (up 16.2% organically) in the third quarter of 2023. Total IQOS users at the end of the third quarter were estimated at roughly 27.4 million (including nearly 19.7 million who switched to IQOS and stopped smoking).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Speaking of the Wellness and Healthcare category, revenues grew 26.3% to $75 million in the third quarter. In February 2021, Philip Morris revealed plans to generate at least $1 billion in annual net revenues from "Beyond Nicotine" products by 2025. The initiative leverages the company’s expertise in life sciences, inhalation technology and natural ingredients, among others. As part of the strategy, PM made three meaningful buyouts in the third quarter of 2021, including Vectura Group plc, Fertin Pharma A/S and OtiTopic. It consolidated these businesses to form the Wellness and Healthcare category on Mar 31, 2022.
Pricing Helps Counter Challenges
Philip Morris' ability to leverage robust pricing power has been providing some cushion against soft cigarette shipment volumes. The addictive nature of cigarettes allows the company to pass on higher prices to consumers, supporting revenues. Pricing is likely to remain a driver in the forthcoming periods as well.
Incidentally, Philip Morris has been witnessing low cigarette volumes. Cigarette volumes, in general, have been affected by consumers’ rising health consciousness and a shift to low-risk tobacco alternatives. Additionally, the impact of macroeconomic headwinds like inflation on Adult Tobacco Consumers’ disposable income has been affecting cigarette industry volumes. In the third quarter of 2023, Philip Morris’ cigarette shipment volumes dropped 0.5% to 161.1 billion units.
Apart from this, high costs are a concern. On its third-quarter earnings call, Philip Morris stated that it expects to make additional growth-oriented investments in 2023, including the commercialization of ILUMA. Though beneficial in the long run, these investments are likely to weigh on margins in the near term.
However, strong pricing and transformation toward a smoke-free future pave a solid path for PM’s growth. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 2% in the past three months against the industry’s decline of 0.4%
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 4.1% and nearly 8%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) , which produces and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterial solutions, holds a Zacks Rank #2. INGR delivered a positive earnings surprise of 23.9% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ingredion Incorporated’s current financial-year sales and earnings suggests growth of around 5% and 24.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Nomad Foods (NOMD - Free Report) manufactures, markets and distributes a range of frozen food products. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2. NOMD has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nomad Foods’ current financial-year sales suggests growth of 6.6% from the year-ago reported figure.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Philip Morris (PM) Poised Well on Pricing, Smoke-Free Strength
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) has demonstrated solid resilience amid challenges on its path due to its robust pricing power. A focus on smoke-free alternatives as a response to consumers’ growing health consciousness has been helping the company stay aligned with the evolving trends.
Strength in Smoke-Free Products
PM has been making significant strides in transforming its business, acknowledging the change in consumer preferences toward reduced-risk products. Smoke-free products accounted for 36.2% of the company's total revenues in the third quarter of 2023. The company is well-placed to become a majority smoke-free company by 2025.
Toward this end, PM’s IQOS, a heat-not-burn device, counts among one of the leading RRPs in the industry. These next-generation devices are backed by substantial scientific insights and research. The company expects such advanced and high-quality products to aid adult smokers in switching from traditional cigarettes to smoke-free options.
Among other initiatives, Philip Morris became the majority owner of Swedish Match on Nov 11, 2022. The company witnessed impressive results from the Swedish Match business in the third quarter, driven by ZYN in the United States.
Revenues from smoke-free products (excluding Wellness and Healthcare) jumped 35.7% to $3,234 million (up 16.2% organically) in the third quarter of 2023. Total IQOS users at the end of the third quarter were estimated at roughly 27.4 million (including nearly 19.7 million who switched to IQOS and stopped smoking).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Speaking of the Wellness and Healthcare category, revenues grew 26.3% to $75 million in the third quarter. In February 2021, Philip Morris revealed plans to generate at least $1 billion in annual net revenues from "Beyond Nicotine" products by 2025. The initiative leverages the company’s expertise in life sciences, inhalation technology and natural ingredients, among others. As part of the strategy, PM made three meaningful buyouts in the third quarter of 2021, including Vectura Group plc, Fertin Pharma A/S and OtiTopic. It consolidated these businesses to form the Wellness and Healthcare category on Mar 31, 2022.
Pricing Helps Counter Challenges
Philip Morris' ability to leverage robust pricing power has been providing some cushion against soft cigarette shipment volumes. The addictive nature of cigarettes allows the company to pass on higher prices to consumers, supporting revenues. Pricing is likely to remain a driver in the forthcoming periods as well.
Incidentally, Philip Morris has been witnessing low cigarette volumes. Cigarette volumes, in general, have been affected by consumers’ rising health consciousness and a shift to low-risk tobacco alternatives. Additionally, the impact of macroeconomic headwinds like inflation on Adult Tobacco Consumers’ disposable income has been affecting cigarette industry volumes. In the third quarter of 2023, Philip Morris’ cigarette shipment volumes dropped 0.5% to 161.1 billion units.
Apart from this, high costs are a concern. On its third-quarter earnings call, Philip Morris stated that it expects to make additional growth-oriented investments in 2023, including the commercialization of ILUMA. Though beneficial in the long run, these investments are likely to weigh on margins in the near term.
However, strong pricing and transformation toward a smoke-free future pave a solid path for PM’s growth. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 2% in the past three months against the industry’s decline of 0.4%
3 Promising Staple Bets
Sysco Corporation (SYY - Free Report) , a food and related product company, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). SYY delivered a back-to-back positive earnings surprise in the past two quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 4.1% and nearly 8%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) , which produces and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterial solutions, holds a Zacks Rank #2. INGR delivered a positive earnings surprise of 23.9% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ingredion Incorporated’s current financial-year sales and earnings suggests growth of around 5% and 24.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Nomad Foods (NOMD - Free Report) manufactures, markets and distributes a range of frozen food products. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2. NOMD has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nomad Foods’ current financial-year sales suggests growth of 6.6% from the year-ago reported figure.