Altria shares up as focus turns to board meeting

(Reuters) - "I expect the stock to be strong going into this meeting," Charles Norton, portfolio manager of the Vice Fund , said.




Altria has said that it is still considering a possible spinoff of PMI and has declined to comment on timing or the amount of any subsequent stock repurchases that might occur.


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Senate panel resets session on FDA tobacco bill

(Reuters) - Kennedy's bill is backed by dozens of other senators, major public health groups and Altria Group Inc. unit Philip Morris USA, maker of top-selling Marlboro cigarettes.




Opposed by smaller cigarette makers as too favorable to Philip Morris, the bill would let the FDA restrict tobacco advertising; prevent cigarette sales to minors; toughen warning labels; bar misrepresentation of tobacco's dangers; and order removal of harmful ingredients from cigarettes.


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US top court rules against Philip Morris

(Reuters) - WASHINGTON, June 11 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a class-action lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, a unit of Altria Group Inc., should not be decided in federal court, handing a defeat to the tobacco company.



The justices unanimously reversed a ruling that allowed Philip Morris to transfer the lawsuit to federal court from the Arkansas state court where it initially was filed.


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