This Ultra-High Dividend Yield Stock Is Crushing the Market in 2025: But Is It a Buy Today?

In times of turmoil and uncertainty, investors often flock to consumer staples. That has occurred yet again in 2025. Altria Group (NYSE: MO) has posted a total return of 17% year to date, compared to a measly 2% return for the S&P 500 index. With domestic rights to the tobacco brand Marlboro, among other assets, the company has long been a reliable dividend stock, and it boasts a sky-high dividend yield of 6.8% as of this writing.Should you buy shares of Altria Group to ride out market volatility? Here are the positives and negatives of owning the tobacco stock right now.The largest selling point against Altria Group and its cigarette business is the rapidly declining usage of cigarettes in the United States. While good for society, it is a headwind to Altria's bottom line, with gradually declining demand for the company's core product. And this trend may be accelerating as Marlboro volumes fell 13% year over year last quarter, one of the worst volume performances in the company's history.Continue reading

Jun 22, 2025 - 15:37
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This Ultra-High Dividend Yield Stock Is Crushing the Market in 2025: But Is It a Buy Today?

In times of turmoil and uncertainty, investors often flock to consumer staples. That has occurred yet again in 2025. Altria Group (NYSE: MO) has posted a total return of 17% year to date, compared to a measly 2% return for the S&P 500 index. With domestic rights to the tobacco brand Marlboro, among other assets, the company has long been a reliable dividend stock, and it boasts a sky-high dividend yield of 6.8% as of this writing.

Should you buy shares of Altria Group to ride out market volatility? Here are the positives and negatives of owning the tobacco stock right now.

The largest selling point against Altria Group and its cigarette business is the rapidly declining usage of cigarettes in the United States. While good for society, it is a headwind to Altria's bottom line, with gradually declining demand for the company's core product. And this trend may be accelerating as Marlboro volumes fell 13% year over year last quarter, one of the worst volume performances in the company's history.

Continue reading