(Source: Business Wire)
Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) (NYSE: MO) is participating in the Barclays Capital Back-To-School Consumer Conference in Boston, Massachusetts today. The presentation is being webcast live at www.altria.com in a listen-only mode, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
During the presentation, Michael E. Szymanczyk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altria Group, Inc. will discuss Altria's performance against its 2009 plan to deliver strong returns to Altria shareholders, as well as opportunities for future growth.
Altria reaffirms its 2009 guidance for adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $1.72 to $1.77, representing a growth rate of 4% to 7% from an adjusted base of $1.65 per share in 2008. On a reported basis, Altria forecasts 2009 full year reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $1.51 to $1.56. The factors described in the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this press release represent continuing risks to these projections. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are detailed later in this press release.
An archived copy of the webcast and prepared remarks will be available until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, October 9, 2009, at www.altria.com.
Altria's Profile
Altria directly or indirectly owns 100% of each of Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC), John Middleton Co. (Middleton), Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd. (SMWE), and Philip Morris Capital Corporation. Altria holds a continuing economic and voting interest in SABMiller plc.
The brand portfolio of Altria's tobacco operating companies includes such well-known names as Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild. SMWE produces and markets premium wines sold under 20 different labels including Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest, as well as exclusively distributes and markets Antinori products and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. Trademarks and service marks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of, or licensed by, Altria or its subsidiaries. More information about Altria is available at www.altria.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Altria reports its consolidated financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Today's press release contains earnings per share guidance on both a reported basis and on an adjusted basis, which excludes special items that affect the comparability of reported results.
