This tobacco giant gives out large dividends It looks like the whole tobacco industry has made a concerted cdecision to have the highest possible dividend payouts. Altria (NYSE:MO), the owner of Philip Morris USA, made the decision to spin off the growth part of the business — Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) — and keep the more stagnant cash-generating U.S. operations. They may be shrinking slowly, but steady price hikes and good cost controls indicate a reliable dividend stream for many years — possibly decades. But what exactly is Altria today? There is more to it than Philip Morris USA, as Altria bought smokeless tobacco maker UST recently. Altria also owns John Middleton, a company dealing in machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco. In addition to the finance subsidiary — Philip Morris Capital … Read entire article »

Up in smoke Two thieves pulled a gun on a man on E. 58th Street on Dec. 17, taking his cash and supply of cigars and cigarettes. The victim was nearing his car parked near Flatlands Avenue at 12:56 pm when the suspects walked up and demanded he hand over his property. The suspects had removed several boxes of smokes from the victim’s car before cops caught up with them, charging them with robbery in the first degree. Ave. M attack A goon jumped a man on Avenue M on Dec. 18, leaving his victim with a deep head wound. The victim said he was nearing E. 53rd Street at 4:32 am when the suspect ran up to him, knocked him to the ground and began kicking him. The victim was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where doctors … Read entire article »