Altria Group reaffirms 2014 guidance for reported diluted EPS in range of US$2.51-US$2.58, reflecting estimated SABMiller special items

Nevin Barich

RICHMOND, Virginia , February 19, 2014 (press release) – Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) (NYSE:MO) is participating in the Consumer Analyst Group of New York Conference in Boca Raton, Florida today. Marty Barrington, Altria's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the Altria management team will highlight the strengths of Altria's diverse business model and discuss Altria's strategies to create long-term value for shareholders.

The presentation is being webcast live at altria.com in a listen-only mode, beginning at approximately 9:15 a.m., Eastern Time. A copy of the business presentation and remarks, and a replay of the audio webcast of the remarks, will be available at altria.com.

2014 Full-Year EPS Guidance

Altria reaffirms its 2014 full-year guidance for reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) in a range of $2.51 to $2.58. The forecast reflects estimated SABMiller plc (SABMiller) special items. Altria also reaffirms its 2014 full-year guidance for adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes the special items shown in the table below, in a range of $2.52 to $2.59, representing a growth rate of 6% to 9% from an adjusted diluted EPS base of $2.38 in 2013.

The factors described in the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this release represent continuing risks to this forecast. Reconciliations of full-year reported to adjusted diluted EPS are shown in the table below.

Altria's Full-Year Earnings Per Share Guidance

Full Year
2014 Guidance 2013
Change

Reported diluted EPS
$ 2.51 to $ 2.58
$ 2.26
11% to 14%
NPM adjustment items1 - (0.21 )
Tobacco and health judgments - 0.01
SABMiller special items 0.01 0.01
Loss on early extinguishment of debt - 0.34
Tax items - (0.03 )
Adjusted diluted EPS $ 2.52 to $ 2.59 $ 2.38
6% to 9%

1 Reflects the impact of Philip Morris USA Inc.'s settlement with certain states of the non-participating manufacturer (NPM) adjustment disputes for 2003-2012 (NPM Adjustment Settlement) and the diligent enforcement rulings of the arbitration panel presiding over the NPM adjustment dispute for 2003 (NPM Arbitration Panel Decision).

Altria’s Profile

Altria directly or indirectly owns 100% of each of Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), John Middleton Co. (Middleton), Nu Mark LLC (Nu Mark), Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd (Ste. Michelle) and Philip Morris Capital Corporation (PMCC). Altria holds a continuing economic and voting interest in SABMiller plc.

The brand portfolios of Altria’s tobacco operating companies include Marlboro®, Black & Mild®, Copenhagen®, Skoal® and MarkTen™. Ste. Michelle produces and markets premium wines sold under various labels, including Chateau Ste. Michelle®, Columbia Crest®, 14 Hands® and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars®, and it imports and markets Antinori®, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte™ and Villa Maria Estate™ products in the United States. Trademarks and service marks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of Altria or its subsidiaries or are used with permission. More information about Altria is available at altria.com.

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