Altria Group, Inc.MO

Core operations · Operational disruption and business continuity

A natural or man-made disaster, cybersecurity incident, global pandemic, labor disruption or other disruption that affects the manufacturing operations of any of our operating companies, the operations of any key supplier, distributor or distribution chain service provider of any of our operating companies or any other disruption in the supply or distribution of goods or services could adversely impact operations.

Legal and litigation · Litigation and legal proceedings

Legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various U.S. and foreign jurisdictions against us and our subsidiaries, including PM USA. Various types of claims may be raised in these proceedings, including product liability, unfair trade practices, antitrust, tax, contraband-related claims, intellectual property infringement, breach of contract, employment matters, environmental matters, claims alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Tax and financial reporting · Tax compliance and changes in tax law

A challenge to our tax positions, an increase in the income tax rate or other changes to federal or state tax laws could materially adversely affect our earnings or cash flows. Changes to federal or state tax laws or challenges to one or more of our positions with respect to those laws, including with respect to the availability of duty drawback, could give rise to additional liabilities or reduce the amount of duties, taxes and fees paid by our operating companies for which refunds are available.

Data and privacy · Regulatory investigations and penalties

We cannot predict the outcome of any litigation proceedings or governmental investigations, and unfavorable outcomes in any such proceedings or investigations could materially adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Legal and litigation · Product liability and warranty claims

Legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various U.S. and foreign jurisdictions against us and our subsidiaries. Various types of claims may be raised in these proceedings, including product liability, unfair trade practices, antitrust, tax, contraband-related claims, intellectual property infringement, breach of contract, employment matters, environmental matters.

Cybersecurity and data protection · Third party data security and vendors

Outsourcing certain business functions pursuant to the Initiative may increase our exposure to risks such as data breaches, which could compromise sensitive information. Our vendors and third-party partners may incorporate artificial intelligence tools into their offerings with or without disclosing this use to us. The providers of these artificial intelligence tools may not meet existing or rapidly evolving regulatory or industry standards concerning privacy and data protection.

Cybersecurity and data protection · Data breaches and cyber attacks

The failure of our, or our service providers', key suppliers' or trade customers', information systems to function as intended, or cyber-attacks or security breaches, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Failure of our, or our service providers', key suppliers' or trade customers', information systems to function as intended, or cyber-attacks or security breaches, could result in loss of revenue, assets, personal data, intellectual property, trade secrets or other sensitive and confidential data.

Technology infrastructure · Technology systems and infrastructure failure

From time-to-time, we and our service providers, suppliers and trade customers experience attempts to infiltrate and interrupt information systems. However, because technology is increasingly complex and cyber-attacks are increasingly sophisticated and more frequent, there can be no assurance that such incidents will not cause interruptions that could have a material adverse effect on us in the future.

Innovation and product development · Product development and randd investment risks

We may be unsuccessful in commercializing innovative products, including nicotine products with reduced health risks relative to certain other nicotine products and that appeal to adult nicotine consumers, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position and our ability to achieve our Vision.

Strategic execution · Merger acquisition and divestiture risks

Failure to complete or manage strategic transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and commercial relationships with and investments in third parties, or realize the anticipated benefits of such transactions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and our ability to achieve our Vision. Our former investment in JUUL Labs, Inc. did not result in and, to date, our investment in Cronos has not, resulted in the economic and competitive advantages expected at the time the investments were made.

Market position and competition · Pricing pressure and margin compression

The competitive environments in which our operating companies compete and our operating companies' competitive positions can be significantly impacted by the price differentials between premium and discount brands. PM USA faces competition from lower-priced brands sold by certain domestic and foreign manufacturers that have cost advantages because they are not parties to settlements of certain healthcare cost recovery litigation in the United States.

Market and investment · Investment portfolio performance

The expected benefits of our investment in ABI may not materialize in the expected manner or timeframe or at all, including due to ABI's business results; ABI's share price; impairment losses on the value of our investment; our incurrence of additional tax liabilities related to our investment in ABI; and potential reductions in the number of directors that we can have appointed to the ABI board of directors.

International and currency · Foreign exchange and currency exposure

The expected benefits of our investment in ABI may not materialize in the expected manner or timeframe or at all, including due to foreign currency exchange rates. For purposes of financial reporting, the earnings from and carrying value of our investment in ABI are translated into U.S. dollars from various local currencies. During times of a strengthening USD against these currencies, our reported earnings from and carrying value of our investment in ABI will be reduced.

Market and investment · Asset valuation and impairment

We may be required to write down goodwill and other intangible assets, including trademarks and other intellectual property, due to impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position. In 2025, we recorded impairments of the values of the goodwill and other intangible assets within our e-vapor reporting unit as a result of the ITC exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders prohibiting the importation and sale of NJOY ACE into the United States.

Corporate governance · Internal controls and risk management

Our Optimize & Accelerate initiative may expose us to increased risks relating to business continuity and our internal control over financial reporting and audit procedures, among others, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, cash flows, financial position or results of operations. The Initiative presents a number of risks that could adversely impact our business, such as risks relating to operational continuity, talent management and internal control over financial reporting and audit procedures.

Reputation and brand · Esg environmental social governance performance

Our performance relating to corporate responsibility matters and investor and stakeholder responses thereto may impact our reputation, ability to attract investors and the market value of our stock. Investors may choose not to invest in us if their policies prevent them from investing in tobacco companies and may base investment and other decisions on their view of our policies, actions, goals or disclosures with respect to corporate responsibility matters.

Economic and market conditions · Consumer spending and confidence

The willingness of adult nicotine consumers to purchase premium brands is affected by macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and overall economic stability. In periods of economic uncertainty and high inflation, we have observed that adult nicotine consumers reduce consumption, purchase more discount brands and consider lower-priced nicotine products, increasing the market share of competitive discount products.

Geopolitical and trade · Trade policies tariffs and sanctions

Current geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions (including tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, supply and demand imbalances and international armed conflicts) are causing worldwide disruptions and delays to supply chains and commercial markets, which limit access to, and increase the cost of, raw materials, ingredients and component parts.

Natural and catastrophic events · Pandemic and public health crises

We face various risks related to health epidemics and pandemics, and such events, and the measures that international, federal, state and local governments, agencies, law enforcement and health authorities implement to address them, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Economic and market conditions · Inflation and deflation pressures

Due to inflationary pressures and other adverse macroeconomic factors, our operating companies may be unable to sufficiently increase the prices of their premium products to offset volume declines from consumers down-trading to lower-priced competitive brands or moving across nicotine product categories.