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Altria Group , Inc. (NYSE:MO), a $100 billion market cap company with a "GREAT" financial health rating according to InvestingPro, announced Wednesday that it has entered into an extension agreement to amend its $3.0 billion senior unsecured five-year revolving credit agreement. The agreement, originally dated October 24, 2023, was made with JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A. as administrative agents, along with a group of lenders.
According to the company’s press release statement, the extension agreement moves the expiration date of the credit facility from October 24, 2028, to October 24, 2029. All other terms and conditions of the original credit agreement remain unchanged. The company maintains a moderate debt level while offering shareholders a substantial 6.83% dividend yield, having maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years.
The lenders involved in the agreement and their affiliates have existing relationships with Altria and its subsidiaries, including the provision of financial services such as cash management, investment banking, and trust services.
This information is based on a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In other recent news, Altria Group has been in the spotlight due to several significant developments. The company announced a temporary suspension of trading under its employee benefit plans. This move is linked to a transition in trustee services from State Street (NYSE:STT) Bank and Trust Company to Fidelity Management Trust Company, affecting Deferred Profit-Sharing Plans for both salaried and hourly employees. Additionally, UBS upgraded Altria’s stock rating from Sell to Neutral, citing a positive outlook due to increased enforcement against illicit vape products. UBS highlighted a decline in vapor product exports from China to the U.S. as a contributing factor. On the other hand, Jefferies initiated coverage on Altria with an Underperform rating, expressing concerns about risks to Altria’s U.S. combustibles business. In a broader industry context, the FDA authorized Juul Labs’ e-cigarettes to remain on the U.S. market, while a joint operation by the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection led to the seizure of nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products worth $33.8 million. These recent developments reflect ongoing regulatory and market dynamics impacting Altria and the tobacco industry.
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