Jeff Auxier Comments on Philip Morris International

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Aug 08, 2019

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM)

Philip Morris has been facing extreme currency pressure due to the strength of the US dollar. Despite the foreign exchange headwinds, they continue to dominate the international tobacco market with total market share increasing by a point to 28.4%. Their in-market sales were up 1.7% led by strong growth from their IQOS heated tobacco devices which grew by nearly 35%. IQOS has taken off in Japan and is starting to pick up steam across the rest of the globe with the EU and Russia both seeing double-digit growth. Philip Morris has marketed the IQOS devices as a substitute to traditional cigarettes that releases fewer chemicals since the tobacco is not burned. The rapid growth of IQOS is only projected to increase as local governments push this alternative.

From Jeff Auxier (Trades, Portfolio)'s second-quarter 2019 market commentary.