RBC Capital released a preview on Altria Group (NYSE:MO) ahead of the upcoming Q1/23 earnings announcement on Thursday. The analysts expect Q1 net sales growth of 1.4% (vs. Street’s 2%), smokeable volumes down 8.9% year-over-year, and EPS of $1.18 (vs. Street’s $1.18).
The analysts estimate smokeable net pricing growth of 10.9% (in line with Street’s estimates), compared to a 13.5% growth in Q4/22, and 9.2% growth in Q1/22.
Given the company’s exposure to low-income households that are continuously pressured, coupled with an uncertain macroeconomic outlook in the US, the analysts believe the company will continue to face trade-down risk.
Although volumes continue to decline, the analysts believe the company should be in line with numbers in Q1/23 with carryover pricing taken in October and new pricing taken in January.