Altria and Philip Morris in talks on a merger that would reunite them after more than a decade apart

Altria Inc.’s stock soared more than 8% Tuesday before surrendering those gains, while shares of Philip Morris International Inc. fell 8%, after the latter confirmed speculation that the two are in talks on a potential merger of equals that would reunite them after more than 10 years apart.

Herzog wrote in a note to clients that the reasons a deal is now more likely include that Altria looks more attractive because of its Juul stake, as Juul would make a strong partner for Philip Morris given its dominance of the U.S. e-cigarette and vapor market and its international ambitions.

Read now: FDA warns teens against ‘epidemic of addiction’ — amid revelation that Juul representatives visited high schoolsThe March ban came after an FDA crackdown spearheaded by former commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who threatened to fully ban pod-based vaporizers such as Juul’s if underage vaping were to continue to increase. Gottlieb has described the popularity of the devices as an epidemic, a characterization that has been echoed by the U.S. Surgeon General.

Don’t miss: Teens can spend $1,000 a year on vaping — and the crackdown on Juul is making it more expensive “We think the combination makes sense for Altria given ongoing sales declines and heightened regulatory scrutiny covering tobacco and e-cigarettes in the U.S., as the number of states with laws raising their minimum tobacco purchase age to 21 now covers over 50% of the U.S. population,” he wrote in a note.

Some states are upping the legal age to buy ciggies to 21. Generally if a person hasn’t smoked by that age they won’t in their lifetime. Pretty soon no one will smoke. It’s a dying habit.

with so many alternatives, if you still smoke, you deserve lung cancer.

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Philip Morris in merger talks with Altria; e-cigs at stakePhilip Morris International Inc and Altria Group Inc are discussing an all-stock... Instead of merger talks, they should stop production of unhealthy products. Now two producers of carcinogens might merge... what is the benefit for consumers and societies? Sure, why not e-cigs are killing young people. Cigarettes kill other people perfectly matched.
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Altria may have missed chance for merger of equalsThe tobacco giant is talking to Philip Morris, the international arm it spun off in 2008, about reuniting – a combo worth more than $200 billion. Both see their future in e-cigarettes. But Altria’s market cap was closer to equal last year. The ideal moment may have passed.
Source: Breakingviews - 🏆 470. / 51 Read more »

Philip Morris in merger talks with Altria; e-cigs at stakePhilip Morris International Inc and Altria Group Inc are discussing an all-stock... Instead of merger talks, they should stop production of unhealthy products. Now two producers of carcinogens might merge... what is the benefit for consumers and societies? Sure, why not e-cigs are killing young people. Cigarettes kill other people perfectly matched.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »