Philip Morris International beat earnings and revenue expectations for the fourth quarter, leading to its shares jumping +1.9% early Thursday.
The tobacco & cigarette company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.25 per share, which exceeded analysts’ expected $1.17 per share. Revenues for the quarter were $7.5 billion, higher than analysts’ estimate of $7.4 billion.
However, the firm’s operating income and profits were lower compared to the year-ago quarter. Its cigarette and heated-tobacco-unit shipment fell -4.6% year over year. Revenues still increased from the year-ago period.
The company’s projected earnings for 2019 is $5.37 a share – which represents around +5.7% growth. Analysts are expecting earnings of $5.29 a share.
Philip Morris CEO André Calantzopoulos indicated that the company is hopeful about its combustible tobacco business and “reduced-risk products” as key drivers of the firm's long-term growth.