Diageo plc vs Altria Group Inc — how do they compare? Diageo plc trades at $81.21 (market cap $45.41B), while Altria Group Inc trades at $70.25 (market cap $117.16B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc is far larger — about 2.6× Diageo plc's market cap, and Altria Group Inc pays the higher dividend (6.04%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DEO | MO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $45.41B | $117.16B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $115.33 | $74.55 |
52-Week Low | $72.47 | $54.72 |
Enterprise Value | $66.23B | $138.23B |
Dividend Yield | 4.02% | 6.04% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
MO trades at $71.87, up 0.14% today, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported a net income margin of 39.52% for 2025, with recent earnings beating expectations in Q1 2026. Strong cash flow from operations of $9.29B supports its dividend, with a recent $1.06 payment declared. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $71.00 price target.
Outlook remains stable with defensive qualities highlighted by media, but risks include high debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers a high yield and pricing power, though revenue trends show slight volatility. Investment appeal centers on dividend sustainability and cash flow generation amid a challenging industry backdrop.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
Read more on MO →