Analyst Lisa Lewandowski of Bank of America Securities maintained a Buy rating on Philip Morris (PM – Research Report), retaining the price target of $143.00.
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Lisa Lewandowski’s rating is based on Philip Morris’s strong financial performance and growth outlook. The company reported a solid fourth-quarter performance, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) exceeding expectations, driven by significant growth in both combustible and smoke-free product sales. Additionally, the company’s operating income and profit margins showed impressive improvements, reflecting efficient cost management and revenue growth.
Looking ahead, Philip Morris has provided optimistic guidance for 2025, projecting a 7-9% increase in adjusted EPS, or even higher when excluding foreign exchange impacts. The company’s strategic focus on expanding its smoke-free product offerings aligns with global trends toward reduced-risk products, further strengthening its growth prospects. This commitment to innovation, along with a focus on shareholder returns, underpins Lisa Lewandowski’s Buy rating for the stock.
In another report released yesterday, Stifel Nicolaus also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $145.00 price target.
PM’s price has also changed moderately for the past six months – from $114.200 to $145.320, which is a 27.25% increase.