Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) and Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) are North America’s two largest producers and marketers of tobacco products. The two companies are high dividend yielding, defensive, consumer-oriented stocks that are extensively owned by dividend-oriented mutual funds, institutional investors and individual investors. Both companies have sold or spun off international operations to focus solely on the North American market. Despite an environment of lawsuits, increasing government regulation, excise taxes and advertising campaigns designed to reduce smoking, both companies continue to grow sales and dividends.
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Source: Investopedia