NEW YORK — December 24, 2025: Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) ended the holiday-shortened Christmas Eve session modestly higher and then ticked up again in limited after-hours trading, as income-focused investors and options traders honed in on one near-term catalyst that matters most right now: Altria’s next dividend goes ex-dividend on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. [1]
Below is what moved Altria stock today, what the market is watching, and what investors should understand before the next U.S. stock market open (Friday, Dec. 26, 2025)—because U.S. exchanges are closed on Thursday, Dec. 25 for Christmas Day. [2]
Altria stock price today: early close, modest gain, then a small after-hours uptick
Because it was Christmas Eve, U.S. equity markets ran on an early close schedule—with the NYSE and Nasdaq closing at 1:00 p.m. ET. [3]
- Regular session (Dec. 24): MO closed at $58.98, up about 0.39% on the day, after trading roughly between $58.68 and $58.99. Trading volume was about 5.0 million shares, reflecting the typical “thin liquidity” feel of a holiday session. [4]
- After hours (as of ~5:00 p.m. ET): MO was quoted around $59.09, up about $0.11 (+0.19%) from the regular close, according to retail-broker after-hours data. [5]
One important nuance for tonight’s read: on an early-close day, after-hours liquidity can be even thinner than usual, so small prints can move quotes more than investors may expect on a normal full session. [6]
The biggest “tomorrow” issue: the market is closed Dec. 25—next open is Dec. 26 (and that’s Altria’s ex-dividend date)
If you’re looking ahead to “tomorrow,” the key calendar reality is:
- Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025: U.S. markets closed for Christmas Day. [7]
- Friday, Dec. 26, 2025: markets reopen for a full session (per exchange statements and reporting), and Altria trades ex-dividend that day. [8]
This setup matters because in the U.S., the ex-dividend date is the line that determines who gets the upcoming payout:
- If you buy on or after the ex-dividend date (Dec. 26), you typically do not receive the next dividend.
- To be eligible, you generally need to own the shares before the ex-dividend date—meaning the last session to establish a position before ex-div was today (Dec. 24), since Dec. 25 is a market holiday. [9]
Dividend spotlight: $1.06 quarterly payout, payable Jan. 9, 2026
Altria’s dividend is front and center for a reason: it’s one of the highest-profile income yields in large-cap U.S. equities.
Altria confirmed earlier this month that its board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable Jan. 9, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Dec. 26, 2025 (with ex-dividend date Dec. 26). [10]
What that means in plain English before the next open:
- Dividend amount: $1.06 per share (quarterly) [11]
- Ex-dividend date: Dec. 26, 2025 [12]
- Payment date: Jan. 9, 2026 [13]
A widely cited rule of thumb: on the morning a stock goes ex-dividend, the share price often adjusts downward by roughly the dividend amount, all else equal (though real-world price action depends on overall market conditions and sentiment). Dividend-focused coverage today specifically flagged that MO could open lower on Dec. 26 by an amount roughly consistent with the dividend impact. [14]
This is why you may see “dividend deadline” positioning and volatility around Dec. 26—especially in a high-yield name like Altria.
Today’s notable signal: a sharp spike in call options volume
One of the more unusual data points published during today’s session was abnormally high call option activity in MO.
MarketBeat reported that traders bought roughly 129,220 call options, a jump of about 278% versus average daily call volume, flagging the activity as “unusually large.” [15]
Why options volume can jump around ex-dividend dates
A spike like this can mean several (very different) things:
- Bullish positioning into year-end or into a known catalyst (like ex-dividend trading dynamics).
- Covered-call activity from income investors—common in high-yield stocks—where shareholders sell calls against stock they already own.
- Hedging and roll activity (especially into late December, when liquidity can be patchy and positioning is adjusted for the new year).
Bottom line: it’s a “watch” item, not a standalone directional signal. But in a quiet holiday session, an options surge stands out because it may hint at positioning ahead of the next full trading day.
The regulatory catalyst still in focus: FDA authorization for on! PLUS nicotine pouches
Even though it didn’t break today, the most consequential recent headline for Altria’s “smoke-free” narrative remains the FDA’s decision last week.
Reuters reported that the U.S. FDA granted market authorization for six on! PLUS nicotine pouch products, the first authorization under a pilot program meant to speed review of such products. The authorization covers mint, tobacco, and wintergreen varieties in 6 mg and 9 mg strengths, manufactured by Helix Innovations LLC, an Altria joint venture. [16]
Why this matters for MO stock going into the next open:
- Nicotine pouches are one of the fastest-growing categories in tobacco alternatives, and regulatory authorization can improve the durability of a product franchise in a heavily regulated industry. [17]
- It also reinforces Altria’s messaging that it’s expanding beyond combustibles, even as cigarette volumes structurally decline.
Investors will likely keep monitoring whether Altria can translate authorization into measurable volume and share gains against the dominant pouch brands in the U.S.
What Altria has told investors recently: earnings range, buybacks, and “shareholder returns” emphasis
While today’s trade was more about calendar mechanics and positioning, Altria’s most recent company-level financial framework still sets the context.
In its Oct. 30, 2025 update, Altria:
- Narrowed/raised its 2025 adjusted diluted EPS expectations to a range of $5.37 to $5.45. [18]
- Highlighted that the board authorized expansion of the existing share repurchase program from $1 billion to $2 billion, now expiring Dec. 31, 2026. [19]
- Reiterated its shareholder return posture (dividends plus buybacks) as a core part of the equity story. [20]
That “returns first” framing is a big reason MO often trades like a bond proxy / defensive income stock, especially when markets get jittery.
Wall Street forecasts: “Hold” consensus, targets clustered in the low $60s
On the sell-side view, today’s publicly circulated analyst snapshots remain broadly cautious:
- MarketBeat data cited an average analyst rating around “Hold” with an average price target near $62.33, with a mix of Buy/Hold/Sell ratings. [21]
- Other market data providers show targets in a similar zone (generally low $60s), reflecting the idea that MO is often valued more for yield and cash flow durability than for high growth. [22]
In other words: the Street’s base case tends to be “income + modest upside,” but with ongoing regulatory and category-transition risks.
Broader market context today: record highs on light holiday volume
Altria’s small move also happened against a market backdrop that was unusually calm and positive. U.S. stocks drifted higher in the shortened session, with major indexes pushing further into record territory, and trading volume unusually light—typical for Christmas Eve. [23]
For MO specifically, the macro takeaway is simple:
- When the market is “risk-on” and chasing growth, high-yield defensives can lag.
- When the market is uncertain, cash-flow-heavy dividend payers often regain favor.
What to know before the next market open on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025
Here’s a practical checklist for MO shareholders and watchers heading into the next session:
1) Expect ex-dividend mechanics to influence the open
Altria goes ex-dividend Dec. 26. All else equal, many stocks see a downward adjustment around the dividend amount at the open on the ex-div date—though real trading outcomes vary. [24]
2) Watch for unusual price action driven by thin liquidity
Holiday weeks can create outsized moves from modest order flow, especially pre-market and early session on the first full day back. (This can cut both ways.)
3) Keep an eye on options positioning unwinds or follow-through
Today’s call volume spike could unwind quickly, or it could foreshadow more active trading into year-end. [25]
4) The “smoke-free” narrative is still headline-sensitive
Any follow-up developments tied to:
- FDA actions (authorizations, enforcement, guidance), and
- competitive dynamics in nicotine pouches
can matter disproportionately, because they shape the long-term transition story. [26]
5) Next major fundamental catalyst: late January earnings window
Several earnings calendars currently peg Altria’s next report around Jan. 29, 2026 (often listed as an estimate until confirmed). That’s the next moment when guidance, category trends, and capital return plans could be re-priced. [27]
The bottom line on Altria stock tonight
Altria (MO) didn’t deliver a dramatic Christmas Eve move—and that’s not surprising in a holiday-shortened session. But the setup into the next open is unusually clear:
- The stock is trading primarily on income and calendar dynamics right now (ex-dividend on Dec. 26). [28]
- Options traders showed up in size today, suggesting at least some investors are positioning more actively than the quiet tape would imply. [29]
- The more strategic debate—how quickly Altria can scale authorized smoke-free products—remains the longer-term driver under the surface, supported by the FDA authorization for on! PLUS pouches reported last week. [30]
As always with individual stocks: dividends and defensive qualities don’t eliminate risk. Regulatory headlines, category disruption, and litigation remain part of the MO story—so any “overnight certainty” implied by a quiet after-hours quote can change fast once full liquidity returns.
References
1. public.com, 2. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 3. www.nyse.com, 4. stockanalysis.com, 5. public.com, 6. www.nyse.com, 7. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. investor.altria.com, 10. investor.altria.com, 11. investor.altria.com, 12. investor.altria.com, 13. investor.altria.com, 14. www.nasdaq.com, 15. www.marketbeat.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. investor.altria.com, 19. investor.altria.com, 20. investor.altria.com, 21. www.marketbeat.com, 22. www.marketwatch.com, 23. apnews.com, 24. investor.altria.com, 25. www.marketbeat.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.marketbeat.com, 28. investor.altria.com, 29. www.marketbeat.com, 30. www.reuters.com
