New York, Jan 18, 2026, 14:51 (EST) — Market closed
- Philip Morris International (PM) climbed 0.6% Friday to $173.62, marking its seventh straight session of gains.
- The U.S. stock markets will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with trading set to resume Tuesday.
- Investors are gearing up for PMI’s upcoming results update in early February, while also watching closely for any U.S. regulatory moves on smoke-free products.
Philip Morris International Inc shares ended Friday at $173.62, rising 0.6% and marking their seventh consecutive day of gains ahead of the U.S. market’s long weekend. (StockAnalysis)
The timing is key since Wall Street will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, squeezing the first full earnings week into just four sessions. Liquidity tends to dry up, and minor news can pack a bigger punch than normal. (New York Stock Exchange)
Company-specific updates have been scarce lately, though a filing earlier this week drew focus on PMI’s U.S. strategy. On Jan. 15, Philip Morris submitted an 8-K that included a press release detailing its U.S. investments and job commitments. (SEC)
PMI reported it has poured over $20 billion into U.S.-related investments since 2022, with roughly $19 billion stemming from its Swedish Match acquisition. Beyond that deal, PMI U.S. has put an additional $1 billion into American manufacturing and operations. The company anticipates that projects across Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina will create upwards of 1,000 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect ones. “We’re investing in the country’s future, starting with accelerating the shift to a smoke-free America,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. (Business Wire)
The market angle is clear: traders remain focused on consistency. PMI’s drive into smoke-free products — nicotine pouches and heated tobacco — now anchors the equity story, with new U.S. investment language reinforcing that theme.
Regulators continue to hold sway. PMI noted that the U.S. release of its IQOS ILUMA product awaits FDA approval; the device heats tobacco rather than combusting it.
Investors keep an eye on FDA terms appearing in PMI disclosures. A “modified risk tobacco product” order lets companies market products with reduced exposure claims, pending FDA approval. Meanwhile, a “premarket tobacco product application” is the FDA’s mandatory review process for launching new tobacco items.
Competition lingers just beneath the surface—and it’s very real. Altria, British American Tobacco, and Japan Tobacco each hold U.S. nicotine stakes, and any price pressure on pouches or e-vapor can swiftly impact volumes or margins.
That streak could falter over something mundane. A regulatory delay in the U.S., a stricter tax or enforcement move, or even a disappointing update on smoke-free growth could quickly reveal how much real momentum the tape holds.
PMI will hold a webcast at 9:00 a.m. EST on Feb. 6 to discuss its 2025 Q4 and full-year results. The focus will be on 2026 guidance, U.S. investment plans, and any news on the launch timing of IQOS ILUMA. (Pmi)
