altria group

Altria Group Inc., which owns the No. 1 U.S. cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, reported that profit fell 67 percent from a year ago, when results included its overseas operations.

But earnings from continuing operations rose 15 percent.

Altria Group said Thursday its third-quarter profit fell 67 percent from a year ago, when results included the Philip Morris International business.

Altria Group Inc., owner of Philip Morris USA, plans to buy UST Inc., the maker of Skoal and Copenhagen, for $10.4 billion to boost its ability to sell smokeless tobacco products.

Altria Group Inc. said Monday it will buy UST Inc. for nearly $10 billion in a deal that will give the maker of Marlboro cigarettes access to the smokeless tobacco market with the Skoal and Copenhagen brands.

After failing to grab much consumer attention for its own smokeless tobacco products, Altria Group said Monday it would buy the maker of Skoal and Copenhagen for about $10.3 billion.

After failing to grab much consumer attention for its own smokeless tobacco products, Altria Group said Monday it would buy the maker of Skoal and Copenhagen for about $10.3 billion.

WHAT THE COMPANIES SAY: Altria Group, which owns Marlboro-maker Philip Morris USA, called a New York Times report that it would buy rival UST Inc. for more than $10 billion "pure speculation." UST declined to comment.

Altria Group, which owns Marlboro-maker Philip Morris USA, said Friday that a report of its impending acquisition of UST was "pure speculation." Analysts said the deal makes perfect sense.

SankDisk (Nasdaq: SNDK) 27.3% HIGHER; issued a statement in response to rumors, Samsung Electronics is looking to acquire the company.

The company said, "SanDisk periodically has conversations with multiple parties, including Samsung." UST (NYSE: UST) 22.5% HIGHER; Altria Group (NYSE: MO) in in advanced talks to buy UST, people with close knowledge of the negotiations said.

Terms of a deal could not be learned. SiRF Technology Holdings Inc.

• According to reports from the New York Times, Altria Group (NYSE: MO) in in advanced talks to buy UST (NYSE: UST), people with close knowledge of the negotiations said.
  
  Terms of a deal could not be learned. The article notes the deal could still fall apart, and would be Altria’s first major move since splitting off Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) in March.
• SankDisk (Nasdaq: SNDK) issued a statement in response to rumors, Samsung Electronics is looking to acquire the company.