In this article, we are going to discuss the top 5 most valuable tobacco companies in the world. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global tobacco market, the effect of taxes on smoking, and the heavy investments in marketing by tobacco companies, head to Top 20 Most Valuable Tobacco Companies in the World.
5. Japan Tobacco Inc.
Market Cap: $46.65 billion
JTI is a global vaping and tobacco company with sales in over 130 countries. The Tokyo-based firm makes some of the world’s best-known brands, including Winston, Mevius, Camel, and LD. It was recently announced that Japan Tobacco Inc. has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific) for the ninth consecutive year, reflecting the company’s continued approach to addressing social and environmental issues across its value chain.
4. ITC Limited
Market Cap: $61.96 billion
Headquartered in Kolkata, ITC was established in 1910 as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited. The company is the market leader in cigarettes in the South Asian country, with an expansive portfolio of brands including Insignia, India Kings, Classic, Gold Flake, American Club, Wills Navy Cut, Players, Scissors, Capstan, Berkeley, Bristol, Flake, Silk Cut, and Duke & Royal. ITC Limited reported a revenue of over $8.4 billion in its last financial year that ended on the 30th of March 2023, and sits among the 5 Major Tobacco Companies in the World.
3. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI)
Market Cap: $68.05 billion
The London-based British American Tobacco is a leading multi-category consumer goods company that provides tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world. Founded in 1902, BAT employs more than 53,000 people worldwide, operates in over 180 markets, and has factories in more than 40 countries.
Shares of BAT tumbled in December 2023 after the Camel and American Spirit cigarettes owner took an impairment charge of about $31.5 billion, mainly due to its struggling U.S. cigarette brands with the number of people who smoke in sharp decline.
2. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)
Market Cap: $72.43 billion
Founded in 1985, Altria Group is a Virginia-based corporation and one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of tobacco, cigarettes, and related products. The Fortune 200 company is leading the way in moving adult smokers away from cigarettes by taking action to transition millions toward potentially less harmful choices. Altria’s portfolio of smoke-free offerings and investments includes leading products across heat-not-burn, moist smokeless tobacco, oral nicotine pouches, and E-vapor.
1. Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM)
Market Cap: $142.42 billion
With a presence in over 180 markets, Philip Morris International is the Most Valuable Tobacco Company in the World. The company is headquartered in New York, but is also based operationally in Switzerland and Hong Kong. PMI earned a massive revenue of over $31.7 billion in 2022, with a net profit of over $9 billion.
Philip Morris International’s product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heated tobacco, e-vapor, and oral smokeless products. As of September 30th 2023, 36.2% of the company’s total net revenues came from its smoke-free offerings.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 25 Most Cannabis Consuming Countries in the World and Alcohol Consumption by Country: 25 Countries with the Highest Alcohol Consumption per Capita.