Earlier today, cigarette manufacturer and marketer Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results, benefiting from price increases in some markets. Earnings per share came in at 93 cents, 3 cents above the Zacks Consensus Estimate. On a year-over-year basis, Philip Morris’ earnings per share was flat (excluding a tax benefit of 8 cents in 2008), while net revenues declined 4.6% to $16.6 billion, attributable to unfavorable currency translations and weak results in the European Union (EU), Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa (EEMA) markets. Revenue, Volumes & Margins On an organic basis (excluding currency and acquisitions), revenues increased 4.1% driven by favorable pricing. Cigarette volume was down almost 3% year-over-year to 219.3 billion units, mainly because of declines in EU, EEMA and Asia. The first two regions were adversely affected by the economic crisis (especially in Spain and Ukraine) and unfavorable comparisons ...

Philip Morris International (PMI) entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of privately owned Colombian cigarette manufacturer Productora Tabacalera de Colombia, Protabaco Ltda. (Protabaco), for $452 million. Protabaco is the second largest tobacco company in Colombia, with an estimated volume of 6.1 billion cigarettes and an approximate market share of 31.8% in 2008, with leading brands such as Mustang, Premier and President. The acquisition is believed to be a strategic business fit, in order to build on the company’s business in Columbia. The deal is expected to be marginally accretive to PM’s earnings and is expected to close in the second half of 2009. However, final approvals are still pending. In 2005, the company had acquired another Columbian company, Compañía Colombiana de Tabaco S.A. (Coltabaco). In addition, with increasing regulation over tobacco, there has been a shift towards smoke free tobacco products ...

Right now investors are fleeing safe-haven assets like U.S. Treasuries and the dollar. And they’re putting the capital back to work in the riskiest of investments - emerging markets and IPOs.

Hard to believe. But here’s the proof…

In the first week of May, $4 billion found its way back into emerging markets funds - the eighth-largest weekly inflow on record, according to Merrill Lynch. And year-to-date the FTSE Renaissance IPO Composite Index is up 17.5%, torching the impressive 7.3% run-up by the Nasdaq.

If you ask me, that’s pretty convincing: Our appetite for risk is back. And the current rally could very well continue.

Of course, I know some of you feel otherwise. You’re afraid of a George Costanza shrinkage incident and would rather tiptoe back into equities. If that’s the case, let me share some information about the stock Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO), because I’m convinced it will head

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Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO): Five Reasons This Stock Will Smoke The Markets

by Louis Basenese, Advisory Panelist Senior Analyst, The Oxford Club

Right now investors are fleeing safe-haven assets like U.S. Treasuries and the dollar. And they’re putting the capital back to work in the riskiest of investments - emerging markets and IPOs.

Hard to believe. But here’s the proof…

In the first week of May, $4 billion found its way back into emerging markets funds - the eighth-largest weekly inflow on record, according to Merrill Lynch. And year-to-date the FTSE Renaissance IPO Composite Index is up 17.5%, torching the impressive 7.3% run-up by the Nasdaq.

If you ask me, that’s pretty convincing: Our appetite for risk is back. And the current rally could very well continue.

Of course, I know some of you feel otherwise. You’re afraid of a George Costanza shrinkage incident and would rather tiptoe back into equities.

...

Lone Pine CapitalLone Pine Capital & Stephen Mendel - HoldingsThis post is being written as part of HedgeFundBlogger.com's Investment Securities Tool which analyzes the holdings of hedge fund managers.Lone Pine Capital, managed by Stephen Mandel Jr. Lone Pine is an $8 Billion fund that has returned over 25% annually ever since its inception in 1997. Why is Mandel worth following you might ask? Well, he served as a consumer/retail analyst for Tiger Management back in the day for legendary investor Julian Robertson. Robertson's proteges/right-hand men have been nicknamed the "Tiger Cubs" and many have started their own funds. So, not only has Mandel learned from one of the best, but he has put up some very solid returns himself. Mandel is well versed in the ...