The company would not explain why it is raising prices, the first increase since October, said the report.
The higher prices are within "the normal range" expected this year, [image-nocss] Thilo Wrede, an analyst for New York City-based Credit Suisse wrote in a research note to clients earlier this week.
Marlboro shipments rose 1.6% to 29.6 billion cigarettes last quarter, while the brand increased its U.S. market share by 0.3 percentage point to a record 42.7%, Altria said April 21. Its overall cigarette market share slipped 0.7 point to 50.2%.
The list price for Marlboro, the price the company sells the cigarettes to its wholesalers for, will go up to $3.70 a pack from $3.62 a pack, added a Dow Jones report.
The average price of a pack of Marlboro in convenience stores was $5.42 in the first quarter, Sylvia told Bloomberg.
Altria directly or indirectly owns 100% of each of PM USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., John Middleton, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Philip Morris Capital Corp. PM USA cigarette brands include Marlboro, Alpine, Basic, Benson & Hedges, Bristol, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Commander, Dave's, English Ovals, Lark, L&M, Merit, Parliament, Players, Saratoga and Virginia Slims.. Moist smokeless tobacco brands include Copenhagen, Cope, Copenhagen Pouches, Skoal, Skoal Bandits, Skoal Pouches, Red Seal and Husky. Cigar brands include Black & Mild, Middleton's, Gold & Mild and Prince Alberts.
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