Superior market positions and strong brands across multiple segments within the U.S. tobacco industry; Strong cash flow generation with solid operating margins; Increasingly diversified product portfolio following UST Inc. acquisition; and SABMiller equity stake provides financial flexibility. Exposure to contracting domestic cigarette industry; High legal and regulatory risks; and Minimal geographic diversity outside of the U.S. The ratings on Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc. reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' view that the company will maintain a "satisfactory" business risk profile (as our criteria define the term), which is based on Altria's continuing superior market positions in the mature U.S. cigarette and the growing smokeless tobacco categories, and our expectation its operating efficiency will remain strong. Our business risk assessment
