Philip Morris Gains 0.71% on Strong Q2 Results and VEEV Growth as $760M Volume Ranks 135th in Liquidity

On August 5, 2025, Philip Morris International (PM) rose 0.71% with a trading volume of $760 million, ranking 135th in daily liquidity. The company recently reported strong second-quarter results, raising full-year guidance after a 26.6% year-over-year increase in reported diluted EPS to $1.95. Executive management highlighted progress in smoke-free alternatives, including the expansion of the VEEV e-vapor brand, which saw shipment volumes more than double in Q2 2025. Europe remains a key growth driver, with VEEV securing the top closed-pod position in six markets.

Philip Morris also announced a $1.35 per share quarterly dividend, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns. A KPMG study revealed illicit cigarette consumption in the EU reached 38.9 billion units in 2024, the highest since 2015, prompting calls for stricter regulatory action. The company emphasized its smoke-free vision through a new integrated report detailing advancements in product innovation and sustainability, aligning with its long-term strategy to reduce reliance on combustible products.

Performance backtesting indicates a 166.71% return from 2022 to present for a strategy targeting the top 500 stocks by volume, significantly outpacing the 29.18% benchmark. This highlights the potential of liquidity-driven momentum strategies in capturing short-term market gains.