Phillip Morris or Altria or DEAD – same thing

Talk about a simple story. Legal sale of addictive drugs. Inelastic demand and amazing margins.

So simple that the company could move to the Nasdaq and change their symbol to DEAD and see no adverse effects.

So simple that I am too stupid not to have my whole investing portfolio in the damn stock.

That said, I will pass again and will always pass on MO. I don’t think you ever can go wrong owning Tobacco. Here’s why – LOBBYISTS and cash. Like the balance sheet of MO means anything. More like friendly government, MO uptrend, unfriendly government, MO stalls. So why do I always pass?

I am constantly reminded of a TOP TEN all-time scene in Defending Your Life. Albert Brooks is on trial for his life and the subject of investing comes up. Long story short, the flashback to his turning down an investment of Casio as start-up by saying to his friend: “The Swiss Keep Time”. Classic line, awesome flick.

MO is my Albert Brooks, my Cliff Claven, my Costanza. Why should I change now?

Truly though, I am so confident in lobbyists and the basic right for Americans to smoke and kill themselves that I should own the stock. Even so, I think this is one of those franchises you need to buy on excessive pessimism and unfriendly times and not pay up.

I am sure my friends over at Wallstrip the Conversation have lot’s more to say. The insight from the bloggers so far has been tremendous. Take the time and get to know them.

Disclosure – I don’t own MO and smoke (tobacco) rarely. When I do smoke, I don’t inhale :) .