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Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Investment, Policy | Altria accounts for its investments in ABI and Cronos under the equity method of accounting using a one-quarter lag. Altria accounts for its equity investment in JUUL under the fair value option.
Basis of Presentation, Policy | The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Altria are unaudited. It is the opinion of Altria’s management that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented have been reflected in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Net revenues and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy | On January 1, 2021, Altria adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU No. 2019-12”). This guidance removes certain exceptions for investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. The adoption of ASU No. 2019-12 did not have a material impact on Altria’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Additionally, on January 1, 2021, Altria adopted ASU No. 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (“ASU No. 2020-01”). This guidance provides clarification of the interaction of rules for equity securities, the equity method of accounting, and forward contracts and purchase options on certain types of securities. The adoption of ASU No. 2020-01 did not have a material impact on Altria’s condensed consolidated financial statements. For a description of issued accounting guidance applicable to, but not yet adopted by, Altria, see Note 13. New Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted.
Standards | Description | Effective Date for Public Entity | Effect on Financial Statements
ASU 2020-06 Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity | The guidance simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Key provisions of the guidance include reducing the number of accounting models, simplifying the earnings per share calculations and expanding the disclosures related to convertible instruments. | The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2021. | Altria’s adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Cash Discounts | In 2020, a majority of Altria’s businesses offered cash discounts to customers for prompt payment and calculated cash discounts as a percentage of the list price based on historical experience and agreed-upon payment terms. Beginning in the first quarter of 2021 for USSTC and the third quarter of 2021 for PM USA, cash discounts were calculated as a flat rate per unit, based on agreed-upon payment terms. Altria’s businesses record receivables net of the cash discounts on Altria’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Equity Method Investments | Altria accounts for its investment in ABI under the equity method of accounting because Altria has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of ABI, including having active representation on ABI’s board of directors and certain ABI board committees. Through this representation, Altria participates in ABI policy making processes. Altria reports its share of ABI’s results using a one-quarter lag because ABI’s results are not available in time for Altria to record them in the concurrent period. The fair value of Altria’s equity investment in ABI is based on (i) unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for ABI’s ordinary shares and was classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and (ii) observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets for the Restricted Shares, and was classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Altria can convert its Restricted Shares to ordinary shares at its discretion. Therefore, the fair value of each Restricted Share is based on the value of an ordinary share. In October 2019, the fair value of Altria’s equity investment in ABI declined below its carrying value and has not recovered. At December 31, 2020, the fair value of Altria’s equity investment in ABI was $13.8 billion (carrying value of $16.7 billion), which was less than its carrying value by approximately 17%. In preparing its financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2020, Altria evaluated the factors related to the fair value decline, including the impact on the fair value of ABI’s shares during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively impacted ABI’s business. Altria evaluated the duration and magnitude of the fair value decline, ABI’s financial condition and near-term prospects and Altria’s intent and ability to hold its investment in ABI until recovery. Altria concluded that the decline in fair value of its investment in ABI at December 31, 2020 below its carrying value was temporary and, therefore, no impairment was recorded at that time.Following the consideration of the same factors, Altria, in preparing its financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2021, concluded that the decline in fair value of its investment in ABI at September 30, 2021 was other than temporary. As a result, Altria recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $6.2 billion for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2021, which was recorded to income (losses) from equity investments in its condensed consolidated statements of earnings (losses). This impairment charge reflects the difference between the fair value of Altria’s investment in ABI using ABI’s share price at September 30, 2021 and the carrying value of Altria’s equity investment in ABI at September 30, 2021. Altria continues to have confidence in ABI’s (i) long-term strategies, (ii) premium global brands, (iii) experienced management team and (iv) capability to successfully navigate its near-term challenges. Altria further expects that the impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic that have negatively impacted ABI’s global business are transitory, but now also anticipates that the full recovery to carrying value will take longer than previously expected. This is evidenced by the resumption of declines in fair value during the third quarter of 2021, following positive share price momentum during the first half of 2021. At September 30, 2021, prior to recording the impairment charge, the fair value of Altria’s investment in ABI was below the carrying value by approximately 35%, which represents an additional 18% reduction in ABI’s share price since December 31, 2020. The fair value of Altria’s equity method investment in Cronos is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for Cronos’s common shares and was classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. In September 2021, the fair value of Altria’s equity method investment in Cronos declined below its carrying value.
Environmental Regulation | Altria and its subsidiaries (and former subsidiaries) are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise related to environmental protection, including, in the U.S.: the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (commonly known as “Superfund”), which can impose joint and several liability on each responsible party. Subsidiaries (and former subsidiaries) of Altria are involved in several matters subjecting them to potential costs of remediation and natural resource damages under Superfund or other laws and regulations. Altria’s subsidiaries expect to continue to make capital and other expenditures in connection with environmental laws and regulations.Altria provides for expenses associated with environmental remediation obligations on an undiscounted basis when such amounts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change.

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