BW20030226002079  20030226T150347Z UTC


( BW)(ALTRIA-GROUP)(MOP) Altria Group, Inc. Declares Regular
Quarterly Dividend of $0.64 Per Share and Announces New Share
Repurchase Program

    Business Editors
    UK REGULATORY NEWS

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2003--

    The Board of Directors of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) today
declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.64 per common share,
payable on April 9, 2003, to stockholders of record as of March 14,
2003. The ex-dividend date is March 12, 2003.

    Separately, the company's Board of Directors announced a new
one-year share repurchase program of up to $3.0 billion. The company
expects to complete its current three-year $10 billion share
repurchase program in the first quarter of 2003. That program was
announced in February 2001. The new program will begin after the
current program is completed and will run through February 2004.

    "We remain committed to enhancing shareholder value through both
dividends and share repurchases over the long term," said Louis C.
Camilleri, chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "Today's
action by the board reflects a prudent approach that provides
flexibility to respond to changing developments, including the
possible adoption of the Administration's proposal to end the double
taxation of dividends."

    Altria Group, Inc. is the parent company of Kraft Foods Inc., with
approximately 84% ownership of outstanding Kraft common shares, Philip
Morris Capital Corporation, Philip Morris International Inc. and
Philip Morris USA Inc. In addition, Altria Group, Inc. has a 36%
economic interest in SABMiller plc, the world's second-largest brewer.
The brand portfolio of Altria Group, Inc.'s consumer packaged goods
companies includes such well-known names as Kraft, Jacobs, L&M,
Marlboro, Maxwell House, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Parliament,
Philadelphia, Post and Virginia Slims. Altria Group, Inc. recorded
2002 net revenues of approximately $80 billion.

    For more information about Altria Group, Inc., please visit the
company's web site at www.altria.com.

   Short Name: Altria Group Inc
   Category Code: DIV
   Sequence Number: 00002303
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20030226T135335+0000

    --30--SDG/ny* ac/uk

    CONTACT: Altria Group, Inc., New York
             Nicholas M. Rolli, 917/663-3460
             Timothy R. Kellogg, 917/663-2759

    KEYWORD: UNITED KINGDOM EUROPE NEW YORK
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL FOODS/BEVERAGES MANUFACTURING DIVIDEND
    SOURCE: Altria Group Inc


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