Altria Halts IQOS Expansion After British American Tobacco Wins Patent Infringement Ruling

Altria (NYSE: MO) just handily beat analysts' earnings expectations, but did the tobacco company's main growth driver just get stubbed out?

The IQOS heated tobacco electronic cigarette is embroiled in a patent infringement case that Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) just lost, which is leading Altria to put its planned national rollout of the device on hold. Because e-cigs are likely where the future of smoking is heading internationally, Altria may find its own growth ambitions in ashes.

Image Source: Getty Images.

Source Fool.com