Like many stocks in 2022, shares of tobacco company Altria Group (NYSE: MO) haven't done well. Unlike many of those same stocks, Altria stock hasn't done well over the past five years. It's down 9% over that timeframe, even when factoring in its steady (and rather large) dividend. Combine that underwhelming performance with the social stigma around cigarettes -- Altria's core business -- and you have the negative sentiment that makes it hard to tempt most investors.

But the situation is not as bad as it appears on the surface. Yes, Altria has had a rough few years that were marred by expensive acquisitions that flopped. Still, this stock has more staying power than you might think. Here are three reasons the company isn't going anywhere, and the stock could be a solid investment.

Altria's struggles in recent years aren't a secret. The company wasted billions on electronic-cigarette maker Juul and has broken off its relationship with sister company Philip Morris International, losing Iqos exposure in the U.S. market. This series of events explains the stock's sliding share price: It peaked near $75 in 2017 and has mostly been agony for investors ever since.

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Source Fool.com