Altria Group

Investors ran for cover Tuesday on news that the New York-based Conference Board now predicts that China's economic growth will slow considerably. The Shanghai Composite Index plunged 4.3% while the Hang Seng fell 2.3%.

The Supreme Court will not weigh in on seven tobacco industry appeals. But by passing on the cases, the justices gave a big boost to the tobacco industry, which is safe from the threat of having to pay the government $280 billion.

Are the markets sending you racing for a defensive strategy? Peter Newell, managing director at Vontobel Asset Management, has a stock-picking approach that guards against calamities.

The following is a round-up of news likely to affect stock prices today: Apple (AAPL) posted late Tuesday a 90% jump in quarterly profit on 49% revenue growth. Apple said its earnings per share were $3.33 on revenue of $13.5 billion for its fiscal second quarter. This far exceeded Wall Street's...

Vudu. JooJoo. Boorah. It almost seems as if companies randomly pick names out of a hat. But you would be surprised at how much actual thought (and money) goes into the process of dubbing a tobacco maker 'Altria' or an instant coffee 'Via.'

A new nationwide poll finds that two-thirds of U.S. voters support a $1 increase in tobacco taxes per pack. The tax could raise more than $9.1 billion in new annual revenue for states, says the report released by a coalition of public health organizations claims.

Smoking is a noxious habit but that doesn't mean investors should turn up their noses at Altria Group. The leading U.S. tobacco maker is gaining market share, its stock looks cheap and -- perhaps best of all -- the dividend is both rich and reliable.