Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.
Background and Basis of Presentation:

Background: Altria Group, Inc. (“ALG”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Philip Morris USA Inc. (“PM USA”), Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”) and its majority-owned (84.6%) subsidiary, Kraft Foods Inc. (“Kraft”), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of various consumer products, including cigarettes, packaged grocery products, snacks, beverages, cheese and convenient meals. Philip Morris Capital Corporation (“PMCC”), another wholly-owned subsidiary, is primarily engaged in leasing activities. During 2003, PMCC shifted its strategic focus from an emphasis on the growth of its portfolio of finance leases through new investments to one of maximizing investment gains and generating cash flows from its existing portfolio of leased assets. ALG’s former wholly-owned subsidiary, Miller Brewing Company (“Miller”), was engaged in the manufacture and sale of various beer products prior to the merger of Miller into South African Breweries plc (“SAB”) on July 9, 2002 (see Note 3. Miller Brewing Company Transaction).  Throughout these financial statements, the term “Altria Group, Inc.” refers to the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Altria family of companies and the term “ALG” refers solely to the parent company. ALG’s access to the operating cash flows of its subsidiaries is comprised of cash received from the payment of dividends and interest, and the repayment of amounts borrowed from ALG by its subsidiaries.

Basis of presentation: The consolidated financial statements include ALG, as well as its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in which ALG exercises significant influence (20%-50% ownership interest), are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Investments in which ALG has an ownership interest of less than 20%, or does not exercise significant influence, are accounted for with the cost method of accounting.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions include, among other things, pension and benefit plan assumptions, income taxes, and the allowance for loan losses and estimated residual values of finance leases. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Balance sheet accounts are segregated by two broad types of business.  Consumer products assets and liabilities are classified as either current or non-current, whereas financial services assets and liabilities are unclassified, in accordance with respective industry practices.

Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation, due primarily to the disclosure of more detailed information on the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows.