Altria Completes UST Deal

The Marlboro maker, who recently spun off Phillip Morris International (NYSE:PM) and Kraft (NYSE:KFT) to shareholders is now a leader in the smokless catagory.

 Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) (NYSE: MO) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of UST Inc. (UST). The transaction is valued at approximately $11.7 billion, which includes the assumption of approximately $1.3 billion of debt.

As a result of the closing of the transaction, shareholders of UST common stock are entitled to receive $69.50 per share in cash for each share of common stock held as of today, January 6, 2009. Additionally, UST common stock no longer trades on the New York Stock Exchange.

Registered UST shareholders will receive information from Computershare, the paying agent, regarding the cash payment for their shares of UST common stock. For additional information, registered shareholders should contact Computershare by phone at 1-866-963-6134. Registered shareholders outside the U.S. and Canada should call 1-781-575-2754.

UST shareholders who held shares of common stock through a broker or bank will receive information directly from their broker or bank regarding the cash payment for their shares of UST common stock. For additional information, these shareholders should contact their broker or bank directly.