Altria, PMI end merger talks

Altria Group and Philip Morris International ended talks to recombine the companies that were separated in 2008, with Richmond, Va.based Altria stating they remained apart on transaction terms.

Altria brands include Marlboro cigarettes, Skoal and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco and Chateau St. Michelle and Stag’s Leap wines.

Altria announced the departure of the CEO of Juul, in which Altria holds a 35 percent stake, after several deaths from mystery illnesses linked to vaping.