RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Altria Group Inc., parent of the biggest U.S. cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, should give investors a sense of whether its top-selling Marlboro brand can keep its command of the market when it releases fourth-quarter and year-end financial results before the stock market opens Thursday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The company continues to focus its efforts on building its premium Marlboro brand which has been under pressure from competitors and lower-priced cigarette brands as consumers face economic challenges and unemployment remains high.