Altria Group Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. For the quarter, the company reported net revenues of $6,129 million, operating income of $1,356 million, earnings before income taxes of $1,183 million, net earnings attributable to the company of $836 million, or $0.41 basic and diluted per share as compared to net revenues of $5,927 million, operating income of $1,493 million, earnings before income taxes of $1,407 million, net earnings attributable to the company of $919 million, or $0.44 basic and diluted per share for the same period a year ago. Net earnings adjusted for special was $1,030 million, or $0.50 adjusted EPS compared to $916 million, or $0.44 adjusted EPS a year ago. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the company reported net revenues of $23,800 million, operating income of $6,068 million, earnings before income taxes of $5,582 million, net earnings attributable to the company of $3,390 million, or $1.64 basic and diluted per share as compared to net revenues of $24,363 million, operating income of $6,228 million, earnings before income taxes of $5,723 million, net earnings attributable to the company of $3,905 million, or $1.87 basic and diluted per share for the same period a year ago. Net earnings adjusted for special was $4,243 million, or $2.05 adjusted EPS compared to $3,975 million, or $1.90 adjusted EPS a year ago. The company provided earnings guidance for the year 2012. The company forecasts that 2012 full-year reported diluted EPS will be in the range of $2.14 to $2.20, and 2012 full-year adjusted diluted EPS will be in the range of $2.17 to $2.23, representing a growth rate of 6% to 9% from an adjusted base of $2.05 in 2011. The company's board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per common share, payable on April 10, 2012, to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2012. The ex-dividend date is March 13, 2012. The current annualized dividend rate is $1.64 per common share. As of January 20, 2012, company's annualized dividend yield was 5.7%. The company also announced that Michael E. Szymanczyk has decided to retire after 23 years of distinguished service to the company, including four years as chairman and CEO of the company and 12 years as president and CEO of Philip Morris USA. The board has elected Martin J. Barrington, 58, to serve as its chairman and CEO, effective upon Mr. Szymanczyk's retirement following the annual meeting of shareholders on May 17, 2012. The Board also has elected Mr. Barrington to its board, effective January 27, 2012. Additionally, the board elected David R. Beran to serve as company's president and chief operating officer, effective May 17, 2012, and approved a consulting agreement with Mr. Szymanczyk for an initial period ending January 31, 2014. Mr. Barrington has held various roles in its family of companies since 1993, including, most recently, as vice chairman. He has also served as general counsel of both PM USA and Philip Morris International Inc. In these and other roles he has participated in the work of virtually every business function of the its family of companies, through direct business responsibility for regulatory and external affairs, research and development, human resources and compliance, as well as working closely with marketing, sales, strategy and business development and operations.