Vector, a Discount Cigarette and Value Stock

Smart investing in times of economic turmoil usually means seeking out companies with indispensible products. There may be no more indispensible a product than an addictive one.

Cigarette companies have long terrified some investors due to the potential for lawsuit losses and general-public backlash, but Vector Group(VGR Quote) has too much upside to ignore.

Vector produces an array of discount cigarette brands as well as a new line of snus, a smokeless tobacco product, and, most interestingly, Quest, a new brand of genetically engineered low-nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes to aid in the cessation of smoking. Vector has also diversified into real estate, with a wholly owned subsidiary, New Valley, and into alcohol, with a recent private placement of $4 million into Castle Brands, a premium spirits producer. ...