Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Short Interest Update

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVVGet Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 417,800 shares, a decrease of 15.4% from the December 31st total of 494,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 142,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.9 days. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Universal

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal by 30.4% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 49,849 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,647,000 after purchasing an additional 11,612 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in Universal in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $697,000. Barclays PLC boosted its position in Universal by 341.2% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 40,565 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,155,000 after buying an additional 31,370 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Universal by 6.3% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,218,793 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,730,000 after buying an additional 71,773 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Universal by 85.6% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 22,020 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,169,000 after buying an additional 10,155 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Stock Down 0.7 %

UVV traded down $0.38 during trading on Friday, reaching $53.14. The company had a trading volume of 128,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 119,690. The company has a market cap of $1.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.93 and a beta of 0.80. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $54.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.92. Universal has a 12 month low of $45.19 and a 12 month high of $59.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.60 and a quick ratio of 0.96.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, January 13th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.10%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

Universal announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to buy up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Universal Corporation processes and supplies leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Tobacco Operations; and Ingredients Operations. It is involved in the procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products.

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