Universal (NYSE:UVV) Releases Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $1.54 EPS

Universal (NYSE:UVV) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.46) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08 by ($1.54), FiscalAI reports. Universal had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 6.49%. The firm had revenue of $715.24 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $728.20 million.

Universal Stock Performance

UVV stock traded down $3.92 during trading on Thursday, reaching $51.31. 1,081,373 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 203,205. Universal has a twelve month low of $49.95 and a twelve month high of $67.33. The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.61. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.50. The company has a current ratio of 2.91, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40.

Universal Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, July 13th will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. This is a boost from Universal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 13th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.94%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on UVV shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Universal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Zacks Research raised Universal from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded Universal from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UVV. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Universal by 5.1% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Rexford Capital Inc. increased its holdings in Universal by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Rexford Capital Inc. now owns 8,671 shares of the company’s stock valued at $457,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Universal by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 6,315 shares of the company’s stock valued at $333,000 after buying an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors raised its stake in shares of Universal by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 18,356 shares of the company’s stock valued at $968,000 after buying an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 80,377 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,681,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. 81.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Universal

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agribusiness company primarily engaged in the procurement, processing and sale of leaf tobacco. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company sources cured leaf tobacco from key growing regions in North and South America, Africa and Asia. Universal serves major multinational tobacco manufacturers by providing a full range of services including inventory management, quality control and logistics support to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of tobacco leaf.

In addition to its core leaf tobacco operations, Universal offers integrated supply-chain services that encompass warehousing, distribution and ingredient sourcing for smokeless and novel tobacco products.