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

Universal (NYSE:UVV) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported ($0.46) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($1.54), FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $715.24 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $728.20 million. Universal had a net margin of 1.12% and a return on equity of 4.39%.

Universal Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of Universal stock opened at $51.77 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $53.07 and its 200-day moving average is $53.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.29 billion, a PE ratio of 40.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 2.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Universal has a 12-month low of $49.19 and a 12-month high of $67.33.

Universal Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 6.4%. 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 payout ratio is presently 96.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UVV has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Universal from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. Wall Street Zen lowered Universal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Universal from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UVV. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its position in shares of Universal by 180.5% during the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 438,134 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,517,000 after purchasing an additional 281,920 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Universal by 1,575.1% during the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 279,058 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,591,000 after buying an additional 262,399 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Universal by 21.2% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 815,801 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,579,000 after buying an additional 142,439 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Universal during the second quarter valued at $6,131,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Universal by 1,662.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 89,569 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,004,000 after buying an additional 84,486 shares during the period. 81.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Universal

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Management described sales as resilient during the quarter, indicating the core business is still holding up despite weaker earnings. Universal Corp Earnings Call: Resilient Sales, Profit Strain
• Negative Sentiment: Universal Corp. reported a quarterly loss and missed both EPS and revenue estimates, raising concerns about margin pressure and near-term earnings momentum. Universal Corp. (UVV) Reports Q4 Loss, Lags Revenue Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: The company’s fiscal 2026 results pointed to a tougher operating backdrop, which may limit upside until profitability improves. Universal Corporation Reports Fiscal Year and Fourth Quarter 2026 Results

Universal Company Profile

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.