Universal (NYSE:UVV – Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by ($0.45), FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $523.78 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $587.00 million. Universal had a net margin of 1.12% and a return on equity of 4.43%.
Universal Trading Down 1.4%
Shares of Universal stock traded down $0.73 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $52.03. 294,077 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 223,267. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 3.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $52.79 and its 200 day moving average is $53.33. The firm has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 0.60. Universal has a 1 year low of $49.19 and a 1 year high of $59.38.
Universal Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 13th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. This is a positive change from Universal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 13th. Universal’s payout ratio is currently 257.36%.
Key Headlines Impacting Universal
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded Universal Corporation from “strong sell” to “hold.” The change removes an especially bearish rating, although “hold” indicates limited near-term conviction rather than a bullish outlook. Zacks Research
- Neutral Sentiment: Universal announced a planned leadership transition at its Universal Ingredients subsidiary. J. Patrick O’Keefe intends to retire, with the company expected to manage the transition; the announcement did not indicate a change to financial guidance or business strategy. Universal Announces Leadership Transition in Ingredients Segment
- Negative Sentiment: The leadership news comes as Universal’s most recent quarterly results showed an adjusted earnings loss of $0.46 per share, well below the $1.08 consensus estimate, while revenue also fell short of expectations. That earnings miss remains an overhang on sentiment and helps explain why investors may be reluctant to bid the stock higher.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several research firms recently issued reports on UVV. Zacks Research upgraded Universal from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings lowered Universal from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Universal presently has a consensus rating of “Hold”.
View Our Latest Analysis on Universal
Insider Transactions at Universal
In related news, Director Robert C. Sledd sold 2,845 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.12, for a total transaction of $153,971.40. Following the transaction, the director owned 11,959 shares in the company, valued at $647,221.08. The trade was a 19.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 2.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal
Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased its stake in shares of Universal by 1,634.4% during the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 555 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 523 shares during the period. Ankerstar Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Universal in the fourth quarter worth $37,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Universal by 265.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 719 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 522 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Universal in the fourth quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in Universal in the third quarter valued at $63,000. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
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.
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