Universal (NYSE:UVV) Releases Quarterly 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 the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($1.54), FiscalAI reports. Universal had a return on equity of 6.49% and a net margin of 2.93%.The firm had revenue of $715.24 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $728.20 million.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of UVV stock opened at $51.31 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of 15.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.61. Universal has a 52-week low of $49.95 and a 52-week high of $67.33. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $53.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.48. 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 Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, July 13th will be given a $0.83 dividend. This is a boost from Universal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 13th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.5%. Universal’s payout ratio is presently 96.76%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its holdings in Universal by 1,634.4% in the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 555 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 523 shares in the last quarter. Ankerstar Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Universal in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Universal by 265.0% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 719 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Universal in the 4th quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in Universal in the 3rd quarter valued at $63,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

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.