Intech Investment Management LLC Purchases 63,749 Shares of Universal Corporation $UVV

Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) by 306.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 84,568 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 63,749 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC owned 0.34% of Universal worth $4,725,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 11,705 shares of the company’s stock worth $654,000 after acquiring an additional 630 shares in the last quarter. AXQ Capital LP purchased a new stake in Universal in the third quarter worth about $223,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Universal during the third quarter valued at approximately $308,000. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Universal by 31.8% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 111,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,206,000 after purchasing an additional 26,801 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Navellier & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal by 4.2% during the third quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 69,702 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,894,000 after purchasing an additional 2,841 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research downgraded Universal from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings cut Universal from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Universal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Universal Trading Down 0.2%

Universal stock opened at $53.71 on Friday. Universal Corporation has a one year low of $49.96 and a one year high of $67.33. The business’s fifty day moving average is $54.26 and its 200 day moving average is $54.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.34 billion, a PE ratio of 15.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 2.91 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.92 by ($0.57). The business had revenue of $861.29 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $927.20 million. Universal had a return on equity of 6.49% and a net margin of 2.93%.

Universal Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is 96.76%.

Universal 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.