O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC Acquires 34,659 Shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 183.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 53,600 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 34,659 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC owned about 0.22% of Universal worth $2,772,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal during the 1st quarter worth approximately $903,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Universal during the 1st quarter valued at $534,000. Chesapeake Capital Corp IL bought a new stake in Universal during the 4th quarter valued at $1,034,000. Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in Universal during the 4th quarter valued at $1,644,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in Universal by 80.1% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 12,034 shares of the company’s stock valued at $622,000 after purchasing an additional 5,352 shares in the last quarter. 81.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Stock Up 1.4 %

NYSE UVV traded up $0.74 on Wednesday, reaching $52.56. 212,188 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 232,237. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 2.96. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $48.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.31. The company has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.87 and a beta of 0.80. Universal Co. has a 12 month low of $44.40 and a 12 month high of $67.80.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 22nd. The company reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $770.86 million during the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.81% and a net margin of 4.35%.

Universal Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 8th will be issued a $0.81 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 8th. This is an increase from Universal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.16%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.92%.

Universal Profile

Universal Corporation processes and supplies leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Tobacco Operations; and Ingredients Operations. It is involved in the procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products.