Universal (NYSE:UVV) Shares Up 5.5% – What’s Next?

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)’s stock price was up 5.5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $53.10 and last traded at $53.50. Approximately 49,948 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 57% from the average daily volume of 116,777 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.71.

Universal Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.10 and a beta of 0.80. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $54.37 and a 200-day moving average of $52.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 2.60.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 13th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.01%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.67%.

Universal announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal by 82.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 672 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in Universal during the 2nd quarter valued at $48,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Universal during the third quarter worth $48,000. nVerses Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Universal by 22.2% in the third quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its stake in shares of Universal by 57.8% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,141 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Company 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.