Universal Stock Sees Q3 Earnings Forecast Lowered at Sidoti

Key Points

• Sidoti trimmed its earnings outlook: Q3 2027 EPS is now forecast at $1.74, down from $1.75, and FY2027 EPS at $3.09, below the prior $3.18 estimate.
• Universal’s latest quarter missed expectations, reporting EPS of $0.39 versus $0.58 expected and revenue of $621.85 million versus $630.10 million expected.
• The stock opened at $38.63, and analysts’ consensus rating is “Reduce.” Universal declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83, equivalent to an 8.6% yield at the reported share price.

Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Sidoti cut their Q3 2027 EPS estimates for shares of Universal in a research note issued to investors on Monday, November 9th. Sidoti analyst D. Harriman now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.74 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.75. The consensus estimate for Universal's current full-year earnings is $3.18 per share. Sidoti also issued estimates for Universal's Q4 2027 earnings at $1.15 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.09 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.98 EPS and Q3 2028 earnings at $1.66 EPS.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by ($0.19). Universal had a positive return on equity of 1.87% and a negative net margin of 0.09%. The company had revenue of $621.85 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $630.10 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.36 earnings per share.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, September 5th. Zacks Research raised Universal from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, October 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Universal from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce".

Universal Stock Down 2.0%

Universal stock opened at $38.63 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $42.21 and a 200 day moving average of $49.91. The stock has a market cap of $961.84 million, a PE ratio of -429.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.50 and a beta of 0.61. Universal has a one year low of $37.38 and a one year high of $59.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 2.57.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal by 67.1% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 518 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Universal by 2.3% during the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 12,630 shares of the company's stock worth $528,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the last quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Universal by 4.9% in the third quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 7,126 shares of the company's stock valued at $298,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of Universal by 42.5% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,509 shares of the company's stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the period. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal by 32.5% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,231 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.00% of the company's stock.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 11th will be given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 11th. Universal's payout ratio is presently -3,688.89%.

Universal News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sidoti raised its Q4 2027 EPS estimate to $1.15 from $1.05 and its Q2 2028 estimate to $0.98 from $0.94.
• Negative Sentiment: Sidoti lowered its FY2027 EPS forecast to $3.09 from $3.18. It also trimmed Q3 2027 EPS slightly, to $1.74 from $1.75, and cut Q3 2028 EPS to $1.66 from $1.87. The overall downward revisions could reinforce concerns about earnings prospects.

Universal Company Profile

Universal Corporation is a global agricultural products and services company best known for sourcing, processing and supplying leaf tobacco to manufacturers. Its services include managing tobacco supply chains, from crop purchasing and processing to logistics and related support for customers.

The company also operates an Ingredients Operations business, which supplies products such as dehydrated fruits and vegetables, flavors, extracts and other plant-based ingredients for food and beverage customers.

Founded in 1918 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal serves customers and growers across a range of international markets.

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