Allianz Asset Management GmbH Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Corporation $UVV

Key Points

• Allianz Asset Management GmbH reduced its stake in Universal Corporation by 6.5% in the second quarter, holding 115,742 shares after selling 8,071 shares.
• Universal Corporation announced a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share, with an annualized yield of 6.1%, to be paid on November 3rd.
• Research analysts currently have a Moderate Buy rating on Universal, with one analyst assigning a buy rating and another a hold rating on the stock.

Allianz Asset Management GmbH trimmed its holdings in Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 115,742 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,071 shares during the quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned approximately 0.47% of Universal worth $6,741,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal by 1.6% in the second quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 16,786 shares of the company's stock worth $978,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its holdings in shares of Universal by 7.6% in the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 14,723 shares of the company's stock worth $856,000 after buying an additional 1,040 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC bought a new position in Universal in the second quarter worth approximately $255,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its stake in Universal by 2.0% in the second quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 15,015 shares of the company's stock worth $874,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Universal in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE UVV opened at $53.50 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 2.49, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a PE ratio of 13.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.95 and a beta of 0.74. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $54.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $56.12. Universal Corporation has a 12-month low of $49.40 and a 12-month high of $67.33.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $593.76 million for the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.46% and a net margin of 3.51%.

Universal Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 13th will be given a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Universal's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.81%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Universal in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised Universal to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Universal from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Insider Transactions at Universal

In other news, COO Airton L. Hentschke sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.94, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 135,129 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,423,987.26. This trade represents a 6.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert C. Sledd sold 4,617 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.25, for a total value of $245,855.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 15,698 shares of the company's stock, valued at $835,918.50. The trade was a 22.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 17,417 shares of company stock valued at $943,347 in the last quarter. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Universal

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.

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