Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Shares Sold by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lowered its stake in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) by 81.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,077 shares of the company's stock after selling 17,943 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets' holdings in Universal were worth $224,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal by 828.9% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 771 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 688 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in shares of Universal during the 4th quarter worth $56,000. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of Universal by 325.7% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,758 shares of the company's stock worth $96,000 after purchasing an additional 1,345 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Universal during the 4th quarter worth $111,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal by 68.6% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,052 shares of the company's stock worth $167,000 after buying an additional 1,242 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered Universal from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday.

Universal Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE UVV traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $65.34. The company had a trading volume of 375,062 shares, compared to its average volume of 160,587. Universal Co. has a fifty-two week low of $45.19 and a fifty-two week high of $67.33. The company has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.44 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.60 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm's 50 day moving average is $56.13 and its 200 day moving average is $54.80.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 4.31%. The firm had revenue of $702.28 million during the quarter.

Universal Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 4th. Investors of record on Monday, July 14th will be issued a $0.82 dividend. This is an increase from Universal's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 14th. Universal's dividend payout ratio is currently 86.77%.

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.