Raymond James Financial Inc. Buys New Position in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 24,242 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,329,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.10% of Universal at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Universal during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new stake in shares of Universal during the fourth quarter worth $56,000. US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of Universal by 325.7% during the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,758 shares of the company's stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 1,345 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Universal in the 4th quarter valued at about $111,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in Universal by 68.6% in the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,052 shares of the company's stock valued at $167,000 after acquiring an additional 1,242 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.00% of the company's stock.

Universal Price Performance

Universal stock opened at $58.48 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.03 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.79. Universal Co. has a 12-month low of $45.19 and a 12-month high of $59.13.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 21st. The company reported $2.37 earnings per share for the quarter. Universal had a net margin of 4.31% and a return on equity of 8.92%. The business had revenue of $937.19 million during the quarter.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 14th will be issued a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 14th. Universal's payout ratio is currently 64.54%.

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.

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