Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Declares Dividend Increase - $0.82 Per Share

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 21st, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Monday, July 14th will be given a dividend of 0.82 per share on Monday, August 4th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 14th. This is a 1.2% increase from Universal's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81.

Universal has increased its dividend by an average of 1.3% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 55 consecutive years.

Universal Stock Performance

UVV stock traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $59.62. 78,531 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 168,305. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.47 billion, a PE ratio of 12.27 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $55.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.59. Universal has a 52 week low of $45.19 and a 52 week high of $60.19. 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 (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 21st. The company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 4.31%. The company had revenue of $937.19 million for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Universal by 18.8% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 24,009 shares of the company's stock worth $1,345,000 after purchasing an additional 3,795 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Universal by 20.7% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 24,070 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,349,000 after purchasing an additional 4,124 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Universal by 8.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 24,791 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,390,000 after purchasing an additional 1,976 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in Universal by 24.5% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 36,958 shares of the company's stock worth $2,071,000 after buying an additional 7,261 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal in the 1st quarter worth $3,927,000. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.