Universal (NYSE:UVV) Upgraded to Buy at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Universal Corporation has been upgraded from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating by Wall Street Zen, signaling increased investor confidence in the stock.
• Despite this upgrade, Zacks Research maintains its "hold" rating on Universal, indicating differing perspectives among analysts.
• The stock currently trades at approximately $56.62, with notable financial metrics including a PE ratio of 13.78 and a market capitalization of $1.41 billion.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) was upgraded by Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note issued on Friday.

Separately, Zacks Research raised shares of Universal to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Universal currently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

Universal Trading Up 1.4%

UVV stock opened at $56.6240 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.41 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78, a P/E/G ratio of 6.27 and a beta of 0.74. Universal has a 12 month low of $49.40 and a 12 month high of $67.33. The firm's 50-day moving average is $56.09 and its 200 day moving average is $55.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 2.49 and a quick ratio of 0.98.

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

Insider Transactions at Universal

In other Universal news, Director Lennart R. Freeman sold 2,800 shares of Universal stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.89, for a total transaction of $148,092.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 19,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,040,293.41. This trade represents a 12.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Robert C. Sledd sold 4,617 shares of Universal stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.25, for a total value of $245,855.25. Following the transaction, the director 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. Company insiders own 1.90% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,149 shares of the company's stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 15,155 shares of the company's stock worth $849,000 after acquiring an additional 1,196 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal during the 1st quarter worth about $281,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal during the 1st quarter worth about $624,000. Finally, 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal during the 1st quarter worth about $437,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company's stock.

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.

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