Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Short Interest Up 25.5% in March

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 532,300 shares, a growth of 25.5% from the February 28th total of 424,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 147,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.6 days. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Universal Stock Performance

Universal stock traded down $0.28 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $55.75. 106,993 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 161,335. Universal has a 12 month low of $45.19 and a 12 month high of $59.13. 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 business has a 50 day moving average of $53.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.47 and a beta of 0.79.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 14th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 14th. Universal’s payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its position in Universal by 828.9% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 771 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 688 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Universal in the 3rd quarter worth $48,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new position in Universal in the 4th quarter worth $56,000. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in Universal by 325.7% during the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,758 shares of the company’s stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 1,345 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Universal during the fourth quarter valued at about $111,000. 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.