Universal (NYSE:UVV) Cut to Sell at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Universal (NYSE:UVV) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Saturday morning.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Universal from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research raised Universal from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal has an average rating of “Hold”.

Universal Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE:UVV opened at $44.22 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $51.74 and its 200-day moving average is $52.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. Universal has a 12 month low of $43.36 and a 12 month high of $59.38. The firm has a market cap of $1.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.43, a P/E/G ratio of 14.08 and a beta of 0.60.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.25 by ($0.43). Universal had a return on equity of 3.50% and a net margin of 0.67%.The firm had revenue of $523.78 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $587.00 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Universal will post 3.18 EPS for the current year.

Universal Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 12th will be given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 431.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal

In related news, Director Lennart R. Freeman sold 1,782 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.82, for a total transaction of $88,779.24. Following the transaction, the director owned 16,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $843,701.70. The trade was a 9.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert C. Sledd sold 2,845 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.12, for a total transaction of $153,971.40. Following the transaction, the director owned 11,959 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $647,221.08. The trade was a 19.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 2.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vestcor Inc raised its position in shares of Universal by 282.7% during the fourth quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 33,264 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,755,000 after buying an additional 24,571 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal during the first quarter worth about $4,220,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Universal by 35.5% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 353,655 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,638,000 after buying an additional 92,617 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in Universal during the first quarter worth about $585,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Universal by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,983,924 shares of the company’s stock valued at $157,402,000 after acquiring an additional 35,513 shares during the period. 81.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Universal

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agribusiness company primarily engaged in the procurement, processing and sale of leaf tobacco. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company sources cured leaf tobacco from key growing regions in North and South America, Africa and Asia. Universal serves major multinational tobacco manufacturers by providing a full range of services including inventory management, quality control and logistics support to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of tobacco leaf.

In addition to its core leaf tobacco operations, Universal offers integrated supply-chain services that encompass warehousing, distribution and ingredient sourcing for smokeless and novel tobacco products.