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Universal (UVV)
NYSE:UVV

Universal (UVV) AI Stock Analysis

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Universal

(NYSE:UVV)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$71.00
▲(20.69%Upside)
Universal Corporation's overall stock score of 68 reflects strong financial performance with robust revenue growth and stable profit margins, supported by a balanced capital structure. The technical analysis suggests a bullish trend, though potential overbought conditions warrant caution. Valuation is fair with a compelling dividend yield. While recent earnings call indicates positive strategic moves, some operational challenges remain.

Universal (UVV) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Universal Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUniversal 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. The company contracts, purchases, processes, and sells flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos that are primarily used in the manufacture of cigarettes; and dark air-cured tobaccos principally used in the manufacture of cigars, natural wrapped cigars and cigarillos, smokeless, and pipe tobacco products. It also provides value-added services, including blending, chemical, and physical testing of tobacco; service cutting for various manufacturers; manufacturing reconstituted leaf tobacco; just-in-time inventory management services; electronic nicotine delivery systems; and smoke testing services for customers. In addition, the company offers testing services for crop protection agents and tobacco constituents in seed, leaf, and finished products, including e-cigarette liquids and vapors; and analytical services that include chemical compound testing in finished tobacco products and mainstream smoke. Further, it provides a various value-added manufacturing processes to produce specialty vegetable and fruit-based ingredients, as well as botanical extracts and flavorings for human and pet food markets; and recycles waste materials from tobacco production. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyUniversal Corporation makes money primarily through the procurement, processing, and sale of leaf tobacco. The company sources tobacco leaves from various growers, processes them, and then sells them to tobacco product manufacturers worldwide. Universal's revenue streams are predominantly derived from long-term supply agreements with major tobacco companies, ensuring a steady demand for their products. The company's earnings are influenced by factors such as global tobacco consumption trends, agricultural conditions affecting crop yields, and international trade policies. Additionally, Universal may engage in strategic partnerships and joint ventures to enhance its market presence and operational efficiency.

Universal Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 29, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: -0.93%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Universal Corporation showed solid fiscal year 2025 performance with revenue and operating income growth, dividend increases, and improvements in the Ingredients Operations segment. However, the fourth quarter experienced a decline in revenue and income, along with challenges such as the Mozambique embezzlement investigation and pension settlement charges. Despite these issues, the company's strategic initiatives and sustainability efforts are promising for future growth.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and Operating Income Growth
Fiscal year 2025 revenue and operating income increased by 7% and 5%, respectively, compared to fiscal year 2024.
Dividend Increase
Declared the 55th annual dividend increase with a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share, equating to an annualized rate of $3.28 per share.
Ingredients Operations Segment Improvement
Operating income for the Ingredients Operations segment increased to $12.3 million in fiscal year 2025 from $3.9 million in fiscal year 2024.
Debt Reduction
Net debt decreased by $180 million, ending at $817 million as of March 31, 2025.
Sustainability and Operational Achievements
Continued focus on sustainability and operational excellence with strong management teams coordinating globally.
Negative Updates
Fourth Quarter Revenue and Income Decline
Fourth quarter sales were $702.3 million, down from $770.9 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2024. Operating income for the quarter dropped to $42.8 million from $68.2 million.
Net Income Decrease
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation for fiscal year 2025 was $95 million, down from $119.6 million in fiscal year 2024.
Mozambique Embezzlement Investigation Costs
Higher legal and professional fees related to the Mozambique embezzlement investigation impacted SG&A expenses.
Pension Settlement Charge
A one-time pretax pension settlement charge of approximately $14 million impacted fourth quarter results.
Company Guidance
During the Universal Corporation Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 earnings call, the company provided detailed guidance reflecting its financial performance and strategic outlook. For fiscal year 2025, Universal reported a 7% increase in revenue and a 5% rise in operating income compared to the prior year, despite challenges such as weather-impacted crops and high tobacco prices. The company's Tobacco Operations segment saw a decrease in fourth-quarter revenue to $702.3 million from $770.9 million in the same period of 2024, mainly due to timing shifts in shipments. However, full-year sales and operating revenue reached $2.95 billion, driven by higher tobacco sales prices despite lower volumes. The Ingredients Operations segment improved, with segment operating income increasing to $12.3 million from $3.9 million in fiscal year 2024. Universal also reported a reduction in net debt by $180 million, ending at $817 million as of March 31, 2025. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, Universal anticipates strong customer demand and a shift toward a more balanced tobacco supply market. The company also aims to enhance its Ingredients Operations and has invested in expanding its capabilities. Additionally, Universal has maintained a commitment to sustainability, engaging over 175,000 farmers globally. Despite challenges, such as potential tariff impacts and industry changes, Universal remains focused on executing its business strategy and leveraging its strong regional and local management teams.

Universal Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Universal has demonstrated strong revenue growth and stable gross profit margins, reflecting effective revenue generation and cost control. The balance sheet is robust, with a healthy equity base, though rising debt levels should be monitored. Cash flow has shown improvement, but historical volatility suggests a need for continued focus on cash management strategies.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Universal has shown consistent revenue growth, increasing from $1.91 billion in 2020 to $2.95 billion in 2025. Gross profit margin has remained stable, indicating strong cost management. However, net profit margin has declined due to fluctuations in net income, suggesting potential operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is manageable, with equity growing alongside debt, maintaining a balanced capital structure. The equity ratio indicates a solid base of stockholders' equity relative to assets. However, the steady increase in total debt warrants monitoring to prevent potential leverage risks.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow management shows mixed results, with operating cash flow recovering to positive in 2025 after negative figures in 2024 and 2023. Free cash flow has improved significantly, indicating better cash management, although past volatility highlights potential risks in cash flow stability.
BreakdownMar 2025Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.95B2.75B2.57B2.10B1.98B
Gross Profit548.88M536.10M458.29M408.93M386.00M
EBITDA301.05M288.68M250.07M214.69M188.42M
Net Income95.05M119.60M124.05M86.58M87.41M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.99B2.94B2.64B2.59B2.34B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments260.12M55.59M64.69M81.65M197.22M
Total Debt1.10B1.06B849.32M741.11M647.09M
Total Liabilities1.49B1.46B1.20B1.20B993.50M
Stockholders Equity1.46B1.44B1.40B1.34B1.31B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow264.37M-140.65M-65.23M-8.32M154.26M
Operating Cash Flow326.97M-74.63M-10.56M44.88M220.41M
Investing Cash Flow-58.82M-60.00M-50.35M-142.66M-217.27M
Financing Cash Flow-63.23M125.67M38.95M-16.76M91.39M

Universal Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price58.83
Price Trends
50DMA
58.99
Negative
100DMA
56.04
Positive
200DMA
53.75
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.24
Positive
RSI
48.70
Neutral
STOCH
34.38
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UVV, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 58.83 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 59.50, below the 50-day MA of 58.99, and above the 200-day MA of 53.75, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.24 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.70 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.38 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UVV.

Universal Risk Analysis

Universal disclosed 26 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Universal reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Universal Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (69)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
MOMO
73
Outperform
$99.67B9.90-503.31%6.89%-1.03%25.20%
PMPM
73
Outperform
$278.43B36.76-37142.11%3.07%6.83%-4.85%
RLRLX
73
Outperform
$2.92B33.104.07%0.34%75.72%-6.45%
69
Neutral
€25.64B14.0712.66%4.85%-10.92%23.63%
UVUVV
68
Neutral
$1.46B15.556.56%5.56%7.23%-20.91%
TPTPB
68
Neutral
$1.32B32.3627.53%0.41%3.17%-2.23%
BTBTI
64
Neutral
$103.46B27.125.87%6.24%-2.51%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UVV
Universal
58.83
14.41
32.44%
MO
Altria Group
59.65
16.90
39.53%
BTI
British American Tobacco
48.38
19.08
65.12%
PM
Philip Morris
178.88
80.16
81.20%
TPB
Turning Point Brands
73.87
40.05
118.42%
RLX
RLX Technology
2.40
0.60
33.33%

Universal Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Universal Expands Board with New Independent Director
Positive
May 23, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Universal Corporation’s Board of Directors expanded to 10 members and appointed Fay Manolios as a new independent director, effective June 1, 2025. Ms. Manolios, with over 25 years of experience in strategy development and human resources, will serve on several committees, bringing valuable insights to the company. Concurrently, Michael T. Lawton announced his retirement from the Board after nine years of service, with his term ending at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The changes are expected to enhance Universal’s strategic initiatives and maintain its commitment to high standards benefiting all stakeholders.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 03, 2025