KBC Group NV Increases Stake in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

KBC Group NV raised its stake in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 57.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,141 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 418 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Universal were worth $61,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Boston Partners acquired a new position in shares of Universal in the 1st quarter valued at $12,273,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal by 145.9% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,533 shares of the company’s stock worth $135,000 after acquiring an additional 1,503 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal by 5,210.9% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,443 shares of the company’s stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 2,397 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Universal by 82.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the period. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal in the 3rd quarter valued at about $254,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of UVV stock opened at $57.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. Universal Co. has a 12-month low of $45.19 and a 12-month high of $67.80. The business’s 50 day moving average is $52.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.09. The company has a market capitalization of $1.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.74 and a beta of 0.77.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, January 13th will be paid a $0.81 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.68%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

Universal declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

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.