ProShare Advisors LLC Boosts Holdings in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 69.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 273,280 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 111,691 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC owned 1.11% of Universal worth $13,169,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Universal during the 1st quarter valued at $903,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC increased its position in Universal by 183.0% during the 1st quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 53,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,772,000 after purchasing an additional 34,659 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Universal in the 1st quarter valued at about $534,000. Boston Partners purchased a new position in Universal in the 1st quarter valued at about $12,273,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of Universal during the 4th quarter worth about $1,644,000. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UVV opened at $52.58 on Tuesday. 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 company has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a PE ratio of 11.02 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $50.67. Universal Co. has a 12 month low of $44.40 and a 12 month high of $67.80.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $597.05 million during the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 4.31%.

Universal Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 14th will be issued a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 11th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.92%.

Universal 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.