BNP Paribas Financial Markets Grows Position in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) by 85.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,020 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,155 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.09% of Universal worth $1,169,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in Universal by 1.6% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 12,400 shares of the company's stock worth $598,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Universal by 22.2% during the third quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,100 shares of the company's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Keene & Associates Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal by 3.2% during the second quarter. Keene & Associates Inc. now owns 7,005 shares of the company's stock worth $338,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. AlphaMark Advisors LLC raised its position in Universal by 41.7% in the 2nd quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 850 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SteelPeak Wealth LLC grew its stake in Universal by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 4,648 shares of the company's stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.00% of the company's stock.

Universal Stock Performance

NYSE:UVV traded up $0.26 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $56.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 127,234 shares, compared to its average volume of 192,730. The firm has a market cap of $1.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 2.60. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $53.12 and a 200-day moving average of $51.35. Universal Co. has a 12 month low of $45.19 and a 12 month high of $67.80.

Universal Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.70%. Universal's payout ratio is 66.67%.

Universal declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board believes its shares are 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.