Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Shares Acquired by Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 542,683 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 24,089 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 2.20% of Universal worth $28,822,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Universal during the 3rd quarter worth about $697,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Universal by 145.9% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,533 shares of the company's stock worth $135,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 2,397 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 82.6% in 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 last quarter. 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 Up 1.0 %

Shares of UVV traded up $0.54 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $56.86. The company's stock had a trading volume of 108,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 193,908. Universal Co. has a 12-month low of $45.19 and a 12-month high of $67.80. The stock has a market cap of $1.40 billion, a PE ratio of 11.60 and a beta of 0.81. 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's 50 day moving average is $52.91 and its 200 day moving average is $51.24.

Universal announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, November 7th that allows the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 13th will be issued a $0.81 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.70%. Universal's payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

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.