Short Interest in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Expands By 25.5%

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 532,300 shares, an increase of 25.5% from the February 28th total of 424,000 shares. Approximately 2.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 147,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Universal Stock Performance

UVV traded down $1.61 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $54.03. The company's stock had a trading volume of 212,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 160,417. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.47. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a PE ratio of 11.12 and a beta of 0.74. Universal has a fifty-two week low of $45.19 and a fifty-two week high of $59.13.

Universal Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 14th. Universal's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.67%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UVV. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal by 828.9% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 771 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 688 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Universal during the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new stake in Universal in the fourth quarter worth approximately $56,000. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in Universal by 325.7% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,758 shares of the company's stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 1,345 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Universal during the 4th quarter valued at $111,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.00% of the company's stock.

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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.