Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Shares Sold by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reduced its stake in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV - Free Report) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,866,721 shares of the company's stock after selling 40,925 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 7.56% of Universal worth $102,370,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UVV. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,913,551 shares of the company's stock worth $159,779,000 after acquiring an additional 38,940 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Universal by 25.3% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 995,262 shares of the company's stock worth $54,580,000 after purchasing an additional 201,185 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Universal by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 575,128 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,540,000 after purchasing an additional 32,445 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Universal by 7.6% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 386,913 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,218,000 after buying an additional 27,480 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of Universal by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Boston Partners now owns 285,111 shares of the company's stock worth $15,343,000 after buying an additional 15,056 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.00% of the company's stock.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of UVV stock opened at $57.87 on Monday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $53.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 2.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 11.91 and a beta of 0.74. Universal Co. has a 52-week low of $45.19 and a 52-week high of $59.13.

Universal (NYSE:UVV - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 21st. The company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Universal had a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 4.31%. The business had revenue of $937.19 million for the quarter.

Universal Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 14th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 14th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.60%. Universal's payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

About Universal

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.

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