Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) Shares Sold by Centiva Capital LP

Centiva Capital LP lowered its position in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 8.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,893 shares of the company’s stock after selling 456 shares during the quarter. Centiva Capital LP’s holdings in Universal were worth $260,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. ORG Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal by 438.0% in the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 4,880 shares of the company’s stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 3,973 shares in the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC grew its stake in Universal by 41.7% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 850 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Universal by 145.2% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,030 shares of the company’s stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 23,753 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,145,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares during the period. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Universal by 1.6% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 12,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $598,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of UVV opened at $56.32 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of 11.59 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 company’s 50 day moving average price is $53.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.46. Universal Co. has a 52 week low of $45.19 and a 52 week high of $67.80.

Universal Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, January 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.75%. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is 66.67%.

Universal announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

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.