Sidoti Issues Negative Outlook for Universal Earnings

Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) – Analysts at Sidoti dropped their Q1 2028 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Universal in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, June 3rd. Sidoti analyst D. Harriman now expects that the company will earn $0.27 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.41. The consensus estimate for Universal’s current full-year earnings is $4.30 per share.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on UVV. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Universal from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Zacks Research cut shares of Universal from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Universal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal currently has an average rating of “Reduce”.

Universal Stock Down 0.3%

UVV opened at $52.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 3.49. Universal has a fifty-two week low of $49.19 and a fifty-two week high of $61.67. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $53.25 and its 200 day moving average is $53.49. The stock has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.59.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 28th. The company reported ($0.46) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08 by ($1.54). Universal had a return on equity of 4.43% and a net margin of 1.12%.The company had revenue of $715.24 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $728.20 million.

Universal Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 13th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. This is a boost from Universal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 13th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. Universal’s payout ratio is presently 254.26%.

Institutional Trading of Universal

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UVV. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 75.2% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 67.1% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 518 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 1,634.4% in the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 555 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 523 shares during the last quarter. Ankerstar Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal by 265.0% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 719 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 522 shares during the last quarter. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sidoti raised its Q3 2027 EPS estimate for Universal Corporation, suggesting some longer-term earnings strength in that period. Universal Corporation analyst estimate update
• Neutral Sentiment: Universal Corporation will report its virtual 2026 annual meeting on June 18, a routine corporate update with no immediate operating impact. Annual meeting notice
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary from Seeking Alpha argued Universal Corp. faces continued revenue and margin pressure from tobacco oversupply, while noting its dividend yield remains attractive but coverage may be tight. Seeking Alpha downgrade article
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded Universal Corporation from “hold” to “strong sell,” reinforcing a more cautious view on the stock. Zacks downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Sidoti also trimmed several near- and medium-term earnings estimates for Universal, including FY2027 and FY2028, which may signal softer profitability expectations ahead. Universal Corporation earnings estimate cuts

Universal Company Profile

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agribusiness company primarily engaged in the procurement, processing and sale of leaf tobacco. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company sources cured leaf tobacco from key growing regions in North and South America, Africa and Asia. Universal serves major multinational tobacco manufacturers by providing a full range of services including inventory management, quality control and logistics support to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of tobacco leaf.

In addition to its core leaf tobacco operations, Universal offers integrated supply-chain services that encompass warehousing, distribution and ingredient sourcing for smokeless and novel tobacco products.