Universal Corp (UVV)

Over the past six months, Universal Corporation's stock price has seen some movement, with the share price at $53.40 as of October 24, 2025, a 7.01% increase from October 25, 2024. Recent financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, indicated an improved performance in the Tobacco Operations segment, while the Ingredients Operations segment maintained positive momentum with higher sales volumes. Universal Corporation announced its quarterly dividend on August 6, 2025, and expects sales to be 2-9% lower than fiscal year 2025, with an anticipated increase in flue-cured and burley tobacco crop sizes.

Universal Corporation's business, particularly its Tobacco Operations segment, is subject to seasonal patterns. The first half of the fiscal year typically sees negative free cash flow as the company focuses on building inventory and extending working capital to suppliers for seasonal tobacco purchases. Crop deliveries accelerate in the second half of the year, leading to receivables being converted to cash. Customer demand for tobacco has remained firm following several years of short supply. The company anticipates increased flue-cured and burley tobacco crop sizes in fiscal year 2026, which could lead to oversupply by the end of the fiscal year. The Ingredients Operations segment also experiences demand fluctuations, with some recent curtailed demand due to tariff uncertainty.

Universal Corporation, founded in 1886 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a global business-to-business agriproducts company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically the Tobacco industry. The company's core business is its Tobacco Operations segment, where it acts as the world's leading global leaf tobacco supplier, offering services such as procurement, processing, packing, storing, and shipping of various types of leaf tobacco. Universal Corporation has also diversified into the Ingredients Operations segment, producing specialty plant-based ingredients for consumer-packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, and food and beverage companies.

Universal Corporation has a significant global presence, conducting business in more than 30 countries across five continents, including North and South America, Africa, and Asia. The company derives a majority of its revenue from the United States, but also operates in countries such as Belgium, China, Egypt, the Philippines, and Germany.

Information specifically detailing Universal Corp.'s brand reputation in the past year is not explicitly available. The company's business model as a business-to-business agriproducts supplier means its reputation is more likely tied to its reliability as a supplier, its sustainability practices, and its financial performance. Universal Corporation emphasizes its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and reducing its environmental footprint. In 2010, Universal Corporation was accused of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Universal Corporation's ownership structure is a mix of institutional, retail, and individual investors. Institutional investors hold approximately 58.56% of the company's stock, while insiders own about 2.10%, and public companies and individual investors hold around 39.33%. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. The largest individual shareholder is George C. Freeman III, who owns 1.41% of the company.