Cerity Partners LLC Boosts Stock Position in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 24.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,004 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,935 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Universal were worth $1,328,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Universal by 82.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Universal by 41.7% in the 2nd quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 850 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Universal in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal by 145.2% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,030 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of NYSE:UVV opened at $55.94 on Wednesday. Universal Co. has a 52-week low of $45.19 and a 52-week high of $67.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.51 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $52.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 2.60.

Universal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 13th will be given a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 13th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.67%.

Universal announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.