Captrust Financial Advisors Grows Position in Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)

Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV) by 21.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,066 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors’ holdings in Universal were worth $322,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Universal during the 3rd quarter worth $697,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Universal by 85.6% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 22,020 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,169,000 after purchasing an additional 10,155 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal by 145.9% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,533 shares of the company’s stock valued at $135,000 after acquiring an additional 1,503 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Universal by 5,210.9% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,443 shares of the company’s stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 2,397 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal by 82.6% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UVV opened at $56.48 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.60 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Universal Co. has a 12 month low of $45.19 and a 12 month high of $67.80. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $53.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $51.56.

Universal announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Announces Dividend

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 issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 13th. 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.