Universal (NYSE:UVV) Stock Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Universal Co. (NYSE:UVV)’s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $53.02 and traded as high as $54.22. Universal shares last traded at $53.62, with a volume of 109,872 shares traded.

Universal Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.02. The company has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.03 and a beta of 0.80. 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 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 14th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 14th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is presently 66.67%.

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

Institutional Trading of Universal

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Universal by 82.6% in 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 in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Universal in the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new position in Universal during the 4th quarter worth approximately $56,000. nVerses Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Universal by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV raised its holdings in shares of Universal by 57.8% in the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,141 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 418 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

Universal Company 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.