Universal (NYSE:UVV) Stock Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?

Shares of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $54.07 and traded as high as $54.86. Universal shares last traded at $54.65, with a volume of 114,983 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on UVV. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Universal from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut Universal from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Universal Stock Up 0.2%

The stock has a market cap of $1.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 2.70, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $53.45 and its 200-day moving average is $54.07.

Universal (NYSE:UVV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $754.18 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $704.30 million. Universal had a net margin of 3.74% and a return on equity of 8.24%.

Universal Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be given a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is 73.87%.

Institutional Trading of Universal

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UVV. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in Universal by 18.8% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 24,009 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,345,000 after buying an additional 3,795 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Universal by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 24,791 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,390,000 after acquiring an additional 1,976 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal by 24.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 36,958 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,071,000 after purchasing an additional 7,261 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,927,000. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal by 20.7% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 24,070 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,349,000 after purchasing an additional 4,124 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.00% of the company’s stock.

About Universal

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.