Universal

Universal Corporation raised its quarterly dividend to $0.83, marking a 56th consecutive annual increase and a roughly 7.3% yield. The company's plant-based ingredients unit is expanding capacity but faces margin pressure from weak consumer demand and higher fixed costs, while tobacco volumes provide little growth. Investors are being paid a high yield while management's ingredients strategy aims to deliver results over the coming years. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Universal reported Q1 FY27 adjusted EPS of -$0.20 versus a $0.25 consensus and revenue of $523.78 million versus $587 million expected, driving the stock below its 52-week low. Tobacco Operations revenue fell 13% year-over-year and operating income plunged 90% to $3.47 million as volumes declined 9% and prices fell 6% amid oversupply; the Ingredients segment also posted weak results and a segment operating loss. Gross margin compressed 330 basis points and overall operating income declined 93%, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly miss. Management highlighted slower purchasing and expects tobacco shipments to shift toward the second half of FY27, while the company maintains a $0.83 quarterly dividend (56-year streak) and a yield around 6.43%. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Universal Corp’s stock fell to $48.98, marking a new 52-week low. In Q1 of fiscal 2027 the company reported a loss of $0.20 per share, missing analysts’ expectations of $0.34 in earnings; revenue declined 12% to $523.8 million. Operating income in the tobacco segment plunged to $3.5 million, which the company attributed to delayed customer purchases in an oversupplied market. Despite the weakness, management stresses that customer demand for the year is in line with the sales plan and expects tobacco margins to normalize; the dividend yield is 6.53% after 35 consecutive increases. » More on de.investing.com