Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
Help & Tutorial 
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Valuation
Upturn AI SWOT - About
UVV 
Universal Corporation (UVV)
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)
Stock price based on last close (see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: UVV (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
0 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 0.91% | Avg. Invested days 37 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/14/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.45B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 15.51 | 1Y Target Price 59 |
Price to earnings Ratio 15.51 | 1Y Target Price 59 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.78 | 52 Weeks Range 44.11 - 67.33 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 44.11 - 67.33 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 5.59% | Basic EPS (TTM) 3.78 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 3.23% | Operating Margin (TTM) 6.09% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 5.13% | Return on Equity (TTM) 7.6% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 15.51 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 2293516250 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.49 |
Enterprise Value 2293516250 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.49 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.78 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 7.81 | Shares Outstanding 24715600 | Shares Floating 24142223 |
Shares Outstanding 24715600 | Shares Floating 24142223 | ||
Percent Insiders 3.35 | Percent Institutions 85.69 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Universal Corporation
Company Overview
History and Background
Universal Corporation, founded in 1918, is the world's leading leaf tobacco merchant and processor. It has evolved from a domestic tobacco dealer to a global supply chain manager.
Core Business Areas
- Leaf Tobacco: Procurement, processing, and supply of leaf tobacco to cigarette manufacturers and other tobacco product companies worldwide.
- Ingredients: Provides ingredients and other value-added services to various industries. Includes fruit and vegetable processing operations
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team includes George C. Freeman, III (Chairman, President and CEO). The company is structured with global operations, focusing on regional tobacco production areas.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Leaf Tobacco: Provides various tobacco leaf types sourced globally. Universal claims it is the largest leaf tobacco merchant worldwide. Competitors include Pyxus International and Alliance One International.
- Ingredients: Provides specialty ingredients and processing services to the food and beverage industry. Universal has been expanding its offerings in this segment. Competitors depend on the specific ingredient.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The tobacco industry is experiencing declining cigarette consumption in developed markets but growth in developing markets and alternative products. The ingredients industry is growing as food and beverage processors seek novel products and processes.
Positioning
Universal Corporation is positioned as the largest leaf tobacco merchant globally, with a significant presence in key tobacco-producing regions. Its expansion into the ingredients market is aimed at diversifying revenue streams and capitalizing on growing food trends.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global leaf tobacco market is estimated to be over $15 billion. The ingredients market, much larger, is estimated at hundreds of billions. Universal's TAM within each market depends on the specific products and services offered.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Global Supply Chain Network
- Long-Standing Relationships with Tobacco Manufacturers
- Expertise in Tobacco Processing
- Diversification into Ingredients Business
Weaknesses
- Dependence on Tobacco Industry
- Exposure to Regulatory Risks
- Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations
- Impacts from climate change
Opportunities
- Growth in Emerging Markets
- Expansion of Ingredients Business
- Acquisitions of Complementary Businesses
- Opportunities in alternative tobacco products like e-cigarettes
Threats
- Declining Cigarette Consumption in Developed Markets
- Increasing Anti-Smoking Regulations
- Competition from Other Tobacco Merchants
- Environmental Regulations
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- PYX
- AOI
Competitive Landscape
Universal Corporation has a significant advantage in size and global reach compared to its competitors. Its diversification efforts could provide a competitive edge.
Major Acquisitions
Silva International
- Year: 2019
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 170
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Universal's ingredients platform through the addition of value-added, specialty vegetable and fruit ingredients.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been moderate, primarily driven by the tobacco business, with recent efforts to diversify into ingredients.
Future Projections: Future projections are uncertain, depending on the success of the ingredients business and the ability to navigate challenges in the tobacco market.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding the ingredients business through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
Summary
Universal Corporation is the world's largest leaf tobacco merchant, relying heavily on that sector while trying to diversify. The ingredients segment is promising, and their relationships with tobacco companies are strong. Regulations on tobacco use remain a significant threat. The diversification could result in stability.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Universal Corporation Investor Relations
- Company SEC Filings
- Industry Reports
- Analyst Reports
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market conditions and company-specific factors can change rapidly. Consult with a financial professional before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Universal Corporation
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Richmond, VA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1988-01-05 | President, CEO & Chairman Mr. Preston Douglas Wigner | ||
Sector Consumer Defensive | Industry Tobacco | Full time employees 11400 | Website https://www.universalcorp.com |
Full time employees 11400 | Website https://www.universalcorp.com | ||
Universal Corporation, a business-to-business agriproducts company, provides leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients to food and beverage end markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. The Tobacco Operations segment is involved in procuring, processing, packing, storing, and shipping of flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental leaf tobacco for consumer product manufacturers, as well as provision of related services. This segment also offers specialty services, such as custom blending, chemical and physical testing of tobacco, service cutting, reconstituted leaf tobacco manufacturing, and just-in-time product delivery services; and liquid nicotine for tobacco products manufacturers, as well as recycled waste materials from tobacco production. The Ingredients Operations segment engages in the production of specialty plant-based ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates, pomaces, ciders, purees, nutraceuticals, fruit fibers, seeds, seed powders, dehydrated products, botanical extracts, distillates, natural flavors, colors, and other value-added products for consumer-packaged goods manufacturers and retailers, as well as food, beverage, and flavor companies. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.