Universal Corp 10-Q for FY2026 Q2
Universal Corp /Va/ (UVV)
10-Q
2025-11-05
For: 2025-09-30
View Original
Added on
April 10, 2026
About this 10-Q
Universal Corp filed this 10-Q on November 5, 2025, covering the quarter ended September 30, 2025 (FY2026 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended September 30, 2025, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $749.43M
- up 5.8% from $708.37M a year earlier
- Net income
- $34.17M
- up 31.7% from net income of $25.94M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $1.36
- up 32.0% from $1.03 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||||||||
| FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED | ||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||||||||
| FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________TO_______________ | ||||||||||||||
Commission File Number: 001-00652
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| þ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||||
| Smaller reporting company | Emerging growth company | ||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of November 3, 2025, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was 24,921,155 .
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Item No. | Page | |||||||
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||||
| 1. | ||||||||
| 2. | ||||||||
| 3. | ||||||||
| 4. | ||||||||
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||||
| 1. | ||||||||
| 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | |||||||
| 5. | ||||||||
6. | ||||||||
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and impairment costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other non-operating income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and other items | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 1.71 | $ | 1.05 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 25,035,110 | 24,946,632 | 25,017,765 | 24,911,681 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 25,178,546 | 25,135,973 | 25,155,627 | 25,101,295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
3
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of dollars, except share data)
| September 30, | September 30, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Advances to suppliers, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories—at lower of cost or net realizable value: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Land | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Buildings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other intangibles, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension asset | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
4
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of dollars, except share data)
| September 30, | September 30, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable and overdrafts | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer advances and deposits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pensions and other postretirement benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal Corporation: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock, no par value, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
5
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands of dollars)
| Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||
| Net provision for losses (recoveries) on advances to suppliers | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Inventory writedowns | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss, net | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange contracts | ( | |||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | |||||||||||||
| Equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends | ||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and impairment costs | ||||||||||||||
| Restructuring payments | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | |||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts and notes receivable | ( | |||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Income taxes | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Customer advances and deposits | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash used by operating activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of short-term debt, net | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid on common stock | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents | ( | |||||||||||||
| Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
6
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers. The Company is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and provides high-quality plant-based ingredients to food and beverage end markets. Because of the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations for any fiscal quarter will not necessarily be indicative of results to be expected for other quarters or a full fiscal year. All adjustments necessary to state fairly the results for the period have been included and were of a normal recurring nature. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Years
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires additional disclosures reconciling the rates of different categories of income tax (i.e. federal, state, foreign, etc.) and a disaggregation of taxes paid and refunded. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its income tax disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2024-03, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU 2024-03”). ASU 2024-03 requires additional disclosures about certain types of costs and expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2. RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS
Universal regularly reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. Restructuring and impairment costs are periodically incurred in connection with those activities.
Tobacco Operations
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company began consolidating its European sheet tobacco operations into the Company's facility in the Netherlands, by initiating a wind-down of activities at its sheet facility in Germany, incurring $10.5 million of restructuring and impairment costs. During the six months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized an additional $1.0 million of impairment costs related to the consolidation of the sheet tobacco operations. The Company also incurred $0.1
A summary of the restructuring and impairment costs recorded for the three and six months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee termination benefits | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total impairment costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring and impairment costs | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
7
NOTE 3. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The majority of the Company’s consolidated revenue consists of sales of processed leaf tobacco to customers. The Company also earns revenue from processing leaf tobacco owned by customers and from various other services provided to customers. Additionally, the Company has fruit and vegetable processing operations, as well as flavor and extract services that provide customers with a range of food ingredient products. Payment terms with customers vary depending on customer creditworthiness, product types, services provided, and other factors. Contract durations and payment terms for all revenue categories generally do not exceed one year. Therefore, the Company has applied a practical expedient to not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing components, as the Company expects that the period from the time the revenue for a transaction is recognized to the time the customer pays for the related good or service transferred will be one year or less. Below is a description of the major revenue-generating categories from contracts with customers.
Tobacco Sales
The majority of the Company’s business involves purchasing leaf tobacco from farmers in the regions where it is grown, processing and packing the tobacco in its factories, and then transferring ownership and control of the tobacco to customers. On a much smaller basis, the Company also sources processed tobacco from third-party suppliers for resale to customers. The contracts for tobacco sales with customers create a performance obligation to transfer tobacco to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of tobacco are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices, but the Company does have a small number of cost-plus contracts with certain customers. Cost-plus arrangements provide the Company reimbursement of the cost to purchase and process the tobacco, plus a contractually agreed-upon profit margin. The Company utilizes the most likely amount methodology under the accounting guidance to recognize revenue for cost-plus arrangements with customers. Shipping and handling costs under tobacco sales contracts with customers are treated as fulfillment costs and included in the transaction price. Under agreements with certain customers, the Company will act as the importer of record, incurring various additional costs associated with the import activity, including tariffs, and applying for drawback of those costs when possible. When the agreement with the customer provides for the reimbursement of those fees, the reimbursement is included in the transaction price. Taxes assessed by government authorities on the sale of leaf tobacco products are excluded from the transaction price. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the tobacco, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale.
Ingredient Sales
The Company has diversified operations through acquisition of established companies that offer customers a wide range of both liquid and dehydrated fruit and vegetable ingredient products, flavors, and botanical extracts. These operations procure raw materials from domestic and international growers and suppliers and through a variety of processing steps including sorting, cleaning, pressing, mixing, extracting, and blending to manufacture finished goods utilized in both human and pet food. The contracts for food ingredients with customers create a performance obligation to transfer the manufactured finished goods to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of food ingredients are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices, but the Company does have cost-plus contracts with certain customers. The Company utilizes the most likely amount methodology under the accounting guidance to recognize revenue for cost-plus arrangements with customers. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the finished product, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale.
Processing Revenue
Processing and packing of customer-owned tobacco and ingredients is a short-duration process. Processing charges are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices per unit of weight processed. Under normal operating conditions, customer-owned raw materials that are placed into the production line exits as processed and packed product and is then later transported to customer-designated transfer locations. The revenue for these services is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when processing is completed. The Company’s operating history and contract analyses indicate that customer requirements for processed tobacco and food ingredients products are consistently met upon completion of processing.
Other Sales and Revenue from Contracts with Customers
From time to time, the Company enters into various arrangements with customers to provide other value-added services that may include blending, chemical and physical testing of products, storage, logistics, sorting, and tobacco cutting services for select manufacturers. These other arrangements and operations are a much smaller portion of the Company’s business, and are separate and distinct contractual agreements from the Company’s tobacco and food ingredients sales or third-party processing arrangements with customers. The transaction prices and timing of revenue recognition of these items are determined by the specifics of each contract.
8
Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by significant revenue-generating category:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredient sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Processing revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other sales and revenue from contracts with customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating sales and revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated sales and other operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating sales and revenue consists principally of interest on advances to tobacco suppliers and dividend income from unconsolidated affiliates.
NOTE 4. OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Other Contingent Liabilities
Other Contingent Liabilities (Letters of credit)
The Company had other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $1 million at September 30, 2025, primarily related to outstanding letters of credit.
Value-Added Tax Assessments in Brazil
The Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) in connection with their operations, which generate tax credits that they normally are entitled to recover through offset, refund, or sale to third parties. In Brazil, VAT is assessed at the state level when green tobacco is transferred between states. The Company’s Brazilian operating subsidiary pays VAT when tobaccos grown outside the state of Rio Grande do Sul are transferred to the factory for processing. The subsidiary received assessments for additional VAT plus interest and penalties from tax authorities for the state of Parana based on audits of the subsidiary’s VAT filings for specified periods. Management of the subsidiary and outside counsel challenged the Parana assessment claims. In July 2025, a final and indisputable favorable ruling was issued by the Brazilian National Treasury Attorney's office declaring the Parana assessment without merit, requiring the state to withdraw and cancel all claims made against the Company's Brazilian operating subsidiary.
Other Legal and Tax Matters
Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management’s current expectation, the effect on the Company’s results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.
Advances to Suppliers
In many sourcing regions where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, seedlings, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production, or makes seasonal cash advances to farmers for the procurement of those inputs. These advances are short term, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. In several regions, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to suppliers totaled $135 million at September 30, 2025, $151 million at September 30, 2024, and $189 million at March 31, 2025. The related valuation allowances totaled $13 million at September 30, 2025, $11 million at September 30, 2024, and $18 million at March 31, 2025, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were decreased by net recoveries of $2.8 million and $5.6 million in the six-month periods ended September 30,
9
2025 and 2024, respectively. These net recoveries and provisions are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Interest on advances is recognized in earnings upon the farmers’ delivery of tobacco in payment of principal and interest.
Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits
In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of VAT on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At September 30, 2025, the aggregate balance of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $65 million ($63 million at September 30, 2024 and $64 million at March 31, 2025). The related valuation allowances totaled approximately $22
Stock Repurchase Program
On November 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $100 million in common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates through November 15, 2026, subject to market conditions and other factors. The program had $100 million of remaining capacity for repurchases of common stock at September 30, 2025.
Trade Receivable Sales
During fiscal year 2026, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain trade receivables, at its discretion, to a third-party financial institution at a discount. The transactions have no recourse and qualify as a true sale, meaning upon receipt of the settlement amount, the associated receivable is removed from the balance sheet and the discount is recognized as an expense in selling, general, and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. During the three months ended September 30, 2025, the Company sold $42.0 million of receivables and recorded a loss of $0.4 million.
10
NOTE 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee and outside director share-based awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 6. INCOME TAXES
The Company operates in the United States and many foreign countries and is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company’s earnings, as can the resolution of pending and contested tax issues. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by various factors, including the mix and timing of domestic and foreign earnings, discrete items, and the effect of exchange rate changes on taxes.
Numerous countries in which Company operates have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation to adopt a global minimum effective tax rate described in the Global Anti-Base Erosion framework rules, or Pillar Two, issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”). The Pillar Two legislation includes establishing a 15 % global minimum tax rate on a country-by-country basis and was effective for the Company's fiscal year 2025. The Company performed an assessment of the potential impact on income taxes from enactment of the Pillar Two legislation. Based on the assessment, the Company does not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements from the Pillar Two legislation in fiscal year 2026.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), (Public Law 119-21), was signed into law. The Company is still evaluating the potential impacts of the OBBBA; however, the Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Three and six months ended September 30, 2025
The Company's consolidated effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended September 30, 2025 was 24.4 % and 25.2 %, respectively.
Three and six months ended September 30, 2024
11
NOTE 7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
The Company's changes in goodwill at September 30, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
| (in thousands of dollars) | Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of fiscal year | $ | $ | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
The Company's intangible assets primarily consist of capitalized customer-related intangibles, trade names, proprietary developed technology and noncompetition agreements. The Company's intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at September 30, 2025 and 2024 and at March 31, 2025:
| (in thousands, except useful life) | September 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Useful Life (years) | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | — | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed technology | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncompetition agreements | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Useful Life (years) | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | — | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed technology | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncompetition agreements | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Useful Life (years) | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | — | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed technology | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncompetition agreements | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the asset's estimated useful economic life, as noted above.
The Company's amortization expense for intangible assets for the six months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was:
| (in thousands of dollars) | Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization Expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
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As of September 30, 2025, the expected future amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows:
| Fiscal Year (in thousands of dollars) | |||||
2026 (excluding the six months ended September 30, 2025) | $ | ||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| 2029 | |||||
| 2030 and thereafter | |||||
| Total expected future amortization expense | $ | ||||
NOTE 8. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Universal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Interest rate risk has been managed by entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts. However, the Company’s policy also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided (used) by operating activities.
Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk
In December 2022, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on two outstanding non-amortizing bank term loans that were funded as part of a new bank credit facility in December 2022. Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2025, the total notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $310 million, which corresponded to a portion of the aggregate outstanding balance of the term loans.
Previously, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges for two non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid concurrent with the entry into the Company's bank credit facility in December 2022. Those swap agreements, which had an aggregate notional amount of $370 million corresponding to a portion of the principal balance on the repaid loans, were terminated concurrent with the inception of the new swap agreements. The fair value of the previous swap agreements, approximately $11.8 million, was received from the counterparties upon termination and is being amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through the original maturity dates of those agreements. As of September 30, 2025, $0.7 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss to be amortized through December 31, 2025.
Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Sales of Crop Inputs, Forecast Purchases of Tobacco, and Related Processing Costs
The majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars. However, sales of crop inputs (such as seeds and fertilizers) to farmers, purchases of tobacco from farmers, and most processing costs (such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies where tobacco is grown and processed affect the ultimate U.S. dollar sales of crop inputs and cost of processed tobacco. From time to time, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to buy U.S. dollars and sell the local currency at future dates that coincide with the sale of crop inputs to farmers. In the case of forecast purchases of tobacco and the related processing costs, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. These strategies offset the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for sales of crop inputs, tobacco purchases, and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged. These hedging strategies have been used mainly for tobacco purchases, processing costs, and sales of crop inputs in Brazil. Additionally, the Company from time to time hedges a portion of the forecasted local currency-denominated operating costs in Brazil and Mexico by entering into derivative contracts to buy the local currencies and sell the U.S. dollar.
13
The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amounts of forward and option contracts entered into for these purposes during the six-month periods in fiscal years 2026 and 2025 was as follows:
| Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| (in millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Tobacco purchases | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Processing costs | ||||||||||||||
| Operating costs | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Fluctuations in exchange rates and in the amount and timing of fixed-price orders from customers for their purchases from individual crop years routinely cause variations in the U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered into from one year to the next. Contracts related to tobacco purchases and crop input sales were designated and qualified as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, changes in fair values of the forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold upon sale of the related tobacco to third-party customers. The Company de-designates ineffective tobacco purchases and crop input sales hedges to selling, general, and administrative expense when the forecasted tobacco purchases or crop input sales are no longer expected to occur.
The table below presents the expected timing of when the remaining accumulated other comprehensive gains and losses as of September 30, 2025 for cash flows hedges of tobacco purchases and crop input sales are expected to be recognized in earnings.
| Hedging Program | Crop Year | Geographic Location(s) | Fiscal Year Earnings | ||||||||
| Tobacco purchases | 2026 | Brazil | 2027 | ||||||||
| Tobacco purchases | 2025 | Brazil | 2026 | ||||||||
| Crop input sales | 2026 | Brazil | 2027 | ||||||||
| Crop input sales | 2025 | Brazil | 2026 | ||||||||
Forward contracts related to processing costs have not been designated as hedges, and gains and losses on those contracts have been recognized in earnings on a mark-to-market basis.
Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Net Local Currency Monetary Assets and Liabilities of Foreign Subsidiaries
Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These subsidiaries normally have certain monetary assets and liabilities on their balance sheets that are denominated in the local currency. Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances to farmers and suppliers, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, recoverable value-added taxes, operating lease liabilities, and other items. Net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars each reporting period, generating gains and losses that the Company records in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the year based on the operating cycle, but it is most common for monetary assets to exceed monetary liabilities, sometimes by a significant amount. When this situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are generated. Conversely, remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens against the U.S. dollar. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses, the Company enters into forward contracts to buy or sell the local currency at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are generally arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The Company is currently using forward currency contracts to manage its exposure to currency remeasurement risk in Brazil. The total notional amounts of contracts outstanding at September 30, 2025 and 2024, and March 31, 2025, were approximately $58.4 million, $88.5 million, and $17.7 million, respectively. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries may utilize short-term
14
local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities, thus hedging a portion of the overall position.
Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
15
Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effective Portion of Hedge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on terminated interest rate swaps amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings | Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ineffective Portion of Hedge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings | Selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedged Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description of hedged item | Floating rate interest payments on term loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flow Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effective Portion of Hedge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings | Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings | Selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedged Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of hedged item | Forecast purchases of tobacco and sales of crop inputs in Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in earnings | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings | Selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the interest rate swap agreements, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases and the crop input sales in Brazil, a net hedge loss of approximately $2.3 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2025. That balance reflects gains and losses on contracts related to the 2026 and 2025 Brazil crop, and the 2026 and 2025 Brazil crop input sales, less the amounts reclassified to earnings related to tobacco sold through September 30, 2025. Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change in the direct
16
cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer. Generally, margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected.
Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2025 and 2024, and March 31, 2025:
| Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position | Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value as of | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value as of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap agreements | Other non-current assets | $ | $ | $ | Other long-term liabilities | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange contracts | Other current assets | Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange contracts | Other current assets | $ | $ | $ | Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Substantially all of the Company's foreign exchange derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair values for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present.
Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists.
There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy:
| Level | Description | |||||||
| 1 | quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date; | |||||||
| 2 | quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and | |||||||
| 3 | unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. | |||||||
As permitted under the accounting guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of its money market funds. The fair values for those funds are presented under the heading "NAV" in the tables that follow in this disclosure. In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of
17
non-performance in determining fair value. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
At September 30, 2025 and 2024, and at March 31, 2025, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy or the NAV practical expedient:
| September 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Hierarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | NAV | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Hierarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | NAV | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Hierarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | NAV | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Money market funds
The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on NAV, which is the amount at which the funds are redeemable and is used as a practical expedient for fair value. These funds are not classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are disclosed as part of the fair value table above.
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans
Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds.
Interest rate swap agreements
The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Foreign currency exchange contracts
The fair values of forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Long-term Debt
The following table summarizes the fair and carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, and if applicable any current portion, at each of the balance sheet dates September 30, 2025, and 2024 and March 31, 2025:
| (in millions of dollars) | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair market value of long term obligations | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Carrying value of long term obligations | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis primarily relate to long-lived assets, right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities, goodwill and intangibles, and other current and noncurrent assets. These assets and liabilities fair values are also evaluated for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Accordingly, the nonrecurring measurement of the fair value of these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
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Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired.
Consolidation of tobacco sheet operations
As discussed in Note 2, the Company initiated a plan to consolidate the European Sheet tobacco operations into the Company's facility in the Netherlands. The Company is in the process of winding down its operations in Germany, resulting in an impairment charge of $4.9 million for the long-lived assets in fiscal year 2025, to reduce their carrying value to fair value. The long-lived assets primarily consist of a processing facility, machinery and equipment, and administrative offices. After reassessing the fair value of the long-lived assets associated with the operations in Germany, an additional $1.0 million impairment charge was recognized during three-month period ended June 30, 2025
NOTE 10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering eligible U.S. salaried employees and certain foreign and other employee groups. These plans provide retirement benefits based primarily on employee compensation and years of service. The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans that provide postretirement health and life insurance benefits for eligible U.S. employees attaining specific age and service levels, although postretirement life insurance is no longer provided for active employees.
The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
| Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amortization and deferral | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amortization and deferral | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
During the six months ended September 30, 2025, the Company made contributions of approximately $10.0 million to its pension plans. Additional contributions of $1.6 million are expected during the remaining six months of fiscal year 2026.
NOTE 11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company's shareholders approved the Universal Corporation 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) under which officers, directors, and employees of the Company may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share units (“PSUs”), stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. With the exception of new hires and promotions, the Company’s practice is to award grants of stock-based compensation to officers on an annual basis at the first regularly-scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior fiscal year. The Compensation Committee administers the Plan consistently, following previously defined guidelines.
20
In recent years, the Compensation Committee has awarded only grants of RSUs and PSUs. Awards of restricted stock, RSUs, and PSUs are currently outstanding.
RSUs awarded to officers and employees generally vest 3 years after the grant date. After vesting RSUs are paid out in shares of common stock. Under the terms of the RSU awards, grantees receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs that vest and are paid out on the same date as the original RSU grant. The PSUs vest at the end of a performance period of 3 years that begins with the year of the grant, are paid out in shares of common stock shortly after the vesting date, and do not carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting. Shares ultimately paid out under PSU grants are dependent on the achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from zero to 150 % of the stated award. The Company’s outside directors receive RSUs following the annual meeting of shareholders. RSUs awarded to outside directors vest 1 year after the grant date. Restricted shares vest upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director.
During the six-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company issued the following stock-based awards, representing the regular annual grants to officers and outside directors of the Company:
| Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| RSUs: | ||||||||||||||
| Number granted | ||||||||||||||
| Grant date fair value | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| PSUs: | ||||||||||||||
| Number granted | ||||||||||||||
| Grant date fair value | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Fair value expense for stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the period from grant date to the earlier of (1) the vesting date of the award or (2) the date the grantee is eligible to retire without forfeiting the award. For employees who are already eligible to retire at the date an award is granted, the total fair value of the award is recognized as expense at the date of grant. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. For the six-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $8.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The Company expects to recognize stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.6 million during the remaining six months of fiscal year 2026.
NOTE 12. OPERATING SEGMENTS
Management regularly evaluates the Company’s global business activities, including product and service offerings to its customers, as well as senior management’s operational and financial responsibilities. Assessments include an analysis of how its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) measures business performance and allocates resources. As a result of this analysis, senior management has determined the Company conducts operations across two reportable operating segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations.
The Tobacco Operations segment activities involve contracting, procuring, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco products throughout the world. Through various operating subsidiaries located in tobacco-growing countries around the world and significant ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates, the Company processes and/or sells flue-cured and burley tobaccos, dark air-cured tobaccos, and oriental tobaccos. Flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos are used principally in the manufacture of cigarettes, and dark air-cured tobaccos are used mainly in the manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products. Some of these tobacco types are also used in the manufacture of next generation tobacco products that are intended to provide consumers with an alternative to traditional combustible products. The Tobacco Operations segment also provides physical and chemical product testing for tobacco customers. A substantial portion of the Company’s Tobacco Operations’ revenues are derived from sales to a limited number of large, multinational cigarette and cigar manufacturers.
The Ingredients Operations segment provides its customers with a broad variety of plant-based ingredients for both human and pet consumption. The Ingredients Operations segment utilizes a variety of value-added manufacturing processes converting raw materials into a wide spectrum of fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates, dehydrated products, botanical extracts, and flavorings. Customers for the Ingredients Operations segment include large multinational food and beverage companies, smaller independent manufacturers, and retail organizations. FruitSmart, Inc. (“FruitSmart”), Silva International, Inc. (“Silva”),
21
and Shank’s Extracts, LLC d/b/a Universal Ingredients–Shank’s (“Universal Ingredients–Shank’s”) are the primary operations for the Ingredients Operations segment. FruitSmart supplies a broad set of juices, concentrates, pomaces, purees, fruit fibers, seeds, seed powders, and other value-added products to food, beverage, and flavor companies throughout the United States and internationally. Silva procures dehydrated vegetables, fruits, and herbs from around the world and specializes in processing natural materials into custom designed dehydrated vegetable and fruit-based ingredients for a variety of end products. Universal Ingredients–Shank’s offers a diversified portfolio of botanical extracts, distillates, natural flavors, and color for industrial and private label customers worldwide, and is known for their significant vanilla expertise. Universal Ingredients–Shank’s is also equipped to offer customers custom bottling and packaging for their products.
Universal incurs corporate overhead expenses related to senior management, sales, finance, legal, and other functions that are centralized at its corporate headquarters, as well as functions performed at several sales and administrative offices around the world. These overhead expenses are currently allocated to the reportable operating segments, generally on the basis of projected annual financial and operational performance, including volumes planned to be purchased and/or processed. Management believes this method of allocation is currently representative of the value of the related services provided to the operating segments. The CODM, which has been identified as a group comprised of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, currently evaluates the performance of the operating segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (“Segment Operating Income”). The CODM also uses Segment Operating Income for planning, forecasting, and allocating capital and other resources to the operating segments.
Reportable segment data as of, or for, each period presented in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, the consolidated balance sheets, and the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco Operations | Ingredients Operations | Consolidated | Tobacco Operations | Ingredients Operations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocated to the segments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (1) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring and impairment costs (2) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco Operations | Ingredients Operations | Consolidated | Tobacco Operations | Ingredients Operations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocated to the segments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates(1) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring and impairment costs (2) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Tobacco Operations), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
(2)Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. See Note 2 for additional information.
22
| Segment Assets | Accounts Receivable, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco Operations | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredients Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | Intangibles, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco Operations | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredients Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Expenditures | Depreciation and Amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco Operations | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredients Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
23
NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
| Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation: | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: | ||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency hedge: | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: | ||||||||||||||
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $( | ( | |||||||||||||
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Interest rate hedge: | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: | ||||||||||||||
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefit plans: | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: | ||||||||||||||
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
(1) Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco and crop input sales is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 8 for additional information.
(2) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the underlying debt, or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 8 for additional information.
(3) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 10 for additional information.
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NOTE 14. CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
A reconciliation of the changes in Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the three and six months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | Universal Corporation | Non-controlling Interests | Total | Universal Corporation | Non-controlling Interests | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of three-month period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrual of stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend equivalents on RSUs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend equivalents on RSUs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other changes in noncontrolling interests | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands of dollars) | Universal Corporation | Non-controlling Interests | Total | Universal Corporation | Non-controlling Interests | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrual of stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend equivalents on RSUs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend equivalents on RSUs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other changes in noncontrolling interests | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” or “Universal” or the “Company” refer to Universal Corporation together with its subsidiaries. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") and the following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, these statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, results of operation, and future business plans, operations, opportunities, and prospects. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in reports to shareholders. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “predict,” “estimate,” and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; reliance on a few large customers; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; tobacco growing conditions and customer requirements; major shifts in customer requirements for leaf tobacco; higher inflation rates, tariffs and other pressures on costs; weather and other conditions; exposure to certain legal, regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; industry-specific risks related to our plant-based ingredients businesses; disruption of our supply chain for our plant-based ingredients; success in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions and integration of new businesses and the impact of these new businesses on future results; our ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; our inability to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with our workforce; our dependence on a seasonal workforce; epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns; government efforts to regulate the production and consumption of tobacco products; government actions on the sourcing of leaf tobacco; economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our customers operate, including the ongoing impacts from international conflicts; sustainability considerations from governments and other stakeholders; changes in tax laws in the countries where we do business; material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; our inability to use a Form S-3 registration statement; failure of our customers or suppliers to repay extensions of credit; changes in exchange rates; changes in interest rates; and low investment performance by our defined benefit pension plan assets and changes in pension plan valuation assumptions. For a further description of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 (the "2025 Form 10-K"). We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this report, except as required by law. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our 2025 Form 10-K.
Amounts described as net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per diluted share in the following discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. Any references to adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, and the total for segment operating income (loss) are references to non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be considered as substitutes for operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, diluted earnings (loss) per share, cash from operating activities or any other operating or financial performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. Reconciliations of adjusted operating income (loss) to consolidated operating (income), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share to diluted earnings (loss) per share are provided in Other Items below to the extent these non-GAAP financial measures are referenced. In addition, we have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) in Note 12. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements. Management evaluates the consolidated Company and segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, can provide investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends. References to net debt, net capitalization, and net debt to net capitalization ratio are also references to non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered substitutes for total debt, total capitalization, total debt to total capitalization ratio, or any other operating or financial performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. Reconciliations of net debt to total debt and net capitalization to total capitalization are provided in Other Items below. We believe these non-GAAP measures are meaningful indicators of liquidity and financial position.
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Results of Operations
Overview
Revenue was up 3% and 6% and operating income was up 18% and down 2%, respectively, in the six months and quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2025. Our Tobacco Operations segment achieved solid results in the six months and quarter. Customer demand has remained firm following several years of undersupply, despite significantly larger tobacco crops. Tobacco buying has been completed in most key growing regions, and green tobacco prices have softened in certain regions compared to fiscal year 2025. Shipments are progressing smoothly, and current crop tobacco is being shipped earlier than in fiscal year 2025. Overall, we believe the segment has once again demonstrated effective management in navigating market dynamics.
Our Ingredients Operations segment maintained positive momentum, achieving higher sales and volume in both the quarter and six months ended September 30, 2025, as compared to the respective prior fiscal year periods. Continued interest in new value-added products has translated into an active pipeline, supported by Universal Ingredients' enhanced production and operational capabilities. Demand for our new products remains solid, while fixed costs, product mix, and market challenges, including weakness in the consumer-packaged goods industry and tariff uncertainty, had a negative impact on earnings. The segment’s proactive approach to meeting customers’ strategic needs, focusing on organic growth, and converting customer interest into sales is helping to build scale and generate returns on our investments. We believe the segment continues to be well-positioned to capitalize on its investments and drive future growth.
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Change | Six Months Ended September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of dollars, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | % | 2025 | 2024 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenue | $ | 754.2 | $ | 710.8 | 6 | % | $ | 1,347.9 | $ | 1,307.8 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | 614.3 | $ | 567.6 | 8 | % | $ | 1,094.0 | $ | 1,068.7 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit margin percentage | 18.5 | % | 20.1 | % | -160 bps | 18.8 | % | 18.3 | % | 50 bps | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 72.2 | $ | 63.8 | 13 | % | $ | 151.4 | $ | 142.5 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and impairment costs | $ | — | $ | 10.6 | (100) | % | $ | 1.1 | $ | 10.6 | (89) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 67.6 | $ | 68.7 | (2) | % | $ | 101.5 | $ | 86.0 | 18 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)* | $ | 67.6 | $ | 79.3 | (15) | % | $ | 102.6 | $ | 96.5 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | 34.2 | $ | 25.9 | 32 | % | $ | 42.7 | $ | 26.1 | 64 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income attributable to Universal Corporation (non-GAAP)* | $ | 34.2 | $ | 36.4 | (6) | % | $ | 43.8 | $ | 36.5 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.03 | 32 | % | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.04 | 63 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (non-GAAP)* | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.45 | (6) | % | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.46 | 19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco operations sales and other operating revenues | $ | 659.4 | $ | 630.2 | 5 | % | $ | 1,164.1 | $ | 1,142.2 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tobacco operations operating income | $ | 65.2 | $ | 77.3 | (16) | % | $ | 100.9 | $ | 91.8 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredients operations sales and other operating revenues | $ | 94.8 | $ | 80.6 | 18 | % | $ | 183.8 | $ | 165.6 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ingredients operations operating income (loss) | $ | (0.2) | $ | 1.3 | (112) | % | $ | 1.5 | $ | 4.2 | (64) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| *See Reconciliation of Certain non-GAAP Financial Measures in Other Items below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended September 30, 2025, compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
Consolidated Results
Revenue increased by 6%, or $43.4 million, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, primarily driven by higher tobacco and ingredients sales volumes.
Operating income decreased by 2%, or $1.1 million, in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, due to higher inventory write-downs of $7.5 million, unfavorable foreign currency comparisons of
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$5.1 million, and higher provisions for farmer advances of $2.0 million, but partially offset by a 3% increase in tobacco sales volumes coupled with lower sales commissions of $1.1 million.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were up by 13%, or $8.3 million, primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency comparisons of $5.1 million and higher provisions for farmer advances of $2.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Adjusted operating income was down by $11.7 million and adjusted net income attributable to Universal Corporation was down by $2.2 million, in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, largely on unfavorable foreign currency comparisons, higher inventory write-downs, and higher provisions for farmer advances.
Tobacco Operations Segment
Revenue increased by 5%, or $29.2 million, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, primarily on a 3% increase in tobacco sales volumes. Operating income for the Tobacco Operations segment decreased by 16%, or $12.1 million, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to second quarter of fiscal year 2025, on unfavorable foreign currency comparisons of $5.1 million, higher tobacco inventory write-downs of $4.0 million, and higher provisions for farmer advances of $2.0 million. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were higher by $6.4 million for the segment mainly due to unfavorable foreign currency comparisons of $5.1 million and higher provisions for farmer advances of $2.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Ingredients Operations Segment
Revenue for the Ingredients Operations segment increased by 18%, or $14.2 million, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, on higher sales volumes. Operating income for the segment decreased by 112%, or $1.5 million, as higher sales volumes were offset by product mix, higher inventory write-downs of $3.5 million and higher fixed costs, including depreciation from our recently expanded Universal Ingredients production facility. Weakness in the consumer-packaged good industry and tariff uncertainty also impacted results for the segment in the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Additional Items
Cost of goods sold increased by 8%, or $46.7 million, in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, largely on higher sales volumes and product mix.
Interest expense was down by 4%, or $0.8 million, in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, on lower interest rates and debt balances.
Restructuring and impairment costs of $10.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, were primarily related to the consolidation of the Company’s European tobacco sheet operations.
The consolidated effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was 24.4%. The consolidated tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was 28.6%.
Six Months Ended September 30, 2025, compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
Consolidated Results
Revenue increased by 3%, or $40.1 million, in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, on higher third-party tobacco processing volumes and accelerated shipments in our Tobacco Operations segment and higher sales volumes in Ingredients Operations segment.
Operating income increased by 18%, or $15.5 million, in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily driven by a favorable product mix in our Tobacco Operations segment.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were up by 6%, or $8.8 million, primarily due to higher compensation costs of $6.1 million, legal and professional fees of $5.0 million, and provisions for farmer advances of $2.8 million, which were
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partially offset by lower tobacco sales commissions of $3.9 million and favorable foreign currency comparisons of $2.2 million in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024.
Adjusted operating income was up by $6.1 million and adjusted net income attributable to Universal Corporation was up by $7.2 million, in the first half of fiscal year 2026, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, on a favorable product mix in the Tobacco Operations segment.
Tobacco Operations Segment
Revenue increased by 2%, or $22.0 million, for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, as increased third-party tobacco processing revenue offset a 1% decline in tobacco sales volumes. Higher sales and earlier shipments of current crop tobacco largely offset lower sales of carryover tobacco in the first half of fiscal year 2026, compared to the first half of fiscal year 2025. Operating income for the Tobacco Operations segment increased by 10%, or $9.1 million, for the first half of fiscal year 2026, compared to first half of fiscal year 2025, on a favorable product mix. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were higher by approximately $4.6 million for the segment mainly due to higher compensation costs of $4.3 million, legal and professional fees of $3.1 million, and provisions for farmer advances of $2.8 million, which were partially offset by lower tobacco sales commissions of $3.9 million and favorable foreign currency comparisons of $1.7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024. Uncommitted tobacco inventory levels remained low at about 13% of total tobacco inventory as of September 30, 2025.
Ingredients Operations Segment
Revenue for the Ingredients Operations segment increased by 11%, or $18.2 million, for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, on higher sales volumes. Operating income for the segment decreased by 64%, or $2.7 million, as higher sales volumes were offset by product mix, higher fixed costs, including depreciation from our recently expanded Universal Ingredients production facility, and higher inventory write-downs of $3.8 million. Weakness in the consumer-packaged good industry and tariff uncertainty also impacted the segment in the six months ended September 30, 2025.
Additional Items
Cost of goods sold increased by 2%, or $25.2 million, in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, largely due to product mix in our Tobacco Operations segment.
Interest expense was down by 9%, or $3.8 million, in the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2024, on lower interest rates and debt balances.
Restructuring and impairment costs of $1.1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2025, and $10.6 million in the six months ended September 30, 2024, were primarily related to the consolidation of the Company’s European tobacco sheet operations.
The consolidated effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2025, was 25.2%. The consolidated tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2024, was 31.5%. The consolidated effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2024, was higher than the consolidated tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2025, due to limitation of deductibility of certain compensation amounts.
Sustainability
Universal Corporation continues to make meaningful progress in its transition to renewable and lower emission energy sources. The Company has significantly expanded its use of clean electricity as an important element of its carbon transition plan. Expanded solar capacity has played a central role in this progress. On-site solar installations in Italy, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines have further strengthened Universal’s clean energy footprint.
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Other Items
Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
The following tables set forth certain non-recurring items included in reported results to reconcile adjusted operating income to consolidated operating income and adjusted net income to net income attributable to Universal Corporation:
| Adjusted Operating Income Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported: Consolidated operating income | $ | 67,649 | $ | 68,736 | $ | 101,462 | $ | 85,961 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring and impairment costs(1) | — | 10,573 | 1,122 | 10,573 | |||||||||||||||||||
| As Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) | $ | 67,649 | $ | 79,309 | $ | 102,584 | $ | 96,534 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Universal Corporation and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands except for per share amounts) | Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation | $ | 34,169 | $ | 25,940 | $ | 42,666 | $ | 26,070 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring and impairment costs(1) | — | 10,573 | 1,122 | 10,573 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total of non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes | — | 10,573 | 1,122 | 10,573 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments to income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit from restructuring and impairment costs(2) | — | (132) | (35) | (132) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total of income tax impacts for non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes | — | (132) | (35) | (132) | |||||||||||||||||||
| As adjusted: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation (non-GAAP) | $ | 34,169 | $ | 36,381 | $ | 43,753 | $ | 36,511 | |||||||||||||||
| As reported: Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.04 | |||||||||||||||
| As adjusted: Diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.46 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Restructuring and impairment costs are included in Consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income, but excluded for purposes of Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income available to Universal Corporation, and Adjusted diluted earnings per share.
(2) The income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments was determined based on the timing and nature of the specific non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional income tax rates (foreign, state, and local) and the applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. The Company considers current and deferred income tax rates to calculate the impact to income taxes for the non-GAAP adjustments.
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The following table reconciles total debt to net debt and net capitalization:
| Net Debt and Net Capitalization Reconciliation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Notes payable and overdrafts | $ | 539,583 | $ | 579,132 | $ | 455,039 | ||||||||||||||
| Add: Long-term obligations | 618,196 | 617,641 | 617,918 | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Current portion of long-term obligations | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Debt | 1,157,779 | 1,196,773 | 1,072,957 | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Customer advances and deposits | 2,782 | 6,837 | 3,763 | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 88,652 | 80,118 | 260,115 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Debt (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,071,909 | $ | 1,123,492 | $ | 816,605 | ||||||||||||||
| Add: Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity | 1,469,982 | 1,420,566 | 1,458,556 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Capitalization (non-GAAP) | $ | 2,541,891 | $ | 2,544,058 | $ | 2,275,161 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Debt/Net Capitalization (non-GAAP) | 42 | % | 44 | % | 36 | % | ||||||||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our liquidity and operating capital resource requirements are predominantly short term in nature and primarily relate to working capital for tobacco crop purchases. Working capital needs are seasonal within each geographic region. The geographic dispersion and the timing of working capital needs permit us to predict our general level of cash requirements, although tobacco crop sizes, prices paid to farmers, shipment and delivery timing, and currency fluctuations affect requirements each year. Peak working capital requirements are generally reached during the first and second fiscal quarters. Each geographic area follows a cycle of buying, processing, and shipping tobacco to customers, and in many regions, we also provide agricultural materials to farmers during the growing season. The timing of the elements of each cycle is influenced by such factors as local weather conditions and individual customer shipping requirements, which may change the level or the duration of crop financing. Despite a predominance of short-term needs, we maintain a portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk. We also periodically have large cash balances that we utilize to meet our working capital requirements.
The first half of our fiscal year is usually a period of significant working capital investment in Africa, South America, and the United States as tobacco crops are delivered by farmers. Our working capital needs followed this pattern in the six months ended September 30, 2025, and we funded these working capital needs using a combination of cash on hand, short-term borrowings, customer advances, account receivables factoring, and operating cash flows. In contrast, in the six months ended September 30, 2024, certain tobacco purchases that would have typically been made in the first half of fiscal year 2025 had been made earlier due to market conditions, which reduced required working capital investments in the six months ended September 30, 2024.
Operating Activities
Net cash used by our operations was $172.4 million during the six months ended September 30, 2025. That amount was $124.9 million higher than during the same period in fiscal year 2025, primarily on lower working capital requirements in the six months ended September 30, 2024. Tobacco inventory levels increased by $332.3 million from March 31, 2025 levels to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2025, on seasonal leaf tobacco purchases. Tobacco inventory levels at September 30, 2025, were up $68.0 million, compared to September 30, 2024 levels, on larger crop sizes partially offset by some earlier tobacco shipments in fiscal year 2026. We generally do not purchase material quantities of tobacco on a speculative basis, and we target committed inventory levels of 80% or more of total tobacco inventory. Our level of committed inventory percentages is influenced by timing of farmer deliveries of new crops, as well as the receipt of customer orders. In addition, when we contract directly with tobacco farmers, we are often obligated to buy all stalk positions, which may contain less marketable leaf styles. As of September 30, 2025, our uncommitted tobacco inventories were $144.2 million, or about 13% of total tobacco inventory, compared to $164.0 million, or about 20% of our tobacco inventory as of March 31, 2025, and $108.0 million, or about 10% of our tobacco inventory as of September 30, 2024.
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Our balance sheet accounts reflected seasonal patterns in the six months ended September 30, 2025, on deliveries of tobacco crops by farmers in Africa, South America, and the United States. Accounts receivable decreased by $180.6 million from March 31, 2025 levels, on collections on receivables offset in part by tobacco crop shipments. Advances to suppliers were $121.6 million at September 30, 2025, a reduction of $47.8 million from March 31, 2025, as tobacco crops were delivered in payment on some of those balances, net of new balances for upcoming tobacco crops. Accounts receivable--unconsolidated affiliates were $106.9 million higher as of September 30, 2025, compared to March 31, 2025, on larger tobacco crops. Notes payable and overdrafts were up $84.5 million from March 31, 2025 levels, on seasonal working capital needs.
Accounts receivable were $92.3 million lower as of September 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024, on customer mix. Accounts receivable--unconsolidated affiliates were $47.4 million higher as of September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, on larger tobacco crop sizes. Notes payable and overdrafts were down $39.5 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024, due to earlier crop shipments, collections on accounts receivable, and accounts receivable factoring.
Investing Activities
Our capital allocation strategy focuses on four strategic priorities: strengthening and investing for growth in our leaf tobacco business; increasing our strong dividend; exploring growth opportunities for our ingredients business; and returning excess capital to our shareholders. In deciding where to invest capital resources, we look for opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return as well as leverage our assets and expertise or enhance our farmer base. Our capital expenditures are generally limited to those that add value, replace or maintain equipment, increase efficiency, or position us for future growth. During the six ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, we invested approximately $21.1 million and $38.8 million, respectively, in our property, plant and equipment. Depreciation expense was approximately $22.0 million and $23.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Typically, our capital expenditures for maintenance projects are less than $30 million per fiscal year. In addition, from time to time, we undertake projects that require capital expenditures when we identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, invest in sustainability projects, add value for our customers, and position ourselves for future growth. We currently expect to spend approximately $45 to $55 million over the next twelve months on capital projects for maintenance of our facilities and other investments to grow and improve our businesses.
Our Board of Directors approved our current share repurchase program in November 2024. The program authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through November 15, 2026. Under the current authorization, we may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Repurchases of shares under the repurchase program may vary based on management discretion, as well as changes in cash flow generation and availability. During the three months ended September 30, 2025, we did not purchase any shares of common stock. As of September 30, 2025, our available authorization under our current share repurchase program was $100 million.
Financing Activities
At September 30, 2025, we had $1.2 billion in total debt outstanding, a decrease of $39.0 million compared to September 30, 2024. We consider the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including any current portion), and customer advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also consider our net debt plus shareholders' equity to be our net capitalization. Net debt decreased by $51.6 million to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024. Net debt as a percentage of net capitalization was 42% at September 30, 2025, down from 44% at September 30, 2024, and up from 36% at March 31, 2025.
As of September 30, 2025, we had $88.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, $340 million available under our committed revolving credit facility that will mature in December 2027, and we, together with our consolidated affiliates, had approximately $166 million in available, uncommitted credit lines. The financial covenants under our committed revolving credit facility require us to maintain certain levels of tangible net worth and observe restrictions on debt levels. Based on our September 30, 2025 financial statements, we were in compliance with all financial covenants of our debt agreements as of September 30, 2025. We have no long-term debt maturing until fiscal year 2028.
Our seasonal working capital requirements for our tobacco business typically increase significantly between March and September and decline after mid-fiscal year. Available capital resources from our cash balances, committed revolving credit facility, and uncommitted credit lines are expected to exceed our normal working capital needs and currently anticipated capital expenditure requirements over the next twelve months and beyond.
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Derivatives
From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2025, the fair value of our outstanding interest rate swap agreements was a liability of about $1.0 million, and the notional amount swapped was $310 million. We entered into these agreements to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on a portion of our variable-rate term loans. Under the swap agreements we receive variable rate interest and pay fixed rate interest. The swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
We also use derivative instruments from time to time to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, primarily related to forecasted purchases of tobacco, related processing costs, and crop input sales, as well as our net monetary balance sheet exposures in local currency. We generally account for our hedges of forecasted tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2025, the fair value of our open hedges for forecasted tobacco purchases and crop inputs was a net asset of approximately $0.2 million. We had forward contracts outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was a net liability of approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2025.
Critical Accounting Estimates
A summary of our critical accounting policies is included in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our 2025 Form 10-K. Our critical accounting policies have not changed from those reported in the 2025 Form 10-K.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes to the Company's market risk during the three months ended September 30, 2025. For a discussion of the Company's exposure to market risk, refer to the Company's market risk disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of the 2025 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s management, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as a result of the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting described below, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Due to inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or misstatements in the financial statements, and even control procedures that are determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions.
As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(c), the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other members of management, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2025. The evaluation was based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “2013 COSO Framework”). Based on its assessment, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2025, due to the material weakness described below.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The Company’s management determined that the internal controls at one of the Company’s tobacco subsidiaries were not effectively documented and executed to ensure that the existence of all dark air-cured tobacco inventories subject to physical inventory counts were appropriately counted, and management determined that the controls related to the compilation and reconciliation of the related inventory to ensure complete and accurate reporting of inventory in the consolidated financial statements were not effective.
While the material weakness did not result in a material misstatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 or the quarter ended September 30, 2025, there is a reasonable possibility that these deficiencies could have resulted in a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Notwithstanding the material weakness, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K were fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for each of the periods presented. Therefore, no restatement of any prior period financial statements was required.
Remediation Plan
To remediate the material weakness described above, the Company is in the process of implementing the following remediation steps at the tobacco subsidiary:
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1.Require enhanced documentation associated with management review controls and validation of the completeness and accuracy of key reports used across the inventory process, including physical inventory counts.
2.Design and implement additional reports to be utilized in inventory reconciliation controls at the subsidiary.
The Company believes these measures, once they have operated effectively for a sufficient period of time, will remediate the control deficiencies identified and strengthen its internal control over financial reporting. However, there may not be sufficient time for the Company to remediate the material weakness or, if remediated, to test the operating effectiveness of the remediated controls as of the Company’s next fiscal year end. As the Company continues to evaluate, and works to improve, its internal control over financial reporting, management may determine that additional measures to address control deficiencies or modifications to the remediation plan are necessary. The Company cannot assure you, however, when it will remediate such weakness, nor can it be certain whether additional actions will be required or the costs of any such actions. Moreover, the Company cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for the material weakness and implementation of the remediation plan described above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Other Legal Matters
Some of our subsidiaries are involved in litigation or legal matters incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we are vigorously defending them and do not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to our current expectation, the effect on our results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2025 Form 10-K. In evaluating our risks, readers should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our 2025 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results, in addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY
The following table sets forth repurchased shares of our common stock during the three-month period ended September 30, 2025:
Period (1) | Total Number of Shares Repurchased | Average Price Paid Per Share (2) | Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3) | Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1-31, 2025 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1-31, 2025 | — | — | — | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1-30, 2025 | — | — | — | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | — | $ | — | — | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Repurchases are based on the date the shares were traded. This presentation differs from the consolidated statement of cash flows, where the cost of share repurchases is based on the date the transactions were settled.
(2)Amounts listed for average price paid per share include broker commissions paid in the transactions.
(3)On November 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors, approved a stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $100 million in common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions through November 15, 2026, subject to market conditions and other factors. The program had $100 million of remaining capacity for repurchases of common stock at September 30, 2025.
Our current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future. However, the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of common stock is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our future earnings, financial condition, and capital requirements. Under certain provisions of our credit facilities, we must meet financial covenants relating to minimum tangible net worth and maximum levels of debt. If we were not in compliance with them, these financial covenants could restrict our ability to pay dividends. We were in compliance with all such covenants at September 30, 2025.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
During the three months ended September 30, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adop ted or terminated
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| 10.1† | ||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 32.2 | ||||||||
| 101 | Interactive Data File (submitted electronically herewith).* | |||||||
| 101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section and shall not be part of any registration or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. | ||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | |||||||
__________
*Filed herewith
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION | |||||||||||
(Registrant) | |||||||||||
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Johan C. Kroner | |||||||||
| Johan C. Kroner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Scott J. Bleicher | |||||||||
| Scott J. Bleicher, Vice President and Controller | |||||||||||
| (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Preston D. Wigner, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Corporation for the period ended September 30, 2025;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of the annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Preston D. Wigner | ||||||
| Preston D. Wigner | ||||||||
| Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Johan C. Kroner, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Corporation for the period ended September 30, 2025;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of the annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Johan C. Kroner | ||||||
| Johan C. Kroner | ||||||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2025 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Preston D. Wigner, certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Preston D. Wigner | ||||||
| Preston D. Wigner | ||||||||
| Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2025 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Johan C. Kroner, certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | /s/ Johan C. Kroner | ||||||
| Johan C. Kroner | ||||||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.