Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Nature Of Operations [Policy Text Block]

Nature of Operations

Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. The Company conducts business in over 30 countries, primarily in major tobacco-producing regions of the world.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Corporation and all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling financial interest. Control is generally determined based on a voting interest of greater than 50%, such that Universal controls all significant corporate activities of the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The equity method of accounting is used for investments in companies where Universal Corporation has a voting interest of 20% to 50%. These investments are accounted for under the equity method because Universal exercises significant influence over those companies, but not control. The Company received dividends totaling $3.4 million in fiscal year 2016, $5.2 million in fiscal year 2015, and $6.5 million in fiscal year 2014, from companies accounted for under the equity method. Investments where Universal has a voting interest of less than 20% are not significant and are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, the Company recognizes earnings upon its receipt of dividends to the extent they represent a distribution of retained earnings.

The Company's 49% ownership interest in Socotab L.L.C. (“Socotab”), a leading supplier of oriental tobaccos with operations located principally in Eastern Europe and Turkey, is the primary investment accounted for under the equity method. The investment in Socotab is an important part of the Company's overall product and service arrangements with its major customers. As discussed further below, the Company reviews the carrying value of its investments in unconsolidated affiliates on a regular basis and considers whether any factors exist that might indicate an impairment in value that is other than temporary. At March 31, 2016, the Company determined that no such factors existed with respect to the investment in Socotab. The Company, together with Socotab management, regularly evaluates the outlook for the business, and an impairment charge could be recorded in a future period if it is determined that the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is not temporary.

In fiscal year 2006, the Company deconsolidated its operations in Zimbabwe under accounting requirements that apply under certain conditions to foreign subsidiaries that are subject to foreign exchange controls and other government restrictions. Since that time, the investment has been accounted for using the cost method, as required under the accounting guidance. The investment in the Zimbabwe operations was zero at March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company has a net foreign currency translation loss associated with the Zimbabwe operations of approximately $7.2 million, which remains a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a regular part of its reporting, the Company reviews the conditions that resulted in the deconsolidation of the Zimbabwe operations to confirm that such accounting treatment is still appropriate. Dividends from the Zimbabwe operations are recorded in income in the period received.

The Company holds less than a 100% financial interest in certain consolidated subsidiaries. The net income and shareholders’ equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiaries are reported on the face of the consolidated financial statements. During fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, there were no changes in the Company’s ownership percentage in any of these subsidiaries.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

The Company’s equity method investments and its cost method investments, which include its Zimbabwe operations, are non-marketable securities. Universal reviews such investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recovered. For example, the Company would review such an investment for impairment if the investee were to lose a significant customer, suffer a large reduction in sales margins, experience a major change in its business environment, or undergo any other significant change in its normal business. In assessing the recoverability of equity or cost method investments, the Company follows the applicable accounting guidance in determining the fair value of the investments. In most cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). If the fair value of an equity or cost method investee is determined to be lower than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized. The determination of fair value using discounted cash flow models is normally not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore requires significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, and therefore could increase or decrease any impairment charge related to these investments.

In its consolidated statements of income, the Company reports its proportional share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method based on the pretax earnings of those affiliates, as permitted under the applicable accounting guidance. All applicable foreign and U.S. income taxes are provided on these earnings and reported as a component of consolidated income tax expense. For unconsolidated affiliates located in foreign jurisdictions, repatriation of the Company’s share of the earnings through dividends is assumed in determining consolidated income tax expense.

The following table provides a reconciliation of (1) equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as reported in the consolidated statements of income to (2) equity in the net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:



	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income	$	5,422		$	7,137		$	3,897
Less: Equity in income taxes	(2,156		)	(834		)	(809		)
Equity in net income	3,266			6,303			3,088
Less: Dividends received on investments⁽¹⁾	(3,422		)	(5,228		)	(6,508		)
Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	(156	)	$	1,075		$	(3,420	)


⁽¹⁾	In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings per share based on earnings available to common shareholders after payment of dividends on the Company’s Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. The calculation uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a similar manner using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. Dilutive potential common shares are outstanding dilutive stock options and stock appreciation rights that are assumed to be exercised, unvested restricted stock units and performance share awards that are assumed to be fully vested and paid out in shares of common stock, and shares of convertible perpetual preferred stock that are assumed to be converted when the effect is dilutive. In periods when the effect of the convertible perpetual preferred stock is dilutive and these shares are assumed to be converted into common stock, dividends paid on the preferred stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Calculations of earnings per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, are provided in Note 3.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Advances to Suppliers [Policy Text Block]

Advances to Suppliers

In many sourcing origins where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, 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 origins, 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 approximately $134 million at March 31, 2016, and $156 million at March 31, 2015. The related valuation allowances totaled $29 million at March 31, 2016, and $35 million at March 31, 2015, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by net provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $0.8 million in fiscal year 2016, $3.7 million in fiscal year 2015, and $5.5 million in fiscal year 2014. These 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. Advances on which interest accrual had been discontinued totaled approximately $11 million at March 31, 2016, and $15 million at March 31, 2015.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Tobacco inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Raw materials primarily consist of unprocessed leaf tobacco, which is clearly identified by type and grade at the time of purchase. The Company tracks the costs associated with this tobacco in the final product lots, and maintains this identification through the time of sale. This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method. The predominant cost component of the Company’s inventories is the cost of the unprocessed tobacco. Direct and indirect processing costs related to these raw materials are capitalized and allocated to inventory in a systematic manner. The Company does not capitalize any interest or sales-related costs in inventory. Freight costs are recorded in cost of goods sold. Other inventories consist primarily of seed, fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies, and are valued principally at the lower of average cost or market.

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits [Policy Text Block]

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits

In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“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 March 31, 2016 and 2015, the aggregate balances of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $52 million and $60 million, respectively, and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $19 million and $23 million, respectively. The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation of plant and equipment is based upon historical cost and the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation is calculated primarily using the straight-line method. Buildings include tobacco processing and blending facilities, offices, and warehouses. Machinery and equipment consists of processing and packing machinery and transport, office, and computer equipment. Estimated useful lives range as follows: buildings - 15 to 40 years; processing and packing machinery - 3 to 11 years; transport equipment - 3 to 10 years; and office and computer equipment - 3 to 10 years. Where applicable and material in amount, the Company capitalizes related interest costs during periods that property, plant and equipment are being constructed or made ready for service. No interest was capitalized in fiscal years 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and other intangibles principally consist of the excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the fair value of the net assets. Goodwill is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”) permits companies to base their initial assessments of potential goodwill impairment on qualitative factors, and the Company elected to use that approach at March 31, 2016 and 2015. Those factors did not indicate any potential impairment of the Company's recorded goodwill.

Reporting units are distinct operating subsidiaries or groups of subsidiaries that typically compose the Company’s business in a specific country or location. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units based on the country or location to which a specific acquisition relates, or by allocation based on expected future cash flows if the acquisition relates to more than one country or location. The majority of the Company’s goodwill relates to its reporting unit in Brazil. Significant adverse changes in the operations or estimated future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill could result in an impairment charge. No charges for goodwill impairment were recorded in fiscal years 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Intangible Assets, Impairment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of 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. Potential impairment is initially assessed by comparing management’s undiscounted estimates of future cash flows from the use or disposition of the assets to their carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its fair value determined in accordance with the accounting guidance. In many cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models that are not based on observable market data from independent sources (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). No significant charges for impairment of long-lived assets were recorded during fiscal years 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company provides deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the book and tax basis of its assets and liabilities. Those differences arise principally from employee benefit accruals, depreciation, deferred compensation, undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, goodwill, and valuation allowances on farmer advances and value-added tax credits.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, disclosed in Note 6, approximates the carrying amount since the variable interest rates in the underlying credit agreement reflect the market interest rates that were available to the Company at March 31, 2016. In periods when fixed-rate obligations are outstanding, fair values are estimated using market prices where they are available and discounted cash flow models based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar classes of borrowers and borrowing arrangements. The fair values of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges and used to fix the variable benchmark rate on outstanding long-term debt are determined separately and recorded in other long-term liabilities. Except for interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are discussed below, the fair values of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used from time to time to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company enters into such contracts only with counterparties of good standing. The credit exposure related to non-performance by the counterparties and the Company is considered in determining the fair values of the derivatives, and the effect has not been material to the financial statements or operations of the Company. Additional disclosures related to the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities are provided in Note 8.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Translation and Remeasurement of Foreign Currencies

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the local currency as the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates applicable to each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss.

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, with certain transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currency amounts into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement gains and losses that are included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense. The Company recognized net remeasurement losses of $22.5 million in fiscal year 2016, $28.8 million in fiscal year 2015, and $14.3 million in fiscal year 2014.

Foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges generate gains and losses when they are settled or when they are marked to market under the prescribed accounting guidance. These transaction gains and losses are also included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company recognized net foreign currency transaction gains of $8.0 million in fiscal year 2016, net transaction gains of $17.7 million in fiscal year 2015, and net transaction losses of $6.0 million in fiscal year 2014.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of tobacco is recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer and the earnings process is complete. Substantially all sales revenue is recorded based on the physical transfer of products to customers. A large percentage of the Company’s sales are to major multinational manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The Company works closely with those customers to understand and plan for their requirements for volumes, styles, and grades of leaf tobacco from its various growing regions, and extensive coordination is maintained on an ongoing basis to determine and satisfy their requirements for physical shipment of processed tobacco. In most cases, customers request shipment within a relatively short period of time after the tobacco is processed and packed. The customers also specify, in sales contracts and in shipping documents, the precise terms for transfer of title and risk of loss for the tobacco. Customer returns and rejections are not significant, and the Company’s sales history indicates that customer-specific acceptance provisions are consistently met upon transfer of title and risk of loss.

While most of the Company’s revenue consists of tobacco that is purchased from farmers, processed and packed in its factories, and then sold to customers, some revenue is earned from processing tobacco owned by customers. These arrangements usually exist in specific markets where the customers contract directly with farmers for leaf production, and they have accounted for less than 5% of total revenue on an annual basis through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Processing and packing of leaf tobacco is a short-duration process. Under normal operating conditions, raw tobacco that is placed into the production line exits as processed and packed tobacco within one hour, and is then transported to customer-designated storage facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when processing is completed, and the Company’s operating history indicates that customer requirements for processed tobacco are consistently met upon completion of processing.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

Share-based payments, such as grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share awards, are measured at fair value and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite service period. Additional disclosures related to stock-based compensation are included in Note 12.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Pronouncements

Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" ("ASU 2015-17"). ASU 2015-17 eliminates the current requirement for an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities, deferred tax assets, and valuation allowances be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Early adoption of ASU 2015-17 is permitted, and the Company made the required balance sheet presentation change effective for March 31, 2016 and all prior comparative periods.

Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes substantially all of the current revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). ASU 2014-09 was developed under a joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to improve and converge the existing revenue recognition accounting guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards. Under ASU 2014-09, the central underlying principle is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers at an amount determined by the consideration a company expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance outlines a five-step process for determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized from those arrangements. It is more principles-based than the existing guidance under U.S. GAAP, and therefore is expected to require more management judgment and involve more estimates than the current guidance. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including all interim periods within the year of adoption. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several amendments to provide additional supplemental guidance on certain aspects of the original pronouncement. Universal expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 and the related supplemental amendments effective April 1, 2018, which is the beginning of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and the related amendments will have on its consolidated financial statements and has not made a decision on the method of adoption.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2015. The Company will make the required balance sheet presentation change upon adoption of ASU 2015-03 effective for the quarter ending June 30, 2016, which is the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 requires that most inventory be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as the "estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation." ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements. ASU 2015-11 will be applied prospectively after the date of adoption, as required by the guidance.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 “Financial Instruments-Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” ("ASU 2016-01"). ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize lease payment obligations as a lease liability and the corresponding right-of-use asset as a leased asset in the balance sheet for the term of the lease. This guidance supersedes Topic 840 “Leases” and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective April 1, 2019, which is the beginning of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, and is currently evaluating the impact that the updated guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)" ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 provides simplification for the accounting for employee stock-based payment transactions, including the related income tax consequences, the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and the classification of transactions in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of ASU 2016-09 is permitted, and the Company expects to adopt the new guidance effective April 1, 2016, which is the beginning of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.