EX-99.1 2 uvv-exhibit991x20180331xea.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit
EXHIBIT 99.1
universalcorpbluepms2a02.jpg
P.O. Box 25099 ~ Richmond, VA 23260 ~ Phone: (804) 359-9311 ~ Fax: (804) 254-3584
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
P R E S S R E L E A S E
CONTACT:
Candace C. Formacek
RELEASE:
4:15 p.m. ET
 
Phone: (804) 359-9311
 
 
 
Fax: (804) 254-3584
 
 
 
Email: investor@universalleaf.com
 
 

Universal Corporation Reports Annual Results
Richmond, VA • May 23, 2018 / PRNEWSWIRE
___________________________________________________________________________________
George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), reported that net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, was $105.7 million, or $4.14 per diluted share, compared with $106.3 million, or $0.88 per diluted share for the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The fiscal year 2017 results included a one-time reduction of earnings available to common shareholders of $74.4 million, or $2.99 per diluted share, from the conversion for cash of the remaining outstanding shares of our Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock under the mandatory conversion in January 2017. That reduction, the effect of a reduction in income tax expense from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, and certain other non-recurring items are detailed in Other Items below. Excluding those items, diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2018 of $3.96 decreased by $0.01 compared to the same period last year. Operating income of $171.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2018, decreased by $6.9 million compared to the year ended March 31, 2017.  Segment operating income was $180.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $7.9 million, compared to the year ended March 31, 2017, as improved results in our Other Regions and Other Tobacco Operations segments were offset by declines in our North America segment. Revenues of $2.0 billion for fiscal year 2018 were down only 1.8% compared to fiscal year 2017, as lower volumes, primarily in Africa, were largely offset by higher sales prices and processing revenues.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2018, was $30.5 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, compared with net income for the prior year’s fourth fiscal quarter of $32.9 million, or a loss of $1.64 per diluted share. Results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, also included the one-time reduction of earnings available to common shareholders of $74.4 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, discussed above. That one-time reduction and certain other non-recurring items are detailed in Other Items below. Excluding those items, diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, of $1.44 increased by $0.16

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compared to the same period last year. Operating income of $60.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, was up $0.5 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Segment operating income was $62.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, an increase of $2.3 million, compared to the same period last fiscal year, on modest improvements in the Other Regions and Other Tobacco Operations segments, partially offset by declines in the North America segment. Consolidated revenues decreased by $42.5 million to $607.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in the prior year, on lower sales volumes, partly offset by higher processing revenues and green leaf prices.
 
Mr. Freeman stated, “We are pleased with our good results for fiscal year 2018. Net income remained steady at about $106 million, despite modestly lower lamina volumes and a slight decline in operating income to $171 million, compared to fiscal year 2017. We also continued to grow our market share and expand the services we provide our customers, including gaining new multi-year processing commitments in Brazil. In addition, we rewarded our shareholders by increasing our dividend rate last November and returning almost $55 million through dividends and repurchasing about $22 million, or 2%, of our outstanding common stock. Fiscal year 2018 was not without its challenges as fewer carryover crop sales and shipment delays in North America, African burley crop sizes that were down more than 40% over the prior year, and a $10 million reduction in income from the timing of receipt of distributions of unconsolidated subsidiaries compared to the prior fiscal year, negatively impacted our results. However, we did benefit from a return to normal crop volumes in Brazil, and the resultant gains from higher volumes and lower factory unit costs there.

“Although our working capital requirements were higher in fiscal year 2018, we maintained our strong balance sheet. Our uncommitted inventory levels, at March 31, 2018, remained within our target range, and we are currently using some of our cash balances to fund the fiscal year 2019 crop. We expect our working capital requirements will be higher in fiscal year 2019 due to the recovery of the African burley crops and strong demand for wrapper tobacco, which has a longer life cycle.

“The next crop cycle, which will be reflected in our fiscal year 2019 results, has begun with green tobacco purchases in Brazil. Farmer deliveries there are a little slower this year, but the crop quality is very good. We are also seeing the recovery of African burley production volumes and improved North American shipments, and if the global leaf market remains stable, we expect higher total sales volumes for fiscal year 2019.

“We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our company this year. For one hundred years, we have had a rich history of adapting to change, finding innovative solutions to serve our customers and meet their leaf tobacco needs, and achieving results that benefit all of our stakeholders. Although we operate in a mature industry, our mission is to remain the world’s leading independent leaf tobacco supplier. In recent years, we have increased our market share and enhanced the range of services we provide to certain customers, including direct buying, agronomic support, and specialized processing services. We are continually exploring options to capitalize on the strengths of our core competencies and seek growth opportunities in and related to tobacco and our global operations. As we move into our next 100 years, we will continue our commitment to leadership in setting industry standards, operating with transparency, providing products that are responsibly-sourced, and investing in and strengthening the communities where we operate.”

The Company also announced an enhanced capital allocation strategy and an increased dividend in a separate press release today.

FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:
OTHER REGIONS:
Operating income for the Other Regions segment improved by $3.9 million to $147.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. The improvement was driven by lower selling, general, and administrative expenses and higher processing revenues, largely

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Universal Corporation
Page 3

offset by lower sales volumes and other revenues from the receipt of distributions from unconsolidated affiliates. In South America, total lamina sales volumes were up for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, on higher current crop sales partly offset by reduced carryover crop sales. The higher current year crop volumes also increased processing revenues and improved margins from reduced factory unit costs there. Results for the Africa region for the year ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year, were down due to lower African burley production levels this year. Earnings improved for the Asia region primarily on stronger sales and for the Europe region on stronger sales and favorable exchange rates. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were lower for fiscal year 2018, mostly from net foreign currency remeasurement gains compared with losses in fiscal year 2017, partially offset by an unfavorable comparison due to the reversal of value-added tax reserves in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. Revenues for the Other Regions segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, were up $59.2 million to $1.5 billion compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, as higher sales prices and processing revenues as well as a better product mix offset lower sales volumes and other revenues from the receipt of distributions from unconsolidated affiliates.

Segment operating income for the Other Regions segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, increased by $1.7 million to $48.6 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, principally on higher volumes and better product mix in South America. Improvements in the South America region were largely offset by volume declines in the Africa region due to lower burley production in fiscal year 2018. Selling, general, and administrative costs were slightly lower in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to quarter ended March 31, 2017, mainly on lower customer claims and an allowance on a value-added tax credit offset by net foreign currency remeasurement losses compared with gains in the prior year quarter. Revenues for the Other Regions segment increased by $11.8 million to $442.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as higher sales prices and a more favorable product mix outweighed volume declines.
NORTH AMERICA:
North America segment operating income of $23.2 million for the year, and $9.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, were down by $11.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively, compared with the same periods in the previous year. The decline for the fiscal year was driven by lower sales volumes. In the United States, volumes were down primarily due to large prior crop carryover sales last year and some delayed customer shipments in the fourth fiscal quarter due to reduced transportation availability, while results for Guatemala and Mexico were affected by lower volumes and less favorable margins. In the quarter ended March 31, 2018, sales volumes were down compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017, largely on the delayed customer shipments. Selling, general and administrative costs were lower for both the year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same periods in fiscal year 2017, on reduced compensation costs and lower customer claims. Segment revenues were down by $107.7 million to $308.7 million and by $72.5 million to $97.2 million, respectively, for the year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year, on the lower volumes.


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Universal Corporation
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OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS:
The Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income increased by $0.1 million to $10.1 million for the year and by $5.0 million to $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same periods last fiscal year. For fiscal year 2018, earnings were lower for the dark tobacco operations, compared to the prior fiscal year, mostly driven by lower sales in Indonesia on the lack of wrapper tobacco availability from the weather damaged crop. Indonesian wrapper volumes and quality recovered in the subsequent crop, which will be available for sale in fiscal year 2019. Earnings were higher for the dark tobacco operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017, on higher sales volumes and better product mix. Earnings for the oriental joint venture increased for the fiscal year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, largely on higher sales volumes. Results for the joint venture for fiscal year 2018 also included gains on the sale of idle assets offset by higher currency remeasurement losses from the devaluation of the Turkish lira. Operating results for the Special Services group were up slightly for the year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with the prior fiscal year periods. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were up modestly for fiscal year 2018 compared to fiscal year 2017 on higher currency remeasurement losses, and were down marginally in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. Revenues for the Other Tobacco Operations segment increased by $11.3 million to $243.1 million for the year and by $18.1 million to $68.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2017, mainly on higher sales prices in our dark tobacco operations.

OTHER ITEMS:
Cost of goods sold declined by about 1% to $1.7 billion and by about 8% to $491.0 million for the fiscal year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, respectively, compared with the same periods in fiscal year 2017. For both periods, the decrease was in line with similar percentage declines in revenues. Selling, general, and administrative costs decreased by $11.5 million to $200.5 million and by $2.6 million to $56.2 million for the year and quarter ended March 31, 2018, respectively, compared to the prior fiscal year periods. The decrease in fiscal year 2018 was largely on net foreign currency remeasurement gains compared with losses in fiscal year 2017, mainly in Africa, partly offset by an unfavorable comparison due to the reversal of value-added tax reserves in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. In the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the decline primarily reflected a combination of lower customer claims and incentive compensation, largely offset by an allowance on a value-added tax credit and by net foreign currency remeasurement losses compared with gains in the prior year quarter.

The consolidated effective income tax rates for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2018, were approximately 42% and 30%, respectively. Those rates include the effects of the changes in U.S. corporate income tax law under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that were recorded under the SEC’s “provisional” classification upon enactment of the new law in the third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017, as well as adjustments made to the “provisional” accounting in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, due to the collection and analysis of additional information for certain foreign subsidiaries, as well as additional clarifying guidance issued with respect to the new law. The effects of the new law mainly represent changes to deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as the reduction of the U.S. tax liability on undistributed foreign earnings. As a result of the adjustments to the earlier provisional accounting, our earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included a $6.0 million increase to income tax expense ($0.24 per share), while our earnings for the year ended March 31, 2018 included a $4.5 million ($0.18 per share) net reduction of income tax expense from the new law after those adjustments. The consolidated effective income tax rates for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 were approximately 35% and 34%, respectively. Income taxes for those periods were lower than the 35% federal statutory rate at that time, due to a combination of lower net effective tax rates on income from certain foreign subsidiaries, and effects of changes in local currency exchange rates on deferred income tax balances.

Going forward, our consolidated effective tax rate will be heavily dependent on the tax rates of the individual countries in which we operate, the mix of our pretax earnings from those countries, and the prevailing rates of exchange of their local currencies with the U.S. dollar. The mix of pretax earnings and local currency exchange rates in particular can change significantly between annual and quarterly reporting periods based on crop sizes, market conditions, and economic factors. We expect these changes will make our effective tax rate more volatile from year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter than it has been in the past.

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Universal Corporation
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Based on our current mix of pretax earnings and current exchange rates, our average effective tax rate should generally be in the range of 28% to 32%. However, the actual effective tax rate could be above or below this level, with significant variations possible based on exchange rate changes.

In December 2016, 111,072 shares of the Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock were converted into approximately 2.5 million shares of the Company's common stock. In January 2017, the Company completed a mandatory cash conversion of the remaining 107,418 outstanding shares of the preferred stock in accordance with the original terms of the preferred shares.  Although the conversions of the preferred stock did not impact the Company’s net income, the cash conversions in January 2017 resulted in a one-time reduction of retained earnings of approximately $74.4 million during the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2017, and a corresponding one-time reduction of earnings available to common shareholders for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 for purposes of determining the amounts reported for basic and diluted earnings per share. The effects of the conversions on diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year and three months ended March 31, 2017, were ($2.99) and ($2.90), respectively.

Results for the year ended March 31, 2017 included restructuring and impairment costs of $4.4 million ($0.10 per diluted share), and for the three months ended March 31, 2017, included restructuring costs of $0.5 million ($0.02 per diluted share).


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Universal Corporation
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Additional information

Amounts included in the previous discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. In addition, the total for segment operating income (loss) referred to in this discussion is a non-GAAP measure. This measure is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash from operating activities or any other operating performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) is provided in Note 3. Segment Information, included in this earnings release. The Company evaluates its segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. The Company believes this measure, which excludes items that it believes are not indicative of its core operating results, provides investors with important information that is useful in understanding its business results and trends.

This information includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions readers that any statements contained herein regarding earnings and expectations for its performance are forward-looking statements based upon management's current knowledge and assumptions about future events, including anticipated levels of demand for and supply of its products and services; costs incurred in providing these products and services; timing of shipments to customers; changes in market structure; government regulation, including the impact of regulations on tobacco products; product taxation; changes in U.S. federal income tax rates and legislation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in global supply and demand positions for tobacco products; and general economic, political, market, and weather conditions. Actual results, therefore, could vary from those expected. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, and in other documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, and March 31, 2018, which is expected to be filed later this week.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 23, 2018, the Company will host a conference call to discuss these results. Those wishing to listen to the call may do so by visiting www.universalcorp.com at that time. A replay of the webcast will be available at that site through August 6, 2018. A taped replay of the call will be available through June 6, 2018, by dialing (855) 859-2056. The confirmation number to access the replay is 1754119.

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and conducts business in more than 30 countries. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, were $2.0 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its website at www.universalcorp.com.





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Universal Corporation
Page 7

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)


 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Sales and other operating revenues
 
$
607,496

 
$
650,030

 
$
2,033,947

 
$
2,071,218

Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
 
490,999

 
530,845

 
1,661,999

 
1,676,539

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
56,219

 
58,868

 
200,461

 
211,969

Restructuring and impairment costs
 

 
499

 

 
4,359

Operating income
 
60,278

 
59,818

 
171,487

 
178,351

Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
 
2,489

 
149

 
9,125

 
5,774

Interest income
 
324

 
281

 
1,686

 
1,397

Interest expense
 
3,705

 
3,844

 
15,621

 
16,284

Income before income taxes
 
59,386

 
56,404

 
166,677

 
169,238

Income taxes
 
25,064

 
19,954

 
50,509

 
56,732

Net income
 
34,322

 
36,450

 
116,168

 
112,506

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
 
(3,804
)
 
(3,581
)
 
(10,506
)
 
(6,202
)
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation
 
30,518

 
32,869

 
105,662

 
106,304

Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 

 

 
(11,061
)
Cost in excess of carrying value on conversion/repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 
(74,353
)
 

 
(74,353
)
Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders
 
$
30,518

 
$
(41,484
)
 
$
105,662

 
$
20,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.21

 
$
(1.64
)
 
$
4.18

 
$
0.89

Diluted
 
$
1.20

 
$
(1.64
)
 
$
4.14

 
$
0.88


See accompanying notes.



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Universal Corporation
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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of dollars)

 
 
March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2017
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
234,128

  
$
283,993

Accounts receivable, net
 
377,119

  
439,288

Advances to suppliers, net
 
122,786

  
103,750

Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates
 
2,040

  
2,373

Inventories—at lower of cost or market:
 
 
  
 
Tobacco
 
679,428

  
565,943

Other
 
69,301

  
68,087

Prepaid income taxes
 
16,032

  
16,713

Other current assets
 
88,209

  
81,252

Total current assets
 
1,589,043

  
1,561,399

 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
 
  
 
Land
 
23,180

  
22,852

Buildings
 
271,757

  
266,802

Machinery and equipment
 
634,660

  
597,213

 
 
929,597

  
886,867

Less accumulated depreciation
 
(605,803
)
  
(569,527
)
 
 
323,794

  
317,340

Other assets
 
 
  
 
Goodwill and other intangibles
 
98,927

  
98,888

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
 
89,302

  
78,457

Deferred income taxes
 
17,118

  
25,422

Other noncurrent assets
 
50,448

  
41,899

 
 
255,795

  
244,666

 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
2,168,632

  
$
2,123,405


See accompanying notes.






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Universal Corporation
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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of dollars)

 
 
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
Notes payable and overdrafts
 
$
45,421

 
$
59,133

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
163,763

 
153,515

Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates
 
16,072

 
7,231

Customer advances and deposits
 
7,021

 
11,007

Accrued compensation
 
27,886

 
32,007

Income taxes payable
 
7,557

 
5,103

Current portion of long-term debt
 

 

Total current liabilities
 
267,720

 
267,996

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
369,086

 
368,733

Pensions and other postretirement benefits
 
64,843

 
80,689

Other long-term liabilities
 
45,955

 
31,424

Deferred income taxes
 
35,726

 
47,985

Total liabilities
 
783,330

 
796,827

 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
Universal Corporation:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock:
 
 
 
 
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized,
none issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,930,725 shares issued
and outstanding (25,274,506 at March 31, 2017)
 
321,559

 
321,207

Retained earnings
 
1,080,934

 
1,034,841

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(60,064
)
 
(69,559
)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity
 
1,342,429

 
1,286,489

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
 
42,873

 
40,089

Total shareholders' equity
 
1,385,302

 
1,326,578

 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
2,168,632

 
$
2,123,405


See accompanying notes.




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Universal Corporation
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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
116,168

 
$
112,506

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
34,836

 
35,911

Provision for losses (recoveries) on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers
 
3,730

 
(857
)
Inventory write-downs
 
7,687

 
10,866

Stock-based compensation expense
 
7,610

 
6,475

Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain), net
 
(184
)
 
9,269

Deferred income taxes
 
(11,132
)
 
16,626

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends
 
(1,521
)
 
396

Restructuring and impairment costs
 

 
4,359

Other, net
 
(6,167
)
 
(4,463
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
 
(67,782
)
 
59,227

  Net cash provided by operating activities
 
83,245

 
250,315

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
 
(34,037
)
 
(35,630
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
5,194

 
2,174

Other
 
(550
)
 
(398
)
  Net cash used by investing activities
 
(29,393
)
 
(33,854
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net
 
(18,159
)
 
(5,349
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
 
(7,350
)
 
(4,200
)
Conversion of convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 
(178,365
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(21,610
)
 

Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 
(11,061
)
Dividends paid on common stock
 
(54,699
)
 
(49,828
)
Other
 
(2,828
)
 
(2,441
)
  Net cash used by financing activities
 
(104,646
)
 
(251,244
)
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
929

 
(671
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(49,865
)
 
(35,454
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
283,993

 
319,447

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
 
$
234,128

 
$
283,993

Non-cash Financing Transaction - The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 include a non-cash reclassification of $107.6 million from preferred stock to common stock to reflect the conversion of 111,072 shares of the Company's outstanding Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock into common stock.
See accompanying notes.

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Universal Corporation
Page 11

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries (“Universal” or the “Company”), is the leading global leaf supplier. 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. These financial statements 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, 2017.

NOTE 2.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation
 
$
30,518

 
$
32,869

 
$
105,662

 
$
106,304

Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 

 

 
(11,061
)
Less: Cost in excess of carrying value on conversion or repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock
 

 
(74,353
)
 

 
(74,353
)
Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share
 
$
30,518

 
$
(41,484
)
 
$
105,662

 
$
20,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
25,125,776

 
25,273,741

 
25,274,975

 
23,433,860

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Basic earnings (loss) per share
 
$
1.21

 
$
(1.64
)
 
$
4.18

 
$
0.89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share
 
$
30,518

 
$
(41,484
)
 
$
105,662

 
$
20,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
25,125,776

 
25,273,741

 
25,274,975

 
23,433,860

Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Employee and outside director share-based awards
 
265,855

 

 
233,169

 
336,228

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
25,391,631

 
25,273,741

 
25,508,144

 
23,770,088

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
1.20

 
$
(1.64
)
 
$
4.14

 
$
0.88




-- M O R E --

Universal Corporation
Page 12


NOTE 3. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The principal approach used by management to evaluate the Company’s performance is by geographic region, although the dark air-cured and oriental tobacco businesses are each evaluated on the basis of their worldwide operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income (loss) after allocated overhead expenses, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.

Operating results for the Company’s reportable segments for each period presented in the consolidated statements of income were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands of dollars)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
97,247

   
$
169,769

   
$
308,691

   
$
416,438

Other Regions (1)
 
442,261

   
430,417

   
1,482,188

   
1,422,991

Subtotal
 
539,508

   
600,186

 
1,790,879

   
1,839,429

Other Tobacco Operations (2) 
 
67,988

 
49,844

   
243,068

   
231,789

Consolidated sales and other operating revenues
 
$
607,496

  
$
650,030

 
$
2,033,947

  
$
2,071,218

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
9,333

   
$
13,747

   
$
23,220

   
$
35,151

Other Regions (1)
 
48,641

   
46,950

   
147,263

   
143,349

Subtotal
 
57,974

   
60,697

 
170,483

   
178,500

Other Tobacco Operations (2) 
 
4,793

   
(231
)
   
10,129

   
9,984

Segment operating income
 
62,767

   
60,466

 
180,612

   
188,484

Deduct: Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3) 
 
(2,489
)
 
(149
)
 
(9,125
)
 
(5,774
)
Restructuring and impairment costs (4)  
 

 
(499
)
 

 
(4,359
)
Consolidated operating income
 
$
60,278

  
$
59,818

 
$
171,487

  
$
178,351


(1) 
Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.
(2) 
Includes Dark Air-Cured, Special Services, and Oriental, as well as intercompany eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues for this reportable segment include limited amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate.
(3) 
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.
(4) 
Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.


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