EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 7, 2008 Press release dated February 7, 2008

Exhibit 99.2

LOGO

P.O. Box 25099    ¨    Richmond, VA 23260    ¨    Phone: (804) 359-9311    ¨    Fax: (804) 254-3594

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

CONTACT:    Karen M. L. Whelan    RELEASE:    4.00 p.m. ET
   Phone:    (804) 359-9311      
   Fax:    (804) 254-3594      
   Email:    investor@universalleaf.com      

Universal Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results

Richmond, VA, February 7, 2008 / PRNEWSWIRE

Allen B. King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), announced that income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, which ended on December 31, 2007, increased by 42% to $50.8 million, or $1.56 per diluted share. In the same quarter last year, continuing operations earned $35.8 million, or $1.17 per diluted share. For fiscal year 2008, the third quarter’s results reflected higher earnings in the Other Regions segment of the flue-cured and burley operations, as well as Other Tobacco Operations. Earnings also benefited from lower net interest expense. Last year’s net income for the quarter totaled $24.1 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, including results from discontinued operations. There was no income or loss from discontinued operations in the quarter ended December 31, 2007, as the Company had completed the sale of its non-tobacco operations at the beginning of the period.

For the nine months ended on December 31, 2007, Universal earned $109.4 million from continuing operations, or $3.38 per diluted share, compared to $59.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share last year. The significant improvement in the nine-month results was caused by a number of factors, including shipment timing, lower net interest expense, lower charges this year related to African flue-cured growing projects, and a lower effective tax rate. The favorable comparisons were offset in part by significantly lower margins in Africa, after adjusting for last year’s charges, combined with lower carryover sales and lower old-crop burley sales by the North America segment. In addition, higher currency remeasurement and transaction gains offset some of the increased costs related to the weaker U.S. dollar. Net income for the nine months, including results from discontinued operations, was $109.3 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, compared to $24.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the same period in the prior year.

Mr. King said, “Results for the third fiscal quarter and the nine months have improved despite difficult supply shortages and rapidly rising costs that were due in part, to the weak U.S. dollar. Much of our improvement came from the reduction of restructuring charges and provisions for inventory valuation and farmer advances. However, our inventories have fallen by over 25% since last year, primarily reflecting the smaller crops in Africa and Canada and more rapid shipment of leaf during fiscal year 2008. That acceleration of shipments, which has led to near completion of yearly shipping in some origins, and the accompanying substantial reduction in total inventories, is likely to mean lower shipments in future quarters. We also continue to work with our customers to mitigate the effect of the weak dollar on our unit costs. Despite these many challenges, we believe that we have been taking the necessary actions to improve our performance. Our business model is sound, and we believe that because of our dedication to producing quality leaf and service to our customers, we will continue to be successful in the long term.”

 

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Sales and other operating revenues were up 12% in each period, totaling $573 million in the quarter and $1.7 billion for the nine months. In the quarter, the growth was principally due to higher volumes in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Special Services group, as well as the impact of currency changes. A significant part of the volume increase was related to shipment timing. For the nine months, the increase was more widely dispersed and caused by higher volumes and higher leaf prices in most regions.

The North America segment of the flue-cured and burley operations reported operating income of $19.4 million for the quarter, nearly level with the prior year, despite the effect of crop reductions in Canada and the absence of last year’s sales of old-crop U.S. burley. Higher volumes of current crop tobacco in most origins combined with improved pricing in some areas largely offset those negative factors, and the net effect caused an 8% increase in revenues for the quarter.

For the nine months, the North America segment reported operating income of $18.4 million compared to $27.2 million in the prior year. The reduction reflected lower carryover sales in the United States this year, the effect of old-crop U.S. burley sales last year, increased operating costs associated with handling the drought-affected crop in the United States, and the significant reduction of the Canadian crop. Pricing and volume improvements in some origins mitigated part of the decline in earnings caused by those factors. In addition, last year’s results reflected a $3 million gain on the sale of idle assets. Revenues for this segment fell by $31.5 million, to $222 million, compared to last year.

The Other Regions segment of the flue-cured and burley operations earned $52.0 million, up 13% from the same quarter in fiscal year 2007, driven by improvement in operations in Europe and Asia. The segment also recognized higher income that had been deferred on sales of leaf to another segment to provide just-in-time delivery services. That leaf has now been delivered to customers. Despite higher volumes due to accelerated shipments, African results fell, reflecting lower margins as smaller crops, higher farm prices, and the weaker U.S. dollar increased unit costs significantly. Europe saw improvement in the quarter due to earlier shipments, better product mix, and additional blending and sheet volumes, while Asia’s comparisons improved with the absence of last year’s flood-related costs in the Philippines and additional trading volumes, some of which represented shipment delays earlier in the year. Revenues for this segment increased by $29 million in the quarter. In several origins, higher gains from currency remeasurement and transactions offset part of the increased costs related to purchasing and processing tobacco with weaker U.S. dollars.

For the nine months, the Other Regions segment of the flue-cured and burley operations earned $147.9 million compared to $106.5 million last year, an increase of nearly 39%. The increase reflected improved results in all regions. In addition to the improvements in Europe and Asia and recognition of deferred income that benefited the quarter, the nine-month period reflected lower charges for inventory and farmer receivables this year, primarily in Africa, which contributed $26 million to the comparison. Currency remeasurement and transaction gains mitigated only some of the effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on costs. The segment also benefited from larger crops in the Philippines where flooding reduced last year’s crops and lower overhead costs in Africa and Asia. Those improvements were partially offset by lower operating margins in Africa, after adjusting for last year’s charges, on higher volumes shipped as the African season rapidly draws to a close. Revenues for the Other Regions segment increased by about 14% to $1.3 billion.

The Other Tobacco Operations segment results improved by $2 million in the quarter to $16.2 million and revenues increased by $22 million to $66 million. Most of these increases related to accelerated sales volumes for the Special Services group as part of the business is being absorbed by regional operations. That change was also primarily responsible for the 30% increase in segment operating income for the nine months and a 33% growth in revenues. Earnings from the oriental tobacco joint venture were also up for the nine months, mainly due to a gain from the sale of an investment, and remeasurement gains, which partially offset the adverse effect of currency changes on its costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are included in segment operating results, fell by over $15 million in the quarter, primarily related to currency benefits of approximately $10 million from transactions

 

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and from remeasurement of net foreign currency asset positions as the U.S. dollar weakened. For the nine months, selling, general, and administrative expenses dropped by approximately $39 million. In addition to an $18 million reduction in provisions for farmer receivables, expenses for the nine-month period were offset by a $21 million increase in net foreign exchange remeasurement and transaction gains. Of the transaction gains, about $7 million is due to forward currency exchange contracts related to certain customer sales contracts. The forward contracts were not accounted for as hedges, and mark-to-market gains were included in income as they occurred. The effect of the weaker U.S. dollar on costs is widely dispersed through the Company’s results and is not offset against currency gains in reporting those gains. Increases in corporate overhead for stock-based compensation and incentive compensation were partially offset by lower legal fees.

The Company recorded higher interest income and lower interest expense as a result of funds provided by tobacco operations, the sale of its non-tobacco businesses, asset sales, and executive stock option exercises. Net interest savings were $4.3 million for the quarter and $15.8 million for the nine months. The effective income tax rate for the nine months, at approximately 36%, is higher than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate primarily because of U.S. state income taxes and excess foreign taxes recorded in countries where the tax rates exceed U.S. rates. In addition, the restructuring charges in the nine-month period provided tax benefits at a rate that was below the statutory rate, which increased the effective tax rate. For the full fiscal year, the rate is expected to be slightly below 37%. The effective tax rate last year for the nine-month period was 42.8%. Universal did not record any tax benefit on its $12.3 million asset impairment charge last year since management believed that the Company would be unable to utilize the net operating loss carryforward generated by the charge. A valuation allowance of $4.9 million on deferred tax assets associated with Zambia also increased last year’s effective tax rate. That impact was partially offset by a reduction in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets due to the method of attributing income taxes to discontinued operations under the applicable accounting guidance.

Additional information

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; 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, 2007 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 year ended March 31, 2007.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) today, 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 for three months. A taped replay of the call will also be available for one week by dialing (800) 642-1687. The confirmation number to access the replay is 32785707.

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is one of the world’s leading tobacco merchants and processors and conducts business in more than 35 countries. Its revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, were $2.0 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at www.universalcorp.com.

 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 573,094     $ 511,706     $ 1,678,641     $ 1,502,787  

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of goods sold

     446,089       378,348       1,324,752       1,147,293  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     47,869       63,010       165,545       204,637  

Restructuring and impairment costs

     —         3,519       3,304       15,808  
                                

Operating income

     79,136       66,829       185,040       135,049  

Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     8,477       9,570       7,231       5,302  

Interest income

     4,453       4,208       13,317       7,188  

Interest expense

     10,314       14,347       32,274       41,961  
                                

Income before income taxes and other items

     81,752       66,260       173,314       105,578  

Income taxes

     29,204       24,805       62,937       45,203  

Minority interests, net of income taxes

     1,796       5,676       974       1,085  
                                

Income from continuing operations

     50,752       35,779       109,403       59,290  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     —         (11,674 )     (145 )     (34,454 )
                                

Net income

     50,752       24,105       109,258       24,836  

Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock

     (3,712 )     (3,713 )     (11,137 )     (10,973 )
                                

Earnings available to common shareholders

   $ 47,040     $ 20,392     $ 98,121     $ 13,863  
   

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

        

From continuing operations

   $ 1.72     $ 1.24     $ 3.60     $ 1.87  

From discontinued operations

     —         (0.45 )     (0.01 )     (1.33 )
                                

Net income

   $ 1.72     $ 0.79     $ 3.59     $ 0.54  
   

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

        

From continuing operations

   $ 1.56     $ 1.17     $ 3.38     $ 1.87  

From discontinued operations

     —         (0.38 )     (0.01 )     (1.33 )
                                

Net income

   $ 1.56     $ 0.79     $ 3.37     $ 0.54  
   

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     December 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
    March 31,
2007
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS       

Current

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 502,277     $ 220,438     $ 358,236  

Accounts receivable, net

     233,861       289,548       261,106  

Advances to suppliers, net

     114,897       83,629       113,396  

Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates

     46,732       43,709       37,290  

Inventories—at lower of cost or market:

      

Tobacco

     486,785       656,329       595,901  

Other

     42,289       45,553       40,577  

Prepaid income taxes

     8,032       7,580       8,760  

Deferred income taxes

     19,158       27,443       25,182  

Other current assets

     58,264       52,511       62,480  

Current assets of discontinued operations

     —         75,482       42,437  
                        

Total current assets

     1,512,295       1,502,222       1,545,365  

Property, plant and equipment

      

Land

     17,061       17,141       16,640  

Buildings

     250,202       250,281       241,410  

Machinery and equipment

     515,870       521,608       512,586  
                        
     783,133       789,030       770,636  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (442,844 )     (408,408 )     (410,478 )
                        
     340,289       380,622       360,158  

Other assets

      

Goodwill and other intangibles

     104,689       104,265       104,284  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     114,622       94,242       104,316  

Deferred income taxes

     66,991       92,879       81,003  

Other noncurrent assets

     183,948       143,781       133,696  
                        
     470,250       435,167       423,299  
                        

Total assets

   $ 2,322,834     $ 2,318,011     $ 2,328,822  
   

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     December 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
    March 31,
2007
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY       

Current

      

Notes payable and overdrafts

   $ 139,632     $ 169,283     $ 131,159  

Accounts payable

     173,864       192,797       220,181  

Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates

     8,815       10,730       644  

Customer advances and deposits

     86,099       122,086       133,608  

Accrued compensation

     15,007       13,858       18,519  

Income taxes payable

     12,712       23,763       11,549  

Current portion of long-term obligations

     150,000       22,513       164,000  

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     —         15,816       13,314  
                        

Total current liabilities

     586,129       570,846       692,974  

Long-term obligations

     400,644       548,769       398,952  

Pensions and other postretirement benefits

     98,242       81,383       100,004  

Other long-term liabilities

     73,322       76,839       70,528  

Deferred income taxes

     47,881       34,038       29,809  
                        

Total liabilities

     1,206,218       1,311,875       1,292,267  

Minority interests

     6,985       14,934       5,822  

Shareholders’ equity

      

Preferred stock:

      

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

     —         —         —    

Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 219,999 shares issued and outstanding (220,000 at December 31, 2006, and March 31, 2007)

     213,023       213,024       213,024  

Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 27,299,524 shares issued and outstanding (25,923,058 at December 31, 2006, and 26,948,599 at March 31, 2007)

     198,581       130,564       176,453  

Retained earnings

     729,548       678,289       682,232  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (31,521 )     (30,675 )     (40,976 )
                        

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,109,631       991,202       1,030,733  
                        

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,322,834     $ 2,318,011     $ 2,328,822  
   

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006  
     (Unaudited)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS:     

Net income

   $ 109,258     $ 24,836  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:

    

Net loss from discontinued operations

     145       34,454  

Depreciation

     31,028       36,662  

Amortization

     1,597       1,488  

Provisions for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers

     12,218       30,250  

Restructuring and impairment costs

     3,304       15,808  

Other, net

     16,490       (2,264 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

     28,988       (30,381 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

     203,028       110,853  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS:

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (18,355 )     (20,915 )

Proceeds from sale of businesses, less cash of businesses sold

     26,556       379,379  

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     15,964       4,960  

Deposit to escrow account

     (32,098 )     —    
                

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations

     (7,933 )     363,424  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS:

    

Repayment of short-term debt, net

     (2,559 )     (118,814 )

Repayment of long-term debt

     (14,000 )     (200,000 )

Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     —         19,478  

Issuance of common stock

     16,131       5,910  

Repurchase of common stock

     (4,084 )     —    

Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock

     (11,137 )     (10,973 )

Dividends paid on common stock

     (36,422 )     (33,561 )

Other

     (907 )     (1,325 )
                

Net cash used by financing activities of continuing operations

     (52,978 )     (339,285 )
                

Net cash provided by continuing operations

     142,117       134,992  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

    

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

     6,495       36,776  

Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations

     (17 )     (9,417 )

Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operations

     (4,957 )     (6,766 )
                

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

     1,521       20,593  
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     164       75  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     143,802       155,660  

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of year

     358,236       62,486  

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of year

     239       4,146  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of period

     —         1,854  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 502,277     $ 220,438  
   

Significant non-cash items from investing activities of continuing operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2006, included the buyer’s assumption of $153,560 of notes payable and overdrafts with the sale of businesses.

See accompanying notes.

 

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NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries (“Universal” or the “Company”), is one of the world’s leading leaf tobacco merchants and processors. The Company previously had operations in lumber and building products and in agri-products. The lumber and building products businesses, along with a portion of the agri-products operations, were sold on September 1, 2006. In December 2006, the Company adopted a plan to sell the remaining agri-products operations. One of those agri-products businesses was sold in January 2007, another was sold in May 2007, and the assets of the remaining business were sold in October 2007. The lumber and building products operations and the agri-products operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods in the accompanying financial statements.

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. Certain amounts in prior year statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. This 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, 2007.

NOTE 2. GUARANTEES AND OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Guarantees of bank loans to growers for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing assets are industry practice in Brazil and support the farmers’ production of tobacco there. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary in Brazil for banking facilities of farmers in that country was approximately $205 million. About 70% of these guarantees expire within one year, and nearly all of the remainder expire within five years. The subsidiary withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forwards those payments to the third-party banks. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary to cover their obligations to third-party banks could result in a liability for the subsidiary under the related guarantee; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company’s subsidiary could be required to make is the face amount, $205 million, and any unpaid accrued interest. The fair value liability recorded for the guarantees was approximately $11 million and $12 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and approximately $10 million at March 31, 2007. In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $6 million.

Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in litigation incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the claims and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 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.

 

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NOTE 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share for the three- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 

(in thousands, except per share data)

   2007     2006     2007     2006  
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share         

Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share

        

From continuing operations:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 50,752     $ 35,779     $ 109,403     $ 59,290  

Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock

     (3,712 )     (3,713 )     (11,137 )     (10,973 )
                                

Earnings available to common shareholders from continuing operations

     47,040       32,066       98,266       48,317  
                                

From discontinued operations:

        

Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations

     —         (11,674 )     (145 )     (34,454 )
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 47,040     $ 20,392     $ 98,121     $ 13,863  
                                

Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share

        

Weighted average shares outstanding

     27,357       25,815       27,285       25,775  
                                

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

        

From continuing operations

   $ 1.72     $ 1.24     $ 3.60     $ 1.87  

From discontinued operations

     —         (0.45 )     (0.01 )     (1.33 )
                                

Net income per share

   $ 1.72     $ 0.79     $ 3.59     $ 0.54  
   
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share         
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share         

From continuing operations:

        

Earnings available to common shareholders from continuing operations

   $ 47,040     $ 32,066     $ 98,266     $ 48,317  

Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)

     3,712       3,713       11,137       —    
                                

Earnings available to common shareholders from continuing operations for calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share

     50,752       35,779       109,403       48,317  
                                

From discontinued operations:

        

Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations

     —         (11,674 )     (145 )     (34,454 )
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 50,752     $ 24,105     $ 109,258     $ 13,863  
                                

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:

        

Weighted average shares outstanding

     27,357       25,815       27,285       25,775  

Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)

        

Convertible perpetual preferred stock

     4,711       4,708       4,710       —    

Employee share-based awards

     373       111       385       69  
                                

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

     32,441       30,634       32,380       25,844  
                                

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

        

From continuing operations

   $ 1.56     $ 1.17     $ 3.38     $ 1.87  

From discontinued operations

     —         (0.38 )     (0.01 )     (1.33 )
                                

Net income per share

   $ 1.56     $ 0.79     $ 3.37     $ 0.54  
   

 

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Universal Corporation

Page 10

 

NOTE 4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The principal approach used by management to evaluate the Company’s performance is by geographic region, although some components of the business are evaluated on the basis of their worldwide operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses (excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits), plus equity in 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
December 31,
   Nine Months Ended
December 31.

(in thousands of dollars)

   2007    2006    2007    2006

SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES

           

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:

           

North America

   $ 133,319    $ 123,477    $ 222,004    $ 253,489

Other regions (1)

     373,670      344,424      1,258,781      1,100,910
                           

Subtotal

     506,989      467,901      1,480,785      1,354,399

Other tobacco operations (2)

     66,105      43,805      197,856      148,388
                           

Consolidated sales and other operating revenues

   $ 573,094    $ 511,706    $ 1,678,641    $ 1,502,787
 

OPERATING INCOME

           

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:

           

North America

   $ 19,395    $ 19,765    $ 18,364    $ 27,169

Other regions (1)

     52,016      45,939      147,928      106,520
                           

Subtotal

     71,411      65,704      166,292      133,689

Other tobacco operations (2)

     16,202      14,214      29,283      22,470
                           

Segment operating income

     87,613      79,918      195,575      156,159

Less:

           

Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3)

     8,477      9,570      7,231      5,302

Restructuring and impairment costs (4)

     —        3,519      3,304      15,808
                           

Consolidated operating income

   $ 79,136    $ 66,829    $ 185,040    $ 135,049
 

 

(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 inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues for this reportable segment include limited amounts for Oriental because its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of an unconsolidated affiliate.
(3) Item is included in segment operating income, but not included in consolidated operating income.
(4) Item is not included in segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income.

 

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