RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Revenues up 1%, to $275.4 million on higher volumes
  • Segment operating loss of $3.5 million improved by $4.1 million
  • Fiscal year lamina volumes expected to increase compared to the prior year

George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), reported a net loss of $5.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, which ended on June 30, 2015. Those results were down from net income of $0.7 million, or a $0.13 per diluted share loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. Results for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 included restructuring costs of $2.4 million ($1.6 million after-tax or $0.07 per diluted share), while results for last year's first fiscal quarter included an income tax benefit of $8.0 million (or $0.34 per diluted share) arising from a subsidiary's payment of a portion of a fine following the unsuccessful appeal of a long-running court case. Excluding those items, the first fiscal quarter net loss improved by $2.9 million ($0.11 per diluted share) compared to the same period last year. Segment operating loss of $3.5 million for the quarter also improved by $4.1 million compared to the same period last year mainly as a result of earnings improvements in the North America and Other Regions segments. Revenues for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 of $275.4 million increased by $3.9 million as higher total volumes were partly offset by lower overall green prices, a less favorable product mix, and lower processing revenues.

Universal Corporation logo

Mr. Freeman stated, "As we enter the second year of the global leaf oversupply, we are seeing progress in moving towards more balanced markets. Production has come down in most origins. Burley tobacco supply is now balanced, while supply continues to exceed demand for certain qualities and stalk positions of flue-cured tobacco. Although global oversupply conditions have improved, based on customer shipment indications, we believe that volumes will be heavily weighted towards the second half of the fiscal year, similar to last year's trend. Given this, the first fiscal quarter's seasonally weak results were expected. However, total volumes shipped, as well as segment operating income, were higher this quarter than the comparable quarter last year.

"Crop purchases in Brazil have been progressing at a normal pace, while purchases in some African origins have started more slowly, due in part to crops delayed by weather conditions. In addition, customer orders have been coming in at a slow pace as customers evaluate the global markets. Green leaf tobacco prices have continued to decline this year, particularly in Brazil, Africa, and Europe where currency movements have reduced U.S. dollar-based prices. The lower prices in Brazil have increased demand for that above average quality flue-cured crop and conversely, may reduce demand for tobacco from other origins.

"Looking forward, we are continuing to carefully monitor crop purchases this season, and our uncommitted inventories remain well within our normal range. It is still early in the season, but customer orders and indications remain in line with our expectations, and we currently anticipate that lamina volumes for fiscal year 2016 will exceed those of the prior year, barring any unexpected logistical challenges. We also recently announced that commencing with the 2016 crop season, we are scaling down our operations in Zambia, where we have historically contracted with growers to purchase flue-cured crops but do not own processing facilities. This change is a result of continual assessment of our operations to achieve efficiencies and structures that deliver value for all stakeholders and is consistent with industry movements to reduce sourcing complexity."

FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

OTHER REGIONS:

The Other Regions segment reported an operating loss of $7.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, reflecting an improvement of $2.8 million compared with the prior year's first quarter loss of $10.6 million, primarily as a result of reduced selling, general and administrative costs. Although sales volumes were up for the segment, gross margins were lower due mainly to a less favorable product mix. Selling, general and administrative costs for the segment benefited from the absence of last year's large value-added tax valuation provision as well as the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar on local currency expenses in Brazil, partially offset by unfavorable currency remeasurement comparisons, particularly in the Philippines. Sales volumes increased modestly in Africa on higher carryover crop sales in Tanzania. Volumes were also up in Asia on a reversal of the prior year's first quarter shipment timing delays. Conversely, sales volumes declined in Brazil from delays in customer shipment timing, and in Europe, on reduced volumes driven in part by changes in tax regulations affecting cigar products. Revenues for the Other Regions segment of $177.4 million were down by about 10% compared to the same period last year, on higher volumes offset by a less favorable product mix and reduced green leaf tobacco prices, including the effects of the devaluation of local currencies in South America and Europe against the U.S. dollar.

NORTH AMERICA:

Operating income for the North America segment was up $1.7 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2015, compared to last year's first quarter, on higher domestic volumes mainly as a result of shipments that were delayed into the first fiscal quarter. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the North America segment were flat. Revenues for this segment similarly increased by $16.9 million to $48.6 million on those higher volumes partly offset by a less favorable product mix.

OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS

The Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 of $0.9 million was down by $0.4 million compared with the same period last year. Results for the dark tobacco operations improved for the quarter, on higher volumes, margin improvement, and a better product mix compared with the prior year. Those results were mostly offset by losses for the special services group, primarily as a result of startup costs for the new food ingredients business, which will commence operations later this year. The oriental joint venture reported lower results for the quarter due to a less favorable product and customer mix despite reduced operating expenses. Revenues for this segment increased by about 17% to $49.4 million driven by the volume improvements in the dark tobacco business, partly offset by lower overall lamina and wrapper prices. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were modestly lower compared with the prior year quarter.

OTHER ITEMS:

Cost of goods sold increased by about 5% to $227.0 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2015, compared with the same period last year, mainly attributable to the higher volumes at lower green leaf costs. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the first fiscal quarter declined by about 20% to $51.3 million on a combination of favorable comparisons to last year's accruals for value-added tax reserves and benefits from a stronger dollar on local currency costs in Brazil and Europe, net of foreign currency remeasurement and exchange losses in the current fiscal period compared with gains in the prior year, largely in the Africa and Asia regions.

Interest expense of $3.9 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 was down about 3% due to the absence of interest paid in the same period last year for the European Commission fine, partly offset by slightly higher average interest rates this year.

The consolidated income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 was 36%, which is comparable to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35%. Income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 were impacted by a non-recurring benefit of $8.0 million arising from the partial payment of the European Commission fine by our Italian subsidiary. Excluding that item, the consolidated income tax rate for last year's first fiscal quarter was approximately 35%.

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, operating income, 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 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 these 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; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; 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, 2015, 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 year ended March 31, 2015.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 6, 2015, 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 November 4, 2015. A taped replay of the call will be available through August 19, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056. The confirmation number to access the replay is 95972066.

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, 2015, were $2.3 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its website at www.universalcorp.com.

 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)












Three Months Ended June 30,



2015


2014



(Unaudited)

Sales and other operating revenues


$

275,419



$

271,472


Costs and expenses





Cost of goods sold


227,030



215,932


Selling, general and administrative expenses


51,296



63,777


Restructuring costs


2,389



--


Operating income (loss)


(5,296)



(8,237)


Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates


(616)



601


Interest income


239



143


Interest expense


3,884



4,020


Income (loss) before income taxes


(9,557)



(11,513)


Income tax expense (benefit)


(3,432)



(12,038)


Net income (loss)


(6,125)



525


Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries


178



192


Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation


(5,947)



717


Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock


(3,687)



(3,712)


Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders


$

(9,634)



$

(2,995)







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





 Basic


$

(0.43)



$

(0.13)


 Diluted


$

(0.43)



$

(0.13)











See accompanying notes.










 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands of dollars)
















June 30,


June 30,


March 31,



2015


2014


2015



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)



ASSETS







Current assets







Cash and cash equivalents


$

130,439



$

148,457



$

248,783


Accounts receivable, net


257,349



238,900



434,362


Advances to suppliers, net


58,041



77,273



114,883


Accounts receivable--unconsolidated affiliates


65,821



82,196



1,907


Inventories--at lower of cost or market:







Tobacco


921,920



1,047,613



636,488


Other


69,851



83,484



62,195


Prepaid income taxes


28,828



30,688



17,811


Deferred income taxes


35,296



20,431



36,611


Other current assets


72,898



78,186



81,570


Total current assets


1,640,443



1,807,228



1,634,610









Property, plant and equipment







Land


16,853



17,239



16,790


Buildings


239,218



241,909



238,372


Machinery and equipment


590,470



574,178



576,010




846,541



833,326



831,172


Less: accumulated depreciation


(534,461)



(528,596)



(525,783)




312,080



304,730



305,389


Other assets







Goodwill and other intangibles


99,120



99,429



99,146


Investments in unconsolidated affiliates


78,450



94,802



76,512


Deferred income taxes


8,414



18,616



6,301


Other noncurrent assets


74,221



76,599



76,515




260,205



289,446



258,474









Total assets


$

2,212,728



$

2,401,404



$

2,198,473















See accompanying notes.











 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands of dollars)
















June 30,


June 30,


March 31,



2015


2014


2015



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY







Current liabilities







Notes payable and overdrafts


$

86,553



$

205,370



$

59,862


Accounts payable and accrued expenses


171,963



198,085



140,112


Accounts payable--unconsolidated affiliates


4,650



42



3,281


Customer advances and deposits


4,328



61,147



30,183


Accrued compensation


24,597



26,213



28,232


Income taxes payable


6,934



12,072



9,243


Current portion of long-term obligations


--



117,500



--


Total current liabilities


299,025



620,429



270,913









Long-term obligations


370,000



235,000



370,000


Pensions and other postretirement benefits


95,985



82,759



97,048


Other long-term liabilities


34,091



36,279



36,790


Deferred income taxes


29,785



36,346



26,628


Total liabilities


828,886



1,010,813



801,379









Shareholders' equity







Universal Corporation:







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, 220,000 shares authorized, 218,490 shares issued and outstanding (219,999 at June 30, 2014, and 218,490 at March 31, 2015)


211,562



213,023



211,562


Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,668,025 shares issued and outstanding (23,169,976 at June 30, 2014, and 22,593,266 at March 31, 2015)


206,018



206,538



206,002


Retained earnings


998,560



972,068



1,020,155


Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(66,403)



(33,752)



(74,994)


Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity


1,349,737



1,357,877



1,362,725


Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries


34,105



32,714



34,369


Total shareholders' equity


1,383,842



1,390,591



1,397,094









Total liabilities and shareholders' equity


$

2,212,728



$

2,401,404



$

2,198,473















See accompanying notes.










 


UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands of dollars)












Three Months Ended June 30,



2015


2014



(Unaudited)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:





Net income (loss)


$

(6,125)



$

525


Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities:





 Depreciation


9,145



8,653


 Amortization


223



409


 Net provision (recoveries) for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers


(2,037)



(516)


 Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain), net


2,806



(1,283)


 Restructuring and impairment costs


2,389



--


Other, net


8,457



(4,395)


Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net


(129,793)



(118,286)


     Net cash used by operating activities


(114,935)



(114,893)







CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:





Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(14,900)



(16,808)


Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment


613



393


Net cash used by investing activities


(14,287)



(16,415)







CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:





Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net


26,306



142,489


Repayment of long-term obligations


--



(3,750)


Issuance of common stock


--



187


Repurchase of common stock


--



(7,202)


Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock


(3,687)



(3,712)


Dividends paid on common stock


(11,749)



(11,844)


Net cash provided by financing activities


10,870



116,168







Effect of exchange rate changes on cash


8



65


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(118,344)



(15,075)


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year


248,783



163,532







Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


$

130,439



$

148,457











See accompanying notes.









 

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries ("Universal" or the "Company"), is the leading global leaf tobacco 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. Certain amounts in prior year statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 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, 2015.

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:













Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


2015


2014






Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share





Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share





Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation


$

(5,947)



$

717


Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock


(3,687)



(3,712)


Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings (loss) per share


(9,634)



(2,995)







 Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share





 Weighted average shares outstanding


22,622,930



23,223,343







 Basic earnings (loss) per share


$

(0.43)



$

(0.13)







Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share





Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share





 Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders


$

(9,634)



$

(2,995)


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


--



--


 Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share


(9,634)



(2,995)







Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share





Weighted average shares outstanding


22,622,930



23,223,343


Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)





Convertible perpetual preferred stock


--



--


Employee share-based awards


--



--


Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share


22,622,930



23,223,343







Diluted earnings (loss) per share


$

(0.43)



$

(0.13)


 

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 after allocated overhead expenses (excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits), 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 June 30,

(in thousands of dollars)


2015


2014






SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES





Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:





  North America


$

48,572



$

31,698


  Other regions (1)


177,401



197,572


    Subtotal


225,973



229,270


Other tobacco operations (2)


49,446



42,202


Consolidated sales and other operating revenues


$

275,419



$

271,472







OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)





Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:





  North America


$

3,416



$

1,679


  Other regions (1)


(7,847)



(10,575)


    Subtotal


(4,431)



(8,896)


Other tobacco operations (2)


908



1,260


Segment operating income (loss)


(3,523)



(7,636)


  Deduct: Equity in pretax loss (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates (3)


616



(601)


Restructuring and impairment costs (4)


(2,389)



--


Consolidated operating income (loss)


$

(5,296)



$

(8,237)




(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) 

Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (loss)(Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income (loss) and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.



(4) 

Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from segment operating income (loss), but are included in consolidated operating income (loss) in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

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SOURCE Universal Corporation

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