RICHMOND, Va.,
HIGHLIGHTS
Diluted earnings per share increased to
Revenues up 22% to
Operating income up 83% to
Mr. Freeman stated, "We are very pleased with our performance during the first quarter. Each of our operations performed as we had expected or better. Earlier shipments of Brazilian and European tobacco boosted our results, and leaf costs were lower due to the stronger U.S. dollar. Looking at the current worldwide situation, we see the U.S. dollar beginning to weaken again, which could increase costs as we enter the next purchasing season. We will be monitoring these factors as the year progresses, and we will be working to control our costs.
"We do not foresee any oversupply of flue-cured tobacco in the coming year. Global burley availability improved after the shortage of filler style crops two years ago, and there is a large crop again this year. So it is likely that we will see some oversupply of burley. Worldwide dealer inventories for flue-cured and burley tobacco are about 70 million kilos compared to about 80 million kilos last year.
"
"Two Board members are retiring after long service to the Company:
FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:
Operating income for our flue-cured and burley tobacco operations increased by 85% to
OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS:
The Other Tobacco Operations segment performed well as the oriental tobacco joint venture results improved, mainly due to a more favorable sales mix as well as to certain cost containment measures. Dark tobacco results also improved on better product mix although volumes declined. During the last quarter of fiscal year 2009, customers had purchased leaf earlier than usual in anticipation of the enactment of U.S. excise tax increases, and thus volumes were lower this year. Despite the lower volumes, dark tobacco revenues, which are the predominant factor in segment revenues, increased due to higher prices caused by increased leaf costs during last year's purchasing season and a more favorable product mix.
OTHER ITEMS:
Cost of sales increased by 18% to
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
At
Headquartered in
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands of dollars, except per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 2008 (Unaudited) Sales and other operating revenues $616,112 $506,287 Costs and expenses Cost of goods sold 476,748 403,253 Selling, general and administrative expenses 69,592 64,847 Operating income 69,772 38,187 Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 3,641 (50) Interest income 565 950 Interest expense 8,155 7,666 Income before income taxes and other items 65,823 31,421 Income taxes 22,019 10,281 Net income 43,804 21,140 Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (59) (29) Net income attributable to Universal Corporation 43,745 21,111 Dividends onUniversal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,712) (3,712) Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders $40,033 $17,399 Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders: Basic $1.60 $0.65 Diluted $1.47 $0.64 See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars) June 30, June 30, March 31, 2009 2008 2009 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Cash and cash equivalents $131,167 $141,805 $212,626 Short-term investments - 28,939 - Accounts receivable, net 229,764 224,854 263,383 Advances to suppliers, net 141,383 207,743 214,282 Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates 15,654 16,183 20,371 Inventories - at lower of cost or market: Tobacco 886,232 965,244 586,136 Other 66,851 63,766 60,712 Prepaid income taxes 14,238 13,005 13,181 Deferred income taxes 43,385 24,281 68,264 Other current assets 80,031 93,216 64,964 Total current assets 1,608,705 1,779,036 1,503,919 Property, plant and equipment Land 16,002 16,516 15,773 Buildings 254,846 256,470 251,875 Machinery and equipment 507,681 517,272 492,214 778,529 790,258 759,862 Less accumulated depreciation (462,266) (463,345) (447,575) 316,263 326,913 312,287 Other assets Goodwill and other intangibles 106,030 106,413 106,097 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 112,781 115,744 103,987 Deferred income taxes 20,393 50,164 17,376 Other noncurrent assets 91,297 92,922 94,510 330,501 365,243 321,970 Total assets $2,255,469 $2,471,192 $2,138,176 See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars) June 30, June 30, March 31, 2009 2008 2009 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Notes payable and overdrafts $171,125 $260,590 $168,608 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 281,336 310,971 236,837 Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates 100 119 19,191 Customer advances and deposits 57,288 165,945 14,162 Accrued compensation 20,818 19,128 24,710 Income taxes payable 8,839 7,133 6,867 Current portion of long-term Obligations 79,500 - 79,500 Total current liabilities 619,006 763,886 549,875 Long-term obligations 329,596 399,496 331,808 Pensions and other postretirement benefits 94,219 91,776 91,248 Other long-term liabilities 81,639 95,839 79,159 Deferred income taxes 51,226 44,072 52,842 Total liabilities 1,175,686 1,395,069 1,104,932 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, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 219,999 shares issued and outstanding (219,999 at June 30, 2008, and March 31, 2009) 213,023 213,023 213,023 Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,901,506 shares issued and outstanding (26,095,635 at June 30, 2008, and 24,999,127 at March 31, 2009) 195,437 200,763 194,037 Retained earnings 712,684 671,322 686,960 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (45,207) (12,156) (64,547) Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity 1,075,937 1,072,952 1,029,473 Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 3,846 3,171 3,771 Total shareholders' equity 1,079,783 1,076,123 1,033,244 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,255,469 $2,471,192 $2,138,176 See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands of dollars) Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 2008 (Unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $43,804 $21,140 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation 9,902 10,292 Amortization 504 249 Provisions for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers 583 3,766 Remeasurement loss (gain), net 6,261 (306) Other, net 13,825 10,280 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net (126,603) (182,739) Net cash used by operating activities (51,724) (137,318) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (11,158) (6,126) Purchases of short-term investments - (9,658) Maturities and sales of short-term investments - 39,608 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and other 1,813 3,866 Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (9,345) 27,690 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net (3,124) 127,318 Issuance of common stock - 37 Repurchase of common stock (2,981) (47,229) Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,712) (3,712) Dividends paid on common stock (11,461) (11,729) Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (21,278) 64,685 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 888 678 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (81,459) (44,265) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 212,626 186,070 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $131,167 $141,805 See accompanying notes.
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
NOTE 2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Effective
NOTE 3. 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
Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in other litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the 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.
NOTE 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.
Three Months Ended June 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2009 2008 Basic Earnings Per Share Numerator for basic earnings per share Net income attributable to Universal Corporation $43,745 $21,111 Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,712) (3,712) Earnings available toUniversal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share 40,033 17,399 Denominator for basic earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding 24,985 26,897 Basic earnings per share $1.60 $0.65 Diluted Earnings Per Share Numerator for diluted earnings per share Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders $40,033 $17,399 Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed) 3,712 -- Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share 43,745 17,399 Denominator for diluted earnings per share: Weighted average shares outstanding 24,985 26,897 Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Convertible perpetual preferred stock 4,728 -- Employee share-based awards 131 218 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 29,844 27,115 Diluted earnings per share $1.47 $0.64
For the three months ended
NOTE 5. 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 June 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2009 2008 SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations: North America $36,132 $48,427 Other regions (1) 521,172 401,485 Subtotal 557,304 449,912 Other tobacco operations (2) 58,808 56,375 Consolidated sales and other operating revenues $616,112 $506,287 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations: North America $306 $(426) Other regions (1) 63,909 35,185 Subtotal 64,215 34,759 Other tobacco operations (2) 9,198 3,378 Segment operating income 73,413 38,137 Less: Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (3) 3,641 (50) Consolidated operating income $69,772 $38,187 (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.
SOURCEUniversal Corporation
CONTACT:Karen M. L. Whelan of Universal Corporation, +1-804-359-9311, or fax: +1-804-254-3584, investor@universalleaf.com/ Web Site: http://www.universalcorp.com /