RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), reported net income of $7.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, which ended on June 30, 2020. Those results were up $5.2 million compared with net income of $2.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Excluding certain non-recurring items, detailed in Other Items below, net income and diluted earnings per share declined by $4.3 million and $0.17, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019. Operating income of $8.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, increased by $1.0 million, compared to operating income of $7.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. Segment operating income was $4.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, down $3.2 million compared to the same period last fiscal year, mainly as a result of earnings declines in the Other Regions and Other Tobacco Operations segments. Revenues of $315.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, increased by $18.9 million, or 6%, on higher total sales volumes, offset in part by lower sales and leaf prices as well as a less favorable mix.

Mr. Freeman stated, "Our fiscal year 2021 is off to a slow but respectable start as nearly all of our origins continue to make good progress moving through their various tobacco growing and processing activities. The first fiscal quarter is generally the weakest of our fiscal year given seasonal timing. This fiscal year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic ("COVID"), we are also experiencing later openings of the tobacco buying seasons and slower processing due to social distancing and other local government safety requirements. We have also had some slower receipts of customer shipping instructions and orders. However, to date we have not seen a material impact to our supply chain or seasonal planting or harvesting requirements.

"Despite COVID related slowdowns, tobacco volumes in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 exceeded those of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Volumes shipped out of Brazil in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, included inventory that had been uncommitted at March 31, 2020, reducing our overall uncommitted inventory levels. As of June 30, 2020, our uncommitted inventory levels had declined significantly from fiscal year end 2020 levels, and at 20.5%, are now just outside our target range. A large portion of the shipped Brazilian volume, however, was lower margin carryover crop which impacted results for the quarter. Results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, were also impacted by several non-recurring items, including an adjustment to a contingent consideration for the acquisition of FruitSmart, interest expense associated with a disputed foreign tax matter, and an income tax benefit from issuance of final tax regulations for dividends paid by foreign subsidiaries.

"We have seen some reductions in projected global crop sizes for both burley and flue-cured tobaccos for crop year 2020. We believe that these reflect a positive adjustment to market conditions and that burley tobacco remains in a balanced supply position and that flue-cured tobacco is now in a slight oversupply position. We are also continuing to see very strong demand for natural wrapper tobaccos.

"We are prudently monitoring COVID developments around the world, and are projecting that our sales volumes for fiscal year 2021 will be weighted to the back half of the fiscal year in part due to COVID related processing slowdowns and later customer mandated shipment timing. We also have experienced some increased volatility in foreign currency rates, which we believe is related to the uncertainties from COVID.

"I am very proud of the success we continue to achieve while operating safely in more than 30 countries around the world during a time of unprecedented and disparate challenges. I believe our commitment to strong local management in our key operating areas has enabled us to react quickly and effectively to these new conditions. Our business is also built on relationships. Having these strong relationships with our customers and suppliers has allowed us to make the new remote interactions work well. I am very pleased and thankful for the hard work of our employees and the continued support of our customers, growers, and other partners during these challenging times.

"As we move forward in fiscal year 2021, we are focused on keeping our employees safe and running our business efficiently while positioning both our tobacco and non-tobacco businesses for future success. As part of our capital allocation strategy, we have made and will continue to explore disciplined investments in both tobacco opportunities and non-tobacco businesses that we believe will be able to deliver shareholder value."

FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

OTHER REGIONS:

The Other Regions segment operating loss of $4.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, was $0.5 million greater than the prior year's first fiscal quarter operating loss of $3.8 million. Although volumes in Brazil increased in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, a large portion of the sales consisted of previously uncommitted inventories of lower margin carryover crop tobacco. In addition, some volumes in Brazil that were expected to be shipped in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, were delayed on limited vessel availability at the port due to COVID. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, lower results in Brazil were partially offset by increases in Asia, largely due to higher volumes in the Philippines, and higher volumes in Africa on carryover crop shipments delayed into the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative costs for the segment were slightly lower in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as unfavorable foreign remeasurement comparisons, mainly in Mozambique, were offset by other declines in expenses including lower travel costs, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Revenues for the Other Regions segment of $204.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, were up $2.7 million compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019, on higher volumes offset in part by lower sales and leaf prices and processing revenues.

NORTH AMERICA:

Operating income for the North America segment for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, of $1.0 million was flat compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019, as higher carryover volumes from the United States and lower expenses in Mexico due to timing, offset lower processing volumes in Guatemala in part due to delays resulting from COVID restrictions. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the North America segment were flat, compared to the prior year's first fiscal quarter. Revenues for this segment increased by $12.3 million to $39.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, on higher carryover crop volumes at lower sales and leaf prices as well as a more favorable product mix.

OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

The Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income of $7.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 reflected a decrease of $2.9 million, compared to operating income of $10.5 million for this segment in the same period last year. Results from our dark tobacco operations were lower on reduced volumes in part due to delays from COVID and lower costs in the prior year. In the quarter ended June 30, 2020, results for the oriental joint venture were flat, and operating income for the segment benefited from the acquisition in January 2020 of FruitSmart, our new fruit and vegetable processing business, compared to the same quarter last fiscal year. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were down compared with the prior year's first fiscal quarter mainly due to favorable foreign currency remeasurement comparisons, primarily in Indonesia, offset in part by the addition of costs for the new FruitSmart business. Revenues for this segment increased by $4.0 million to $71.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, on the addition of our FruitSmart business partially offset by lower dark tobacco sales.

OTHER ITEMS:

Cost of goods sold in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, of $262.0 million increased by about 10% compared with the same period last year, as a result of higher sales volumes coupled with a less favorable mix. Interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, increased by $2.8 million to $6.8 million, compared with the same quarter in the prior year, largely on a non-recurring interest expense item associated with an uncertain tax matter at a foreign subsidiary. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 decreased by $1.7 million to $49.4 million compared with the same period in the prior year, as benefits from positive net foreign currency remeasurement and exchange variances, primarily in Indonesia, and lower travel costs, were offset in part by selling, general, and administrative costs for the FruitSmart business acquired in in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.

The following tables set forth certain non-recurring items included in reported results to reconcile adjusted operating income to consolidated operating income and adjusted net income to net income attributable to Universal Corporation:

 

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported a net tax benefit on pretax earnings of $5.0 million, mainly due to a $4.4 million benefit for final tax regulations issued in the quarter regarding the treatment of dividends paid by foreign subsidiaries. Without this benefit, income taxes for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, would have been a benefit of approximately $0.6 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company's income tax expense of $4.3 million included a $2.8 million net tax accrual for a tax settlement at a foreign subsidiary. Without the tax settlement charge, income taxes for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, would have been approximately $1.5 million, or a consolidated effective tax rate of approximately 29%.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Foreign governmental organizations and governmental organizations in the United States have taken various actions to combat the spread of COVID, including imposing stay-at-home orders and closing "non-essential" businesses and their operations. We continue to closely monitor developments related to the ongoing COVID pandemic and have taken and continue to take steps intended to mitigate the potential risks to us. It is paramount that our employees who operate our businesses are safe and informed. We have assessed and regularly update our existing business continuity plans for our business in the context of this pandemic. For example, we have taken precautions with regard to employee and facility hygiene, imposed travel limitations on our employees, directed certain employee groups to work remotely whenever possible, and we continue to assess protocols designed to protect our employees, customers and the public.

We continue to work with our suppliers to mitigate the impacts to our supply chain due to the ongoing pandemic. To date, we have not experienced a material impact to our supply chain. Since March 2020, we have at times experienced increased volatility in foreign currency exchange rates, which we believe is in part related to the continued uncertainties from COVID, as well as actions taken by governments and central banks in response to COVID. We expect continued volatility in foreign currency exchange rates during fiscal year 2021, though we cannot reasonably estimate the duration or extent of that volatility.

We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID, which include slower processing of our products due to controlled staffing in our facilities that could lead to later timing of shipments to our customers. We currently have sufficient liquidity to meet our current obligations and business operations remain fundamentally unchanged other than shipping delays, which could impact quarterly comparisons. This is, however, a rapidly evolving situation, and we cannot predict the extent or duration of the ongoing COVID pandemic, the effects of it on the global, national or local economy, including the impacts on our ability to access capital, or its effects on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We continue to monitor developments affecting our employees, customers and operations and will take additional steps to address the spread of COVID and its impacts, as necessary.

Additional information

Amounts described as net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per diluted share in the previous discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. Adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, and the total for segment operating income (loss) referred to in this discussion are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, diluted earnings (loss) per share, cash from operating activities or any other operating or financial performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to consolidated operating (income), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share to diluted earnings (loss) per share are provided in Other Items above. In addition, we have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) in Note 3. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements. Management evaluates the consolidated Company and segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, provide investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends.

This release 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 financial condition, results of operation, and future business plans, operations, opportunities, and prospects for its performance are forward-looking statements based upon management's current knowledge and assumptions about future events, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; integration of FruitSmart and the impact of the FruitSmart acquisition on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; reliance on a few large customers; its ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; 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; changes in exchange rates and interest rates; impacts of regulation and litigation on its customers; industry-specific risks related to its food ingredient business; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying its critical accounting policies; the promulgation and adoption of new accounting standards, new government regulations and interpretation of existing standards and regulations; 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, 2020, 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, 2020, and the Form 10-Q for the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and it undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 5, 2020, 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 5, 2020. A taped replay of the call will be available through August 19, 2020, by dialing (855) 859-2056. The confirmation number to access the replay is 2771816.

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, sources, processes, and supplies agri-products. Tobacco has been our principal focus since our founding in 1918, and we are the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. We conduct business in more than 30 countries on five continents. Our revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were $1.9 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit our website at www.universalcorp.com.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as "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, 2020.

NOTE 2.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

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 and comprehensive income were as follows:

 

 

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SOURCE Universal Corporation

Candace C. Formacek, Phone: (804) 359-9311, Fax: (804) 254-3584, Email: investor@universalleaf.com