News Details

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.

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.