Universal Corporation Provides Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial and Operational Update
Universal (NYSE: UVV) reported preliminary Q2 FY2025 results with sales revenue of $710.8 million and operating income of $70.7 million. The company's Tobacco Operations segment showed strong performance with $630.2 million in revenue, driven by robust customer demand and improved crop yields in Africa. The Ingredients Operations segment generated $80.6 million in revenue despite pricing pressures. The company disclosed an ongoing internal investigation regarding embezzlement by a former senior finance employee in Mozambique, involving approximately $7 million in unauthorized payments during FY2022-2025, leading to a delay in filing Form 10-Q.
Universal (NYSE: UVV) ha riportato i risultati preliminari del secondo trimestre dell'anno fiscale 2025, con un fatturato di $710,8 milioni e un reddito operativo di $70,7 milioni. Il segmento Operazioni del Tabacco ha evidenziato una forte performance con un fatturato di $630,2 milioni, sostenuto da una robusta domanda da parte dei clienti e da miglioramenti nei raccolti in Africa. Il segmento Operazioni degli Ingredienti ha generato $80,6 milioni in fatturato nonostante la pressione sui prezzi. L'azienda ha reso noto di essere sotto un'indagine interna per appropriazione indebita da parte di un ex dipendente senior delle finanze in Mozambico, coinvolgendo circa $7 milioni in pagamenti non autorizzati durante l'anno fiscale 2022-2025, il che ha portato a un ritardo nella presentazione del modulo 10-Q.
Universal (NYSE: UVV) reportó resultados preliminares del segundo trimestre del año fiscal 2025, con ingresos por ventas de $710.8 millones y un ingreso operativo de $70.7 millones. El segmento de Operaciones de Tabaco mostró un rendimiento sólido con ingresos de $630.2 millones, impulsados por una fuerte demanda de los clientes y mejores cosechas en África. El segmento de Operaciones de Ingredientes generó $80.6 millones en ingresos a pesar de las presiones de precios. La empresa reveló una investigación interna en curso sobre malversación por parte de un ex empleado senior de finanzas en Mozambique, involucrando aproximadamente $7 millones en pagos no autorizados durante el año fiscal 2022-2025, lo que ha llevado a un retraso en la presentación del Formulario 10-Q.
유니버설 (NYSE: UVV)는 2025 회계연도 2분기 예비 실적을 발표했으며, 매출은 7억 1,080만 달러, 운영 수익은 7,070만 달러였습니다. 담배 운영 부문은 고객 수요의 증가와 아프리카의 향상된 농작물 수확 덕분에 6억 3,020만 달러의 매출을 기록하며 강력한 실적을 보였습니다. 원료 운영 부문은 가격 압박에도 불구하고 8,060만 달러의 매출을 올렸습니다. 회사는 모잠비크의 전 고위 재무 직원에 의한 횡령과 관련된 내부 조사가 진행 중이며, 2022-2025 회계연도 동안 약 700만 달러의 승인되지 않은 지급이 포함되어 있어 10-Q 양식 제출에 지연이 발생했다고 밝혔습니다.
Universal (NYSE: UVV) a annoncé des résultats préliminaires pour le deuxième trimestre de l'exercice 2025, avec un chiffre d'affaires de 710,8 millions de dollars et un résultat opérationnel de 70,7 millions de dollars. Le segment Opérations Tabac a affiché de solides performances avec des revenus de 630,2 millions de dollars, soutenus par une forte demande des clients et de meilleures récoltes en Afrique. Le segment Opérations Ingrédients a généré 80,6 millions de dollars de revenus malgré les pressions sur les prix. L'entreprise a révélé qu'une enquête interne est en cours concernant des détournements de fonds par un ancien employé senior de la finance au Mozambique, impliquant environ 7 millions de dollars de paiements non autorisés pendant la période 2022-2025, entraînant un retard dans le dépôt du formulaire 10-Q.
Universal (NYSE: UVV) hat die vorläufigen Ergebnisse des zweiten Quartals des Geschäftsjahres 2025 veröffentlicht, mit einem Umsatz von 710,8 Millionen USD und einem operativen Ergebnis von 70,7 Millionen USD. Das Segment Tabaksoperationen zeigte eine starke Leistung mit einem Umsatz von 630,2 Millionen USD, unterstützt durch eine starke Kundennachfrage und verbesserte Ernteerträge in Afrika. Das Segment Zutatenoperationen erzielte trotz Preisdruck 80,6 Millionen USD Umsatz. Das Unternehmen gab bekannt, dass eine interne Untersuchung wegen Unterschlagung durch einen ehemaligen leitenden Finanzmitarbeiter in Mosambik läuft, bei der es um etwa 7 Millionen USD nicht autorisierter Zahlungen im Zeitraum 2022-2025 geht, was zu einer Verzögerung bei der Einreichung des Formulars 10-Q geführt hat.
- Strong tobacco operations performance with $630.2 million in revenue
- Low uncommitted tobacco inventory levels at 10%
- Available credit facility of approximately $330 million
- Ranked in 91st percentile globally for sustainability by EcoVadis
- Delayed Form 10-Q filing due to internal investigation of $7M embezzlement case
- Restructuring and impairment costs of $10.6 million
- Net debt of approximately $1.1 billion
- Pricing pressures in Ingredients Operations segment due to inflation
Insights
The preliminary Q2 FY2025 results show mixed performance. Revenue came in at
Two significant concerns emerge: First, an internal investigation revealed potential embezzlement of approximately
The
The delay in SEC filings due to the embezzlement investigation could create near-term market uncertainty and compliance risks. However, the core business fundamentals remain sound with strong tobacco operations performance driven by African operations' higher yields and quality.
The ingredients segment's challenges reflect broader market conditions, with food inflation affecting customer behavior. The expanded Lancaster facility positions the company for future growth but current underutilization impacts profitability. The high EcoVadis sustainability rating (
Reports Preliminary Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results
Highlights Continued Strong Operational Performance
Files Form 12b-25, Delays Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call
Preston D. Wigner, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation, stated, "The Universal team delivered another quarter of solid results, driven by strong customer demand from our Tobacco Operations segment and larger, higher quality, and better yielding crops in
PRELIMINARY UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS | |
(in millions of dollars, except per share data) | Three Months Ended |
September 30, | |
2024 | |
Consolidated Results | |
Sales and other operating revenue | $ 710.8 |
Restructuring and impairment costs | 10.6 |
Operating income | 70.7 |
Net Income attributable to Universal Corporation | 27.6 |
Basic earnings per share | 1.11 |
Diluted earnings per share | 1.10 |
Segment Results | |
Tobacco operations sales and other operating revenues | $ 630.2 |
Tobacco operations operating income | 79.3 |
Ingredients operations sales and other operating revenues | 80.6 |
Ingredients operations operating income | 1.3 |
Highlights of the Quarter
Consolidated Results
- Revenues and operating income driven by strong tobacco sales volumes and prices.
Tobacco Operations Segment
- Tobacco Operations segment results reflect continued strong customer demand; larger, higher quality, better yielding crops in
Africa ; accelerated shipment timing per certain customers' requests; sales of carryover crops. - Successful tobacco procurement and marketing efforts, despite negative impacts from adverse weather, mainly in
South America andNorth America this fiscal year. - Uncommitted tobacco inventory levels remained low at about
10% at quarter end.
Ingredients Operations Segment
- Increased sales volumes for the Ingredients Operations segment.
- Customer pressure due to the inflationary environment impacted demand and pricing for certain products in the Ingredients Operations segment.
- Anticipated increases in production resulted in additional expenses for increased staffing at the expanded
Lancaster, Pennsylvania , ingredients facility.
Liquidity and Debt
- Cash balance at quarter end was approximately
.$80 million - Approximately
available under revolving credit facility as of quarter end.$330 million - Net debt, defined as the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including any current portion, and customer advances and deposits, less cash and cash equivalents) was approximately
at quarter end.$1.1 billion - Expect continued strong demand for leaf tobacco will support intention to reduce net debt levels over the next few quarters.
Additional Item
- Restructuring and impairment costs related to the previously announced consolidation of the Company's European sheet operations.
The preliminary unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, included in this press release represent the most current information available to management and are not a comprehensive statement of the financial results for this period. Consequently, the preliminary unaudited financial results do not present all necessary information for a complete understanding of the Company's financial condition as of September 30, 2024 or its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Actual results may differ from these preliminary unaudited results due to developments that may arise between the date of this press release and the time that financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 are finalized.
Sustainability Update
Universal continually looks to set new standards for social and environmental performance. The Company recently completed a thorough assessment of its sustainability practices and performance through EcoVadis, a leading global third-party platform for business sustainability ratings. As a result of the assessment, EcoVadis ranked Universal in the 91st percentile of the companies rated globally in the prior 12 months. The assessment included 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
Other Corporate Developments
The Company has filed a Form 12b-25, Notification of Late Filing, with the
As a result of the additional time required to complete its internal investigation, the process of finalizing financial statements for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 could not be completed on a timely basis. Universal intends to file the Form 10-Q as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the internal investigation, which it expects will not occur prior to the Form 12b-25 extended deadline of November 18, 2024. As of the date of this press release, the Company has not determined whether material adjustments to its previously issued financial statements will be necessary as a result of the matter or whether internal controls over financial reporting were designed and operating effectively. Universal expects to receive a standard filing delinquency notification from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and to discuss the status of the Form 10-Q with the NYSE. The NYSE typically grants listed companies a six-month period to cure a filing delinquency. Universal is committed to completing a deliberate, thorough investigation while diligently working to fulfill all reporting obligations.
Mr. Wigner continued, "Integrity is a core value of ours and a key to everything we do at Universal. We are committed to ensuring that this matter is handled appropriately, and we are working to complete this investigation as soon as practicable."
Additional information regarding the Company's internal investigation can be found in its filings with the SEC.
Earnings Release and Investor Conference Call
The Company is postponing its second quarter earnings release and conference call to allow additional time to complete the Form 10-Q for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended September 30, 2024. The Company intends to make a subsequent announcement to schedule the date and time of its second quarter earnings report once the filing date of its Form 10-Q is confirmed.
About Universal Corporation
Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agricultural company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs and precise specifications. Through our diverse network of farmers and partners across more than 30 countries on five continents, we are a trusted provider of high-quality, traceable products. We leverage our extensive supply chain expertise, global reach, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability to provide a range of products and services designed to drive efficiency and deliver value to our customers. For more information, visit www.universalcorp.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, these statements include statements made in Mr. Wigner's quotations, statements regarding expectations with respect to our ingredients facility, ingredients business, and tobacco business, the ongoing internal investigation including descriptions of its scope and impact, expectations about the Company's reporting of its results and filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the potential financial statement impact of the investigated matter, and the preliminary unaudited financial information for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "could," "should," "may," "plan," "will," "predict," "estimate," and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are 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, the uncertainty of the ultimate findings of the ongoing internal investigation, as well as the timing of its completion and costs and expenses arising out of the ongoing internal investigation process and its results; the impact of the ongoing internal investigation on us, our management and operations, including financial impact as well as any litigation or regulatory action that may arise from the ongoing internal investigation; the impact of the internal investigation on our conclusions regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures; our ability to regain compliance with NYSE listing requirements; success in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions and integration of new businesses and the impact of these new businesses on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; our reliance on a few large customers; our ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; costs incurred in providing these products and services including increased transportation costs and delays attributed to global supply chain challenges; timing of shipments to customers; higher inflation rates; changes in market structure; government regulation and other stakeholder expectations; economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our customers operate, including the ongoing impacts from international conflicts; 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 plant-based ingredient businesses; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying our 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. Please also refer to such other factors as discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Universal's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and related disclosures in other filings which have been filed with the
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SOURCE Universal Corporation
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