Universal (TG:UVV)
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RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
HIGHLIGHTS
Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.47 versus $0.64 last year.
Revenues up 22% to $616 million on higher volumes from earlier shipments and better product mix.
Operating income up 83% to $70 million.
George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), announced that net income attributable to Universal Corporation for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended on June 30, 2009, was $43.7 million, or $1.47 per diluted share. Those results more than doubled last year's income of $21.1 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, mostly because of earlier shipments of tobacco this year and a more favorable product mix. The same factors caused a 22% revenue increase compared to the same quarter last year. Revenues for the quarter were about $616 million.
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.
"Japan Tobacco Inc., one of our largest customers, recently announced steps to enhance their direct leaf procurement capabilities by acquiring and entering joint ventures with smaller leaf merchants. They enumerated several factors that prompted their moves, including the desire to enhance internal expertise in leaf procurement, actively manage the leaf supply chain, and work more directly with tobacco growers. Over time, these steps are likely to reduce our volumes with them in the United States, and may affect other regions as well. However, the overall impact and timing cannot yet be determined. We are continuing our dialogue with Japan Tobacco and believe that we will continue our long-term relationship.
"Two Board members are retiring after long service to the Company: Joseph C. Farrell and Walter A. Stosch. Both are veteran Board members who have provided us with the benefit of their long and successful experience in business and finance. We wish them well and thank them for their insightful guidance. In addition, Robert C. Sledd has been elected to the Board today. He is Managing Partner of Pinnacle Ventures, LLC, a venture capital company, and Sledd Properties, LLC, an investment company. He served as the Chairman of Performance Food Group until June 2008, and currently serves as a Director of Owens & Minor, Inc. and SCP Pool Corporation."
FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:
Operating income for our flue-cured and burley tobacco operations increased by 85% to $64 million. That performance includes results from our North America and Other Regions segments. Operating income for the North America segment reflected its normal seasonal low period, but its performance was also affected by lower sales volumes of old crop U.S. leaf this quarter and lower Canadian volumes from the reduced crop there. The volume decline significantly reduced that segment's revenues. In contrast, operating income for the Other Regions segment includes the seasonally strong Brazilian operations, which were characterized this year by substantially higher volumes due to earlier shipments. Average leaf sales prices were lower this year, reflecting lower leaf costs. Leaf costs were lower in U.S. dollar terms because of the weaker Brazilian currency during the leaf purchasing season; however, a significant portion of that cost of producing the crop was incurred in the form of inputs advanced to farmers before the local currency weakened and was included in last year's remeasurement losses. Earlier shipments of tobacco from Europe and increased volumes in Asia also benefited the quarter's results, while lower shipments of old crop tobacco from Africa reduced that region's results during its seasonal low period. Revenues for the Other Regions segment increased by nearly 30%, primarily due to the earlier shipments from Brazil and Europe, and the increased Asian trading volumes, which were partly offset by the lower sales of old crop tobacco from Africa. In addition to increased volumes, revenues increased on higher proportions of lamina in shipments during the quarter and higher prices for certain Asian trading volumes.
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 $476 million in the quarter on the increased volumes shipped, offset by lower costs as the U.S. dollar strengthened against the currencies of many origins during the leaf purchasing season. Selling, general, and administrative costs increased by 7%, reflecting additional currency remeasurement losses of about $6 million. Interest expense was comparable to that of fiscal year 2009, and the effective income tax rate was similar to last year's rate.
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 March 31, 2009, 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, 2009.
At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 4, 2009, the Company will host a conference call to discuss these results. Those wishing to listen to the call may do so by visiting http://www.universalcorp.com/ at that time. A replay of the webcast will be available at that site for three months. A taped replay of the call will also be available until August 25, 2009, by dialing (800) 642-1687. The confirmation number to access the replay is 22877191.
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is the world's leading tobacco merchant and processor and conducts business in more than 30 countries. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, were $2.6 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at http://www.universalcorp.com/.
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 on Universal 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
Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries ("Universal" or the "Company"), is the world's leading leaf tobacco merchant and processor. 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. This press release 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, 2009.
NOTE 2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Effective April 1, 2009, Universal adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51" ("SFAS 160"). SFAS 160 requires that noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that are included in a company's consolidated financial statements, commonly referred to as "minority interests," be reported as a component of shareholders' equity in the balance sheet. It also requires that a company's consolidated net income include the amounts attributable to both the company's interest and the noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary, identified separately in the financial statements. The new guidance requires certain disclosures about noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. Adoption of SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
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 Brazil and support the farmers' production of tobacco there. At June 30, 2009, the Company's total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary in Brazil for banking facilities of farmers in that country was approximately $82 million, net of the accrual recorded for the fair value of the guarantees. About 44% of these guarantees expire within one year, and all of the remainder expire within five years. The subsidiary withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forwards those payments to the third-party banks. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary to cover their obligations to the third-party banks could result in a liability for the subsidiary under the related guarantees; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company's subsidiary could be required to make at June 30, 2009, was the face amount ($82 million) including unpaid accrued interest ($110 million as of June 30, 2008, and $104 million at March 31, 2009). The fair value of the guarantees was a liability of approximately $36 million at June 30, 2009 ($37 million at June 30, 2008, and $35 million at March 31, 2009). In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $53 million, primarily related to a bank guarantee that bonds an appeal of a 2006 fine in the European Union.
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 to Universal 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 June 30, 2008, conversion of the Company's outstanding Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock was not assumed since the effect was not dilutive to earnings per share.
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.
DATASOURCE: Universal Corporation
CONTACT: Karen M. L. Whelan of Universal Corporation, +1-804-359-9311,
or fax: +1-804-254-3584,
Web Site: http://www.universalcorp.com/