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Verdict
Quantitative factor alignment verified for current market regime.
Quant Score
Rank
#2293
Positioning
Market Dominance
Wholesale Trade
Wholesale
$1.4B
George C. Freeman
Universal Corporation processes and supplies leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. The company operates through two segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. It provides value-added services, including blending, chemical, and physical testing of tobacco. Universal Corporation was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
Headcount
25.0K
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Dates updated upon official exchange announcement.
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X-AXIS: EV/EBITDA (LOWER = CHEAPER) | Y-AXIS: ROE (HIGHER = ELITE) | RED CIRCLE = UVV ANALYSIS TARGET
| Stock | Rating | Score▼ | Quality | Value | Momentum | P/E | EV/EBITDA | ROE | ROA | Gross Mgn | Op Mgn | Net Mgn | Rev Growth | Div Yield | D/E | Mkt Cap | AUDIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$ITRN Ituran Location & Control Ltd. | 74 | 95 | 97 | 62 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$COR Cencora, Inc. | 70 | 84 | 77 | 70 | 21.1x | 11.8x | 161.7% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 1.1% | 0.9% | 8.6% | 0.7% | 416.0x | $58.1B | VS | |
$CENT CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO | 70 | 84 | 95 | 48 | 5.9x | 3.5x | 20.3% | 8.5% | 34.5% | 14.1% | 9.9% | -3.6% | 0.0% | 75.0x | $2.2B | VS | |
$SNX TD SYNNEX CORP | 67 | 80 | 93 | 57 | 13.5x | 6.2x | 13.1% | 2.9% | 7.2% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 6.6% | 1.2% | 50.0x | $12.2B | VS | |
$HLF HERBALIFE LTD. | 65 | 60 | 75 | 96 | 5.0x | 1.4x | -32.4% | 6.3% | 77.7% | 9.9% | 3.4% | 2.7% | 0.0% | - | $870M | VS | |
$GIC GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL Co | 65 | 82 | 60 | 62 | 18.7x | 12.5x | 24.0% | 12.5% | 35.6% | 7.4% | 5.3% | 3.3% | 2.8% | 0.0x | $1.4B | VS | |
$JXG JX Luxventure Group Inc. | 63 | 84 | 75 | 88 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$FERG Ferguson Enterprises Inc. /DE/ | 63 | 74 | 48 | 67 | 21.4x | 14.3x | 39.4% | 12.6% | 30.7% | 9.4% | 7.0% | 5.1% | 1.3% | 68.0x | $48.9B | VS | |
$SYY SYSCO CORP | 60 | 68 | 49 | 65 | 22.7x | 9.2x | 89.9% | 5.9% | 18.3% | 3.3% | 1.9% | 3.0% | 2.9% | 595.0x | $35.3B | VS | |
$DXPE DXP ENTERPRISES INC | 60 | 58 | 55 | 79 | 21.6x | 8.5x | 25.1% | 6.2% | 31.4% | 8.5% | 4.2% | 8.6% | 0.0% | 128.0x | $1.9B | VS | |
$UVV UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ | 48 | 38 | 77 | 46 | 8.5x | 4.7x | 10.4% | 5.3% | 18.7% | 8.9% | 4.8% | 20.4% | 5.9% | 98.0x | $1.4B | ||
| SECTOR BENCH | - | - | - | - | - | 19.1x | 8.2x | 8.6% | 3.4% | 27.4% | 3.4% | 1.4% | 3.6% | 0.6% | 0.6x | - | REF |
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ (UVV) receives a "Reduce" rating with a composite score of 48.3/100. It ranks #2293 out of 7,333 stocks in our coverage universe and carries a 2-star rating. Ratings are driven by a 6-factor quantitative model measuring quality, value, momentum, investment, stability, and short interest.
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HQ Base
Richmond, Virginia
In-line with peers — no strong momentum signal
Trading at a discount to fundamentals — favorable entry valuation
Average quality profile
Low volatility — smoother ride and historically better risk-adjusted returns
Moderate investment profile
Mid-range overall rating
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Relative valuation derived from Wholesale Trade sector benchmarks. Model weights: EV/EBITDA (40%), P/B (35%), P/S (25%). Re-calculated daily.
Projection based on user-defined inputs. Re-calculated daily against current market data.
Reverse DCF Framework — Mauboussin Methodology
Institutional-grade Reverse DCF analysis. This model identifies the growth hurdles embedded in current market prices. When implied growth is significantly lower than historical or projected rates, a margin of safety may exist. Re-audited daily.
No analyst ratings for UVV.
View All Ratings| Factor | Global | Sector | Tilt |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROFITABILITY | 38 | 35 | +3NEUTRAL |
| MOMENTUM | 46 | 42 | +4NEUTRAL |
| VALUATION | 77 | 92 | -15DRAG |
| INVESTMENT | 45 | 88 | -43DRAG |
| STABILITY | 81 | 90 | -9DRAG |
| SHORT INT | 23 | 11 | +12ALPHA |
Global = full universe. Sector = relative to industry peers. Positive tilt indicates idiosyncratic strength.
ROE proxy 10.4% (sector 8.6%)
GM 19% vs sector 27%, OM 9% vs sector 3%
Capital turnover N/A
Rev growth 20%, 11yr history
Interest coverage 4.7x
Composite assessment of profitability, capital efficiency, and financial strength. Top-tier entities demonstrate sustainable cash flow generation and elite competitive moats.
Profit generated per dollar of shareholder equity
Efficiency of asset utilization
Pricing power and cost efficiency
Core business profitability
Bottom-line profitability
The Quality factor evaluates the persistence and magnitude of realized cash flows. Companies with scores >70 exhibit superior pricing power and structural financial resilience through diverse economic regimes.
Our uncertainty rating tracks the predictability of future cash flows and potential for permanent capital loss. Moderate visibility with standard industry cyclicality.
We rate UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ (UVV) as a Reduce with a composite score of 48.3/100 at a current price of $53.47. The quantitative profile shows weakness across multiple dimensions, suggesting limited upside potential.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ holds a lower-quartile position (#49 of 50) within the Wholesale Trade sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 48.3/100 places it at rank #2293 in our full universe.
Narrow
Low
Standard
Undervalued
Value factor score of 77 suggests attractive pricing.
Stable competitive position in a defensive sector.
Vulnerability to macroeconomic shocks and interest rate volatility.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ represents a reduce based on multi-factor quantitative performance.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ receives a Reduce rating from our analysis, with a composite score of 48.3/100 and 2 out of 5 stars, ranking #2293 out of 7,333 stocks. UVV's factor profile shows weakness across multiple dimensions, suggesting the stock may underperform going forward. Existing holders may want to consider trimming positions or tightening stop-losses.
UVV's quality score of 38/100 is below average, suggesting challenges with profitability or capital efficiency. The company reports a return on equity of 10.4% (sector avg: 8.6%), gross margins of 18.7% (sector avg: 27.4%), net margins of 4.8% (sector avg: 1.4%). Investors should examine whether management is actively addressing these weaknesses or if they reflect structural industry headwinds.
UVV carries a solid value score of 77/100, pointing to an attractively priced stock relative to peers. Key valuation metrics include a P/E ratio of 8.46x, an EV/EBITDA of 4.66x, a P/B ratio of 0.88x. This score suggests reasonable compensation for the risks involved, with potential upside if the market recognizes the stock's underlying worth.
With an investment score of 45/100, UVV exhibits moderate growth-oriented spending. Key growth metrics include revenue growth of 20.4% vs. a sector average of 3.6% and a return on assets of 5.3% (sector: 3.4%). The company appears to be balancing growth investments with capital returns, though the pace of investment may not be enough to accelerate top-line growth meaningfully.
UVV is currently showing below-average momentum at 46/100, which may indicate weakening institutional interest or negative sentiment shifts. Revenue growth stands at 20.4% year-over-year, while a beta of 0.14 reflects its sensitivity to broader market moves. Investors should note that declining momentum can precede further price weakness, though contrarian opportunities sometimes emerge at these levels.
UVV shows good financial stability with a score of 81/100. Key stability metrics include a beta of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 98.00x (sector avg: 0.6x). This suggests manageable leverage and moderate price volatility, making it appropriate for investors seeking a balance between growth potential and capital preservation.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/'s short interest score of 23/100 reveals significant bearish positioning, suggesting institutional investors are actively betting against the stock. Specific risk factors include elevated leverage (D/E: 98.00x), small-cap liquidity risk. At $1.4B (small-cap), UVV carries meaningful risk and is best suited for investors with high risk tolerance who have thoroughly evaluated the bear thesis.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ offers an attractive dividend yield of 5.9%, placing it among the higher-yielding stocks in its peer group. This compares to a sector average dividend yield of 0.6%. A yield this high can provide meaningful income, but investors should verify the payout is sustainable by examining the payout ratio, free cash flow coverage, and any history of dividend cuts.
UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ is a small-cap company in the Wholesale Trade sector, ranked #49 of 50 in its sector (2nd percentile) and #2293 of 7,333 overall (69th percentile). Key comparisons include ROE of 10.4% exceeding the 8.6% sector median and operating margins of 8.9% above the 3.4% sector average. This bottom-quartile standing highlights significant competitive headwinds within the Wholesale Trade space.
While UVV currently exhibits a REDUCE profile, superior opportunities exist within the WHOLESALE TRADE sector. Our model identifies several "Strong Buy" candidates with higher quality scores and more attractive valuations among direct industry competitors.
View Top Wholesale Trade Alpha →Quant Factor Profile
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Improvement in Short Int. (23) would have the largest impact on the composite score.
RANK #49 OF 50 IN CONSUMER STAPLES
EV/EBITDA 43% BELOW SECTOR MEDIAN (FAVORABLE)
ROE 21% ABOVE SECTOR MEDIAN (FAVORABLE)
Gross Margin 32% BELOW SECTOR MEDIAN

About UNIVERSAL CORP Universal Corporation processes and supplies leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. It is involved in procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The company contracts, purchases, processes, and sells flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos that are primarily used in the manufacture
Universal (UVV) is back in focus after reporting third quarter and nine month results to December 31, 2025, showing lower sales and net income year on year, with no share repurchases completed. See our latest analysis for Universal. Universal’s recent earnings softness sits against a relatively steady share price, with a 90 day share price return of 3.9% and a 1 year total shareholder return of 7.26%. This suggests modest but ongoing momentum despite weaker quarterly results and inactive...
Universal Corp (UVV) shares came under pressure after third quarter results missed earnings and revenue expectations. Management pointed to weaker tobacco volumes, margin pressure, and an operating loss in the ingredients segment. See our latest analysis for Universal. Universal’s share price reaction to the earnings miss has fed into a weaker near term trend, with a 7 day share price return of 7.54% and a 30 day share price return of 1.58%. However, the 1 year total shareholder return of...

Three companies reported mixed earnings results: CNA Financial missed on EPS and revenue but raised dividends; monday.com exceeded expectations with 25% revenue growth; Universal Corporation fell short on both metrics due to market headwinds and lower tobacco sales.
Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) is included among the Dividend Champions, Contenders, and Challengers List: 15 Highest Yielding Stocks. Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) reported its fiscal Q3 2026 results on February 9, with Chairman, President, and CEO Preston D. Wigner describing the quarter and the first nine months of the fiscal year as a solid stretch for the […]
Above 50MA
37.18%
Net New Highs
+51081