Universal Corporation Reports Annual Results and Improved Fourth Quarter Earnings

RICHMOND, Va., May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

HIGHLIGHTS
Fiscal Year 2015
Diluted earnings per share of $4.06
Segment operating income of $167 million, down $8 million
Improved margins on slightly lower volumes
Revenues down 11% to $2.3 billion
Repurchased 3.1% of common shares outstanding

Fourth Quarter
Diluted earnings per share of $1.64
Segment operating income of $53 million, up 18%
Revenues up 13% to $778 million on higher sales volumes

George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), announced that net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, was $114.6 million, or $4.06 per diluted share, compared with last year's net income of $149.0 million, or $5.25 per diluted share. Last year's results included a gain of $81.6 million before tax ($53.1 million after tax, or $1.87 per diluted share), from the favorable outcome of litigation in Brazil related to previous years' excise tax credits. Results for the current fiscal year included a further gain related to those tax credits, of $12.7 million before tax ($0.29 per diluted share) recorded in the fourth fiscal quarter from updated projections of the utilization of the credits before expiration. The current year also included an income tax benefit of $8.0 million ($0.28 per diluted share) arising from a subsidiary's payment of a portion of a fine following the resolution of a court case. Pretax restructuring costs of $4.9 million ($0.11 per diluted share) and $6.7 million ($0.15 per diluted share) were also incurred for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Excluding those items in both years, net income for the fiscal year increased $1.2 million ($0.07 per diluted share) compared to the same period last year. Segment operating income, which excludes those items, was $167.2 million for fiscal year 2015, a decrease of $8.0 million from the prior year. That reduction was primarily attributable to this year's lower sales volumes, partially mitigated by a reduction in selling, general, and administrative costs. Revenues of $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2015 declined 11% compared with the previous year, driven mainly by those lower overall volumes and modestly lower green leaf costs.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2015, was $45.8 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, compared with net income for the prior year's fourth fiscal quarter of $26.7 million, or $0.94 per diluted share. The fourth quarter results included restructuring costs before tax of $0.4 million ($0.01 per diluted share) and $2.0 million ($0.04 per diluted share) for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015 included the $12.7 million pretax gain ($0.29 per diluted share) related to the reversal of the Brazilian excise tax credit allowance mentioned above. Segment operating income for the period of $52.8 million improved by $7.9 million, or 18%, compared with the previous fiscal year, as improved results in the Other Regions and North America segments were partly offset by a decline for the Other Tobacco Operations segment. Consolidated revenues for the fourth fiscal quarter increased by 13% to $778.2 million, on higher sales volumes in every segment, reflecting this year's later shipping patterns and a better overall product mix, offset by lower green leaf costs.

Mr. Freeman stated, "Given fiscal year 2015's oversupplied market conditions, I am pleased with the results we achieved. We ended the year with strong fourth quarter results, which helped to bring our segment operating earnings for the fiscal year in line with our expectations. We also realized higher margins, maintained our solid financial position, and returned over $90 million to our shareholders in dividends and share repurchases this fiscal year. Our performance demonstrates our ability to execute well on our objective of delivering a compliant product in an efficient manner to our customers, under challenging circumstances.

"We are well-positioned as we enter fiscal year 2016 with substantial cash balances and manageable uncommitted inventory levels. Markets in Africa and Brazil have opened at a similar pace compared to last year, and crop qualities are mixed, with production volumes expected to be lower in most origins. Although we are not seeing significant delays in customer orders, we expect shipping instructions to be weighted towards the second half of our fiscal year. In addition, while our own leaf inventories are well-managed, global tobacco leaf inventory volumes are high. This may have the effect of extending the duration of the oversupply conditions, despite reduced new crop production and a more positive outlook for demand from some customers based on recent recoveries in certain of their retail markets.

"Looking beyond near-term market conditions, we are optimistic about the future as we believe there are several trends in our business that could provide opportunities for us to increase our market share and to offer additional services to our customers. We have recently seen an increase in the level of supply chain services, which include direct purchasing, that we provide our customers, notably in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. We believe these moves acknowledge the efficiencies and services that global leaf suppliers bring to the entire supply chain. In addition, we believe that compliant leaf requirements and reduction in sourcing complexity will continue to be important to our customers and should favor stable global leaf suppliers who are able to meet these requirements."

FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

OTHER REGIONS:

Operating income for the Other Regions segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, was $125.8 million, down 6% compared to $133.4 million in the previous fiscal year. The decrease was attributable mainly to reduced sales volumes in all regions along with inventory writedowns, primarily in Africa and South America, reflecting this year's oversupply market conditions. The impact of those factors was somewhat mitigated by improved gross margins, particularly in Brazil, where volatile markets increased green leaf costs last year, as well as benefits from lower selling, general and administrative costs. Results for Europe were also negatively influenced by currency translation effects from a stronger U.S. dollar. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the segment declined for the fiscal year, mostly from lower currency remeasurement and exchange losses in the Philippines and Brazil, lower provisions for supplier advances, and positive comparisons of value-added tax valuation allowances, partly offset by higher customer claims. Revenues for the segment were down about 10% to $1.7 billion, on reduced volumes and lower average green leaf prices.

Operating income for the Other Regions segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, increased by 17% to $35.8 million, compared with the same period last year. The improved results were driven by significantly higher volumes in South America and Africa from shipments delayed into the fourth quarter this year. Those benefits were partially offset by lower sales in Europe and reduced volumes for the period in Asia. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the Other Regions segment were higher for the quarter, due to higher benefit and incentive compensation accruals, larger currency remeasurement losses in Africa, and an unfavorable variance for provisions for suppliers, partly offset by positive variances for value-added tax valuation allowances. Revenues for the segment increased by 16% to $566.4 million for the fourth fiscal quarter compared to the prior year, on a combination of higher volumes, an improved product mix, and lower green leaf prices.

NORTH AMERICA:

Operating income for the North America segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was $31.1 million, up $7.8 million compared with the previous year, on increased third party processing business and a more favorable sales mix, despite lower overall sales volumes. Revenues for the segment for fiscal year 2015 decreased by 13% to $305.0 million on reduced sales volumes and lower green leaf prices. Segment operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 also improved, by $4.6 million to $9.2 million, compared with the same period last year. Those results were mostly driven by a more favorable sales mix and higher processing volumes. Revenues for this segment for the fourth fiscal quarter increased by 3% to $101.2 million, primarily reflecting higher processing revenues, while higher sales volumes were largely offset by lower green leaf prices. Selling, general, and administrative costs for this segment were relatively flat for both periods.

OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income was down $8.2 million to $10.3 million compared with the same period of the prior year. Results for the dark tobacco operations contributed significantly to the decline, as lower sales volumes, in part due to shipment timing, were partially mitigated by favorable currency remeasurement comparisons, mainly in Indonesia. Results for the special services group also contributed to the decline, reflecting startup costs for the new food ingredients business. However, results from the oriental joint venture improved for the fiscal year despite sales volume declines influenced by shipment timing comparisons. The impact from the volume declines was more than offset by favorable variances from the prior year's currency remeasurement losses and lower selling, general and administrative costs. Revenues for the segment were down by $34.3 million to $227.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2015, compared to the previous year, primarily attributable to the lower volumes for the dark tobacco operations, as well as lower overall volumes and the timing of shipments of oriental tobaccos into the United States.

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2015, the segment's operating income declined by $1.9 million to $7.7 million, compared to the same period last year. Results for the dark tobacco operations were lower for the quarter despite higher sales volumes, on lower margins and weaker product mix from a decline in wrapper volumes, as well as higher selling, general, and administrative costs mostly from comparisons to currency remeasurement gains in the prior year fourth fiscal quarter. Those declines were partly offset by benefits from the timing of oriental tobaccos shipped into the United States that were delayed into the fourth quarter this year. Revenues for this segment in the fourth fiscal quarter increased by 8% to $110.5 million compared with the same period for the previous year. Dark tobacco operations revenues increased on the higher sales volumes, which were due in part to timing of shipments delayed into the fourth quarter this year. Lower volumes and prices reduced oriental tobacco revenues from shipments into the United States.

OTHER ITEMS:

Cost of goods sold decreased by about 12% to $1.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, consistent with lower overall sales volumes and lower green leaf prices compared with the previous year. For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, cost of goods sold increased by about 12%, to $656.1 million, on a combination of higher sales volumes and lower leaf prices. Selling, general, and administrative costs decreased by $11.8 million for fiscal year 2015 and increased by $12.6 million for the fourth fiscal quarter, compared with the respective prior periods. The decline for the fiscal year was primarily related to lower currency remeasurement and exchange costs, provisions for suppliers, and value-added tax allowances, partly offset by higher customer claims. The increase for the fourth quarter was attributable to higher benefit and incentive compensation accruals, higher currency remeasurement losses, mainly in Africa and Indonesia, and an unfavorable variance for losses on provisions for suppliers, partly offset by positive comparisons of value-added tax valuation allowances.

Interest expense of $17.1 million for fiscal year 2015 and $3.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, declined by about 16% and 2%, compared to respective periods in the prior fiscal year. The reduction was mostly due to lower average interest rates during the periods, offset in part by slightly higher average debt balances. The consolidated effective income tax rates on pretax earnings were approximately 24% and 33% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income taxes for fiscal year 2015 were reduced by a non-recurring benefit of $8.0 million arising from the partial payment of the European Commission fine by our Italian subsidiary in June 2014. Excluding that item, the consolidated effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 was about 29%. The effective income tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, was about 25% compared with 31% for the same period last year. The rates for all periods, excluding adjustments, were below the 35% federal statutory rate mainly because of the effect of changes in exchange rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as well as lower effective rates on dividend income from certain foreign subsidiaries.

On December 30, 2014, the Company executed a new senior unsecured credit facility agreement with a group of banks, which consolidated and extended maturities of its previous short-term revolving credit and long-term borrowing facilities. The new agreement includes a $430 million 5-year revolving credit facility, a $150 million 5-year term loan, and a $220 million 7-year term loan. The revolving credit facility contains terms and conditions that are substantially similar to the Company's previous revolving credit facility. The term loans, which were fully funded at closing, require no amortization and are prepayable without penalty prior to maturity. The facilities include a customary accordion feature allowing for additional borrowings of up to $100 million under certain conditions. Currently, borrowings under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50% to 1.75%. The Company subsequently entered interest rate swap agreements to fix the variable interest component of the 5- and 7-year term loans to 1.44% and 1.73%, respectively. The effective rates on the 5- and 7-year term loans were 2.94% and 3.48%, respectively, as of May 18, 2015.

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 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 to consolidated operating income 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, 2014, 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, 2014.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 19, 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 August 4, 2015. A taped replay of the call will be available through June 1, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056. The confirmation number to access the replay is 47222214.

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries ("Universal" or the "Company"), is the leading global leaf 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. 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, 2014.

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, 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 were as follows:

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150325/194370LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-corporation-reports-annual-results-and-improved-fourth-quarter-earnings-300085893.html

SOURCE Universal Corporation