Universal Corporation Reports Annual Results and Increased Fourth Quarter Earnings

RICHMOND, Va., May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --  

HIGHLIGHTS

Fiscal Year 2016Diluted earnings per share of $3.92 Operating income up $14 million, to $182 millionImproved margins on slightly higher volumesRevenues of $2.1 billion, down 7% on lower green prices

Fourth QuarterDiluted earnings per share of $1.72, up 5%Operating income up 31%, to $80 millionRevenues up 3% to $804 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, 2016, was $109.0 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, compared with last year's net income of $114.6 million, or $4.06 per diluted share. Those results included certain non-recurring items, detailed in Other Items below, which increased diluted earnings per share by $0.02 and $0.46 for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding those items in both years, net income for the fiscal year increased $6.8 million ($0.30 per diluted share) compared to the same period last year. Segment operating income, which excludes those items, was $186.1 million for fiscal year 2016, an increase of $18.8 million, or 11%, from the prior year. That improvement was primarily attributable to a reduction in selling, general, and administrative costs, as well as improved gross margins on this year's modestly higher sales volumes. Revenues of $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2016 declined 7% compared with the previous year, driven mainly by lower green leaf costs and lower processing revenues, partly mitigated by the increase in volumes.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2016, was $48.0 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, compared with net income for the prior year's fourth fiscal quarter of $45.8 million, or $1.64 per diluted share. The fiscal year 2015 fourth quarter results also included certain non-recurring items, detailed in Other Items below, which increased diluted earnings per share by $0.29. Excluding those items, net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 increased $10.2 million ($0.37 per diluted share) compared to the same period last year. Segment operating income for the period of $83.3 million was up by $30.5 million, compared with the previous fiscal year, on improved results in every segment as stronger sales volumes and lower selling, general, and administrative costs led to overall higher earnings for the quarter. Consolidated revenues for the fourth fiscal quarter increased by 3% to $804.0 million, as higher sales volumes, reflecting this year's later shipping patterns, were partially offset by lower green leaf costs.

Mr. Freeman stated, "I am proud to report that we achieved improved results in fiscal year 2016, after managing through this second year of oversupplied market conditions. As anticipated, we ended the year with strong fourth quarter volumes, primarily driven by later timing of customer shipping orders in Brazil and Asia this year, and the positive change in leaf supply arrangements in our North America segment that we announced last year. We also achieved modest growth in overall volumes for the full fiscal year and improved our margins, and our selling, general, and administrative costs were lower. Our inventories continue to be well-managed, and uncommitted stocks have declined from last year's level, in line with our target. In addition, we returned more than $60 million in dividends to our shareholders during the fiscal year, closed the year with higher cash balances, which will support upcoming seasonal working capital requirements in fiscal year 2017, and preserved our solid financial position.

"As we move into the new fiscal year, global production estimates have continued to decline. Plantings have been reduced in some origins where farmers received lower green leaf prices this fiscal year, and El Nino weather patterns have negatively impacted some crops, particularly in Brazil. Consequently, and due to aggressive green leaf market pricing, our crop purchase levels and sales volumes, as well as third-party processing volumes from that origin, will be lower in fiscal year 2017. However, we expect that Brazilian crop levels and our volumes will recover next season.

"While we believe that total production levels have largely moved into balance with anticipated demand, imbalances in certain leaf quality styles or types remain, and our customers' inventory composition and durations may also impact their near-term demand requirements. We also believe that seasonality will continue to influence our quarterly results, with some carryover crop deliveries expected in the first fiscal quarter of 2017. Although it is still early in the season, we currently anticipate that customer-mandated shipment timing will continue to be weighted toward the second half of the year.

"Although oversupplied markets during the past two fiscal years have been less than optimal, I am pleased with our solid performance demonstrated throughout this period, particularly during fiscal year 2016. We remain excited about our prospects and look forward to continuing our leadership role in the industry, as we work for and with our customers to improve efficiencies in our markets and to provide a sustainable, compliant, and competitively priced product, allowing us to fulfill their needs and to continue to provide value to our shareholders."

FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY LEAF TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

OTHER REGIONS:

Operating income for the Other Regions segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, was $143.6 million, up 14% compared to $125.8 million in the previous fiscal year. Better margins, fewer inventory write-downs, and lower selling, general, and administrative expenses drove the earnings improvement. These positive factors outweighed lower margins in Europe and the currency translation effects of a stronger U.S. dollar which negatively impacted results from that region. Strong volumes in most regions were offset by declines in Africa on smaller crop sizes in some origins compared to the prior year. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the segment were down significantly for the fiscal year, largely on reductions in local currency-denominated expenses from devaluation of foreign currencies, mainly in South America and Africa, and lower incentive compensation costs. Revenues for the segment were down about 12% to $1.5 billion, driven mostly by lower average green leaf prices and the modestly reduced volumes.

Operating income for the Other Regions segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, increased by 56% to $55.9 million, compared with the same period last year. The improved results reflected higher total volumes as stronger fourth quarter shipments from later shipping patterns this year, mainly in Asia and South America, were partially offset by reduced volumes in Africa from smaller crops and earlier shipments as a result of processing efficiencies in Mozambique. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the segment were also down for the quarter, as lower benefit and incentive compensation accruals and lower foreign currency and exchange remeasurement losses were partly offset by unfavorable comparisons for value-added tax reserves and customer bad debt provisions. Revenues for the segment decreased by 6% to $529.8 million for the fourth fiscal quarter compared to the prior year, on higher volumes offset by lower green leaf prices.

NORTH AMERICA:

Operating income for the North America segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, of $31.1 million was flat compared with the previous year. Earnings improvements from sales volume increases, due in part to old crop sales in the first fiscal quarter, and the previously announced change in business with Philip Morris International, Inc. in the United States from a toll processing model to sales of processed tobacco, were offset by lower margins and lower earnings from Guatemala and Mexico. In addition, processing volumes declined significantly compared with the prior year as a result of that change in business, and a portion of crop volumes sold under this new arrangement will carry over as shipments in fiscal year 2017. Fiscal year 2016 revenues for the segment increased by 19% to $361.8 million compared to the prior fiscal year, on higher sales volumes at lower green leaf prices, a less favorable product mix, and lower processing revenues.

Segment operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, increased by $9.0 million to $18.2 million, compared with the same period last year. Those results were primarily driven by significantly higher sales volumes, due in large part to the change in business mentioned above, as tobaccos purchased under the arrangement began to ship during the quarter. Similarly, revenues for this segment for the fourth fiscal quarter increased by $81.2 million to $182.4 million, reflecting the higher volumes and a more favorable product mix. Selling, general, and administrative costs for this segment were relatively flat for both periods.

OTHER TOBACCO OPERATIONS:

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income increased by $1.0 million to $11.3 million compared with the same period last year. Earnings were up significantly for the dark tobacco operations on higher volumes, better margins, and lower selling, general, and administrative costs. That improvement was partly offset by lower results from the oriental joint venture as benefits from improved margins and lower overhead costs were outweighed by higher currency remeasurement losses and tax accruals. The special services group incurred losses for the year, mainly from startup and production testing costs for the new food ingredients business. Revenues for the segment were down by $7.4 million to $219.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2016, as the higher volumes for the dark tobacco operations were more than offset by reduced volumes at lower prices from the timing of shipments of oriental tobaccos into the United States compared to the previous year.

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2016, the segment's operating income improved by $1.4 million to $9.2 million, compared to the same period last year. Results for the dark tobacco operations improved for the quarter on a more favorable product mix from higher wrapper volumes and lower selling, general, and administrative costs. Segment results were negatively affected by later timing of oriental tobaccos shipped into the United States and the continuation of start-up costs in the special services group. Revenues for this segment in the fourth fiscal quarter decreased by $18.7 million to $91.8 million, compared with the same period last year, on lower total sales volumes for the dark tobacco operations as well as lower volumes and prices for oriental tobacco shipments into the United States.

OTHER ITEMS:

Cost of goods sold decreased by about 8% to $1.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to lower green leaf prices and the effects of local-currency devaluations on factory costs compared with the previous year. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, cost of goods sold increased by about 1%, to $663.0 million, on higher sales volumes at lower leaf prices. Selling, general, and administrative costs decreased by $23.5 million for the fiscal year and $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the respective prior year periods. The decline for the fiscal year was mainly driven by reductions in local currency-denominated expenses from devaluation of foreign currencies in South America and Africa, and lower incentive compensation costs, reduced in part by higher net currency and exchange losses in Asia as well as costs to settle challenges regarding property rights and valuation in South America. The decrease for the fourth fiscal quarter was mostly attributable to lower benefit and incentive compensation accruals and lower foreign currency and exchange remeasurement losses, offset in part by an unfavorable comparison for value-added tax reserves and customer bad debt provisions.

Interest expense of $15.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, declined by about 8% compared to the prior fiscal year. The reduction was mostly due to lower average short-term borrowings for seasonal working capital, offset in part by higher effective interest rates on long-term bank loans from fixed interest rate swaps entered on those loans in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016, interest expense increased slightly as a result of those higher effective long-term loan rates compared with the same period in the previous year. The consolidated effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, was approximately 32% compared to about 24% for the prior year comparable period. 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. In both years, the decrease from the 35% U.S. statutory rate was also influenced by lower net effective tax rates on income from certain foreign subsidiaries, as well as the effects of changes in local currency exchange rates on deferred income tax balances. The consolidated effective income tax rates were approximately 34% and 25% for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2015, rates were lower than the federal statutory rates due to the favorable impact of local currency devaluation on deferred income taxes in certain foreign operations, mainly in Brazil.

Results for the year ended March 31, 2016, included restructuring and impairment costs of $2.4 million ($0.06 per diluted share) and a gain of $3.4 million ($0.08 per diluted share) on remeasuring the Company's interest in a tobacco processing joint venture to fair value upon acquiring our partner's 50% ownership in the third fiscal quarter. Results for the year ended March 31, 2015, 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, restructuring costs of $4.9 million ($0.11 per diluted share), and a gain of $12.7 million ($0.29 per diluted share), from updated projections related to the favorable outcome in fiscal year 2014 of litigation in Brazil regarding previous years' excise tax credits. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2016, did not include any significant non-recurring items. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, results included the $12.7 million gain mentioned above, and restructuring costs of $0.4 million ($0.01 per diluted share).

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, including the impact of regulations on tobacco products; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in global supply and demand positions for tobacco products; 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 May 24, 2016, 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, 2016. A taped replay of the call will be available through June 6, 2016, by dialing (855) 859-2056. The confirmation number to access the replay is 8549813.

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, 2016, were $2.1 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its website at www.universalcorp.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2015.

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:

 

 

 

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SOURCE Universal Corporation