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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: December 3, 1998
(Date of earliest event reported)
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Virginia 1-652 54-0414210
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
1501 North Hamilton Street 23230
Richmond, Virginia (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(804) 359-9311
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Item 5. Other Events.
The press release issued by the Registrant on December 3, 1998 and
attached hereto as Exhibit 99 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
99 Press release issued by the Registrant on December 3,
1998.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: December 4, 1998 By: /s/ James M. White, III
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James M. White, III
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Document
99 Press release issued by the Registrant on December 3, 1998.
Exhibit 99
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NEWS
P.O. Box 25099 Phone: (804)359-9311
Richmond, VA 23260 Fax: (804)254-3584
Contact: Release:
KAREN M. L. WHELAN IMMEDIATELY
(804)359-9311
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES 7% DIVIDEND INCREASE
RICHMOND,VA DECEMBER 3, 1998/PRNEWSWIRE/----
The Board of Directors of Universal Corporation, at a meeting held
today, declared a regular quarterly dividend of thirty cents ($.30) per share on
the common shares of the Company, payable February 8, 1999, to common
shareholders of record at the close of business on January 11, 1999. This
represents an increase of over 7% or $.02 per share per quarter and indicates an
annualized rate of $1.20 per share.
Henry H. Harrell, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, noted, "By increasing the dividend, Universal's Board has once
again demonstrated its confidence in our business prospects. Earlier in the
year, the Board approved a share repurchase program, which is well under way
with about 75% of the announced program completed. We are proud of our record of
to delivering value to our shareholders." Universal has raised its common
dividend every year since 1971, a record of 28 consecutive increases.
Universal Corporation is a diversified company with operations in
tobacco, lumber, and agri-products. Its gross revenues for the fiscal year that
ended on June 30, 1998, were approximately $4.3 billion. For more information,
visit Universal's web site at www.universalcorp.com.
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