UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/
10-Q, 2000-05-09
FARM PRODUCT RAW MATERIALS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


[ x ]  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934

For the Period Ended March 31, 2000
                     --------------
                                       OR

[   ]  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period From_______________to_________________


                          Commission file number 1-652
                                                 -----

                              UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


          VIRGINIA                                      54-0414210
- -------------------------------          ---------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 incorporation or organization)


   1501 North Hamilton Street, Richmond, Virginia                 23230
- -----------------------------------------------------    -----------------------
         (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code - (804) 359-9311
                                                     ---------------

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  Registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                                             Yes     X     No
                                                ----------    ----------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of
Common Stock as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, No par value - 28,233,897 shares outstanding as of April 28, 2000

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Universal Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
<CAPTION>

                                                                    THREE MONTHS                      NINE MONTHS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,                           2000            1999            2000              1999
                                                           -------------------------------  --------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

<S>                                                            <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
Sales and other operating revenues                             $1,001,207      $1,222,814      $2,816,648        $3,399,818

Costs and expenses
    Cost of goods sold                                            840,881       1,080,062       2,378,215         2,951,950
    Selling, general and administrative expenses                   81,418          87,631         248,537           251,615
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Income                                                   78,908          55,121         189,896           196,253
    Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated
       affiliates                                                   2,186           5,239           8,108             7,021
    Interest expense                                               13,934          12,848          40,474            41,536
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes and other items                         67,160          47,512         157,530           161,738
    Income taxes                                                   24,178          15,962          56,711            58,226
    Minority interests                                              4,524           2,196           6,711             5,677
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------


Net Income                                                        $38,458         $29,354         $94,108           $97,835
============================================================================================================================

Earnings per common share                                           $1.29           $0.88           $3.06             $2.90
============================================================================================================================

Diluted earnings per share                                          $1.29           $0.88           $3.06             $2.90
============================================================================================================================

Cash dividends declared                                             $0.31           $0.30           $0.92             $0.88
============================================================================================================================


Retained earnings - Beginning of period                                                        $  510,123         $ 508,137
Net income                                                                                         94,108            97,835
Cash dividends declared                                                                           (27,515)          (29,299)
Purchase of common stock                                                                          (68,176)          (65,187)
                                                                                            --------------------------------

Retained earnings - End of period                                                                $508,540          $511,486
============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>
                                                             2
<TABLE>
Universal Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of dollars)

<CAPTION>

                                                                                    March 31,                   June 30,
                                                                                      2000                        1999
ASSETS
<S>                                                                               <C>                         <C>
Current
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $   75,440                  $    92,784
    Accounts receivable                                                              314,818                      326,055
   Advances to suppliers                                                              80,736                       72,455
    Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates                                   17,306                       17,707
    Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
        Tobacco                                                                      488,610                      419,256
        Lumber and building products                                                  79,634                       85,458
        Agri-products                                                                 81,609                       74,114
        Other                                                                         19,193                       33,218
    Prepaid income taxes                                                              14,605                       20,993
    Deferred income taxes                                                              7,242                        6,952
    Other current assets                                                              16,616                       21,333
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
        Total current assets                                                       1,195,809                    1,170,325

Property, plant and equipment - at cost
    Land                                                                              29,448                       29,743
    Buildings                                                                        237,578                      237,054
    Machinery and equipment                                                          517,377                      491,201
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     784,403                      757,998
        Less accumulated depreciation                                                430,092                      409,678
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     354,311                      348,320
Other assets
    Goodwill                                                                         114,708                      117,871
    Other intangibles                                                                 19,243                       20,950
    Investments in unconsolidated affiliates                                          82,733                       95,491
    Other noncurrent assets                                                           77,751                       70,166
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     294,435                      304,478
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                $  1,844,555                $   1,823,123
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



<PAGE>
                                                             3
<TABLE>
Universal Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of dollars)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  March 31,                    June 30,
                                                                                    2000                         1999

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                                                              <C>                         <C>
Current
    Notes payable and overdrafts                                                 $   419,537                 $    497,399
    Accounts payable                                                                 237,445                      235,310
    Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates                                      11,245                       14,186
    Customer advances and deposits                                                    98,983                       82,432
    Accrued compensation                                                              16,523                       24,291
    Income taxes payable                                                              33,890                       15,836
    Current portion of long-term obligations                                         128,812                       29,046
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
        Total current liabilities                                                    946,435                      898,500

Long-term obligations                                                                224,319                      221,545

Postretirement benefits other than pensions                                           41,711                       42,981

Other long-term liabilities                                                           50,159                       45,474

Deferred income taxes                                                                 25,517                       39,198

Minority interests                                                                    39,970                       36,389

Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 5,000,000
     shares none issued or outstanding
  Common stock, no par value, authorized 100,000,000
     shares, issued and outstanding 28,649,847 shares
     (32,090,550 at June 30, 1999)                                                    68,794                       75,758
   Retained earnings                                                                 508,540                      510,123
   Accumulated other comprehensive income                                            (60,890)                     (46,845)
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
         Total shareholders' equity                                                  516,444                      539,036

                                                                         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                $  1,844,555                $   1,823,123
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>
                                                         4
<TABLE>
Universal Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999
(In thousands of dollars)
<CAPTION>

                                                                               March 31,                 March 31,
                                                                                 2000                      1999
<S>                                                                           <C>                       <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                                                 $   94,108                $   97,835
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities                                        12,400                    33,800
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                   (30,852)                   95,596
                                                                     ----------------------------------------------
     Net cash provided by operating activities                                    75,656                   227,231

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                    (39,500)                  (52,400)
    Proceeds from sale of equity investment                                       27,000                         -
                                                                     ----------------------------------------------
      Net cash used in investing activities
                                                                                 (12,500)                  (52,400)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Repayment of short-term debt, net                                            (78,000)                  (45,300)
    Repayment of long-term debt                                                  (20,000)                  (23,000)
    Issuance of long-term debt                                                   120,000
    Purchases of common stock                                                    (75,000)                  (67,600)
    Dividends paid                                                               (27,500)                  (29,300)
                                                                     ----------------------------------------------
      Net cash used in financing activities                                      (80,500)                 (165,200)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                             (17,344)                    9,631
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                    92,784                    79,835
                                                                     ----------------------------------------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                    $   75,440                $   89,466
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>
                                       5

Universal Corporation and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2000


All figures contained herein are unaudited.

1). Universal Corporation,  with its subsidiaries (the "Company"),  has seasonal
operations  in  tobacco,   lumber  and  building  products,  and  agri-products.
Therefore,  the results of operations  for the periods ended March 31, 2000, are
not  necessarily  indicative  of results to be expected for the year ending June
30, 2000. All adjustments  necessary to state fairly the results for such 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's
presentation.

2). Contingent  liabilities:  At March 31, 2000, total exposure under guarantees
issued for banking  facilities of  unconsolidated  affiliates  and suppliers was
approximately $55 million. Other contingent liabilities  approximate $43 million
and relate  principally  to performance  bonds,  Common Market  guarantees.  The
Company's  Brazilian  subsidiaries  have been notified by the tax authorities of
proposed  adjustments to the income tax returns filed in prior years.  The total
proposed adjustments, including penalties and interest, approximate $25 million.
The Company believes the Brazilian tax returns filed were in compliance with the
applicable tax code. The numerous  proposed  adjustments  vary in complexity and
amount. While it is not feasible to predict the precise amount or timing of each
proposed adjustment, the Company believes that the ultimate disposition will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's  consolidated financial position
or results of operations. The Company has operations located in Zimbabwe and the
performance  of these  operations can  materially  affect the company's  tobacco
earnings.   Zimbabwe  is  currently   experiencing   significant  civil  unrest.
Deliveries  of tobacco to the Zimbabwe  auction  market have been delayed due to
continued  disruptions  in  the  farming  communities,  fuel  shortages,  and an
exceptionally  high  official  exchange  rate for the  country's  currency.  The
company continues to believe that the flue-cured crop, which is estimated at 220
million  kilograms,  will be delivered to the market over time,  but  currently,
management cannot predict the outcome of the political situation,  and therefore
is unable to forecast its impact on the company.  However,  management  believes
that  from a  long-term  point  of  view,  if  production  of  tobacco  were  to
permanently  decline in Zimbabwe,  it would be replaced by  production  in other
countries.  The company has operations in the major tobacco producing countries.
Thus, management believes that it is reasonable to expect any negative impact on
operations from reduced production in Zimbabwe to be short-lived.



<PAGE>
                                       6

3). The  following  table sets forth the  computation  of earnings per share and
diluted earnings per share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Three Months                            Nine Months
Periods ended March 31,                               2000                1999                 2000              1999
                                                 --------------      --------------       --------------    ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>                <C>
Net income (in thousands of dollars)                   $38,458             $29,354              $94,108            $97,835

Denominator for earnings per share:
         Weighted average shares                    29,748,157          33,193,954           30,751,659         33,722,844

Effect of dilutive securities:
          Employee stock options                         1,252              12,244                7,478             49,203
                                                 --------------      --------------       --------------    ---------------
Denominator for diluted earnings per share          29,749,409          33,206,198           30,759,137         33,772,047

Earnings per share                                       $1.29                $.88                $3.06              $2.90
                                                 ==============      ==============       ==============    ===============

Diluted earnings per share                               $1.29                $.88                $3.06              $2.90
                                                 ==============      ==============       ==============    ===============

On  December 2, 1999,  the Company  announced  that the Board of  Directors  had
increased the  authorization  to repurchase  the company's  common stock to $300
million in aggregate.  As of April 29, 2000,  over 7.3 million  shares have been
purchased at a total price of approximately  $196 million,  leaving 28.2 million
common shares outstanding.

4). Comprehensive Income:
<CAPTION>
                                                            Three Months                        Nine Months
Periods ended March 31,                             2000                  1999            2000               1999
                                               --------------         -------------    -----------       ------------
(in thousands of dollars)

Net income                                           $38,458               $29,354        $94,108           $ 97,835

Foreign currency translation adjustment              (10,207)               (3,604)       (14,045)             6,055
                                               --------------         -------------    -----------       ------------

Comprehensive income                                 $28,251               $25,750        $80,063           $103,890
                                               ==============         =============    ===========       ============


5) Segments are based on product categories.  The Company evaluates  performance
based  on  segment   operating   income  and  equity  in  pretax   earnings   of
unconsolidated affiliates.
<CAPTION>

                                                    Three Months                       Nine Months
Period ended March 31,                           2000          1999                 2000          1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales and other operating revenues

Tobacco                                      $   728,976   $   973,775          $ 2,006,674   $ 2,604,525
Lumber/building products                         164,458       131,481              445,281       409,508
Agri-products                                    107,773       117,558              364,693       385,785
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                        $ 1,001,207   $ 1,222,814          $ 2,816,648   $ 3,399,818
==========================================================================================================

<PAGE>

                                       7
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three Months                       Nine Months
Period ended March 31,                             2000          1999                 2000          1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating income by segment

Tobacco                                         $ 77,084      $ 55,860            $ 181,039     $ 182,691
Lumber/building products                           5,380         4,556               19,694        17,843
Agri-products                                      2,640         3,669               10,754        13,620
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                             85,104        64,085              211,487       214,154

Corporate expenses                                 4,010         3,725               13,483        10,880
Interest expense                                  13,934        12,848               40,474        41,536
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and
other items                                     $ 67,160     $  47,512            $ 157,530     $ 161,738
==========================================================================================================
</TABLE>


6). Short- and Long-Term-Debt: Effective December 16, 1999, the Company replaced
its $300 million  revolving  credit  facility  with a new $270 million  facility
issued in tranches of $180  million and $90 million.  In  addition,  uncommitted
lines of credit  available  to the Company in the United  States were reduced by
$170 million in December  1999  primarily  because one major bank exited the bid
line segment of the credit  markets.  In a public offering on February 16, 2000,
Universal  issued $120 million of 8.5% Notes due 2003. The proceeds of the issue
were used to reduce  short-term bank debt and commercial paper. Upon issuance of
the Notes,  the Company  entered into  interest  rate swaps in which it receives
fixed rate  interest  and pays a floating  rate  based on LIBOR.  The  effective
interest  rate at March 31, 2000 was 7.67%.  The notional  amount,  maturity and
payment dates of the interest rate swaps match those of the Notes.  At March 31,
2000, the fair market value of the swaps was immaterial.  The differential to be
paid or received  as  interest  rates  change is accrued  and  recognized  as an
adjustment  to  interest  expense.  It is not  expected  that  the  adoption  of
Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments  and Hedging  Activities"  will materially  affect the  consolidated
financial position or results of operations.



<PAGE>
                                       8


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Financial Condition
- -------------------

         Working  capital at March 31, 2000,  was $249 million  compared to $272
million  at  June  30,  1999.  The  seasonal  nature  of the  Company's  tobacco
operations  affects  the  comparison  of  the  components  of  working  capital.
Universal's current assets and liabilities usually reflect seasonal increases in
March;  current assets increased $25 million and current  liabilities  increased
$48 million,  respectively.  The majority of the  increases  occurred in tobacco
inventories,  customer  deposits  and current  portion of  long-term  debt.  The
Company's 9 1/4% medium term notes,  with a principal  balance of $100  million,
will  mature  in  February  of 2001  and thus  were  reclassified  as a  current
liability  in  the  quarter.  The  increase  in  tobacco  inventories  primarily
represents  higher  inventory levels in the United States since domestic tobacco
inventory  levels are  normally  at their  lowest  point at June 30. The Company
generally  does not  purchase  tobacco on a  speculative  basis.  Its  estimated
uncommitted  inventories of flue-cured and burley tobaccos as of March 31, 2000,
remained  below 20,000  metric  tons;  management  does not consider  that level
excessive.  Advances to farmers  for  agricultural  materials,  such as seed and
fertilizer,  were higher at the end of March  compared  to June as advances  are
made for the upcoming year's crops in Brazil and Latin America.

         Generally,  the Company's tobacco  operations  conduct business in U.S.
dollars, thereby limiting foreign exchange risk to local production and overhead
costs,  which represent the smallest portion of its cost of sales. The Company's
agri-product  and lumber  operations  enter into foreign  exchange  contracts to
hedge firm  purchase  and sales  commitments  for terms of less than six months.
Contracts used to manage foreign currency risks are not material.  Interest rate
risk is limited because  customers in the tobacco business  usually  pre-finance
purchases  or pay market  rates of interest for  inventory  purchased  for their
accounts.

         Effective  December  16,  1999,  the Company  replaced its $300 million
revolving credit facility with a new $270 million facility issued in tranches of
$180 million and $90 million. In addition, uncommitted lines of credit available
to the  Company in the United  States were  reduced by $170  million in December
1999 primarily  because one major bank exited the bid line segment of the credit
markets.  In a public  offering  on February  16,  2000,  Universal  issued $120
million of 8.5% Notes due 2003.  The  proceeds  of the issue were used to reduce
short-term bank debt and commercial  paper.  Through April 28, 2000, the Company
had  purchased  approximately  7.3 million  shares of its common  stock for $196
million.  A total of $300  million has been  authorized  for the share  purchase
program.   Management  believes  that  the  Universal's  liquidity  and  capital
resources at March 31, 2000, remain adequate to support its businesses.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

         'Sales and Other  Operating  Revenues'  for the third  quarter  and the
nine- month period of fiscal year 2000  decreased $222 million and $583 million,
respectively,  compared to the same  periods  last year  primarily  due to lower
domestic  tobacco sales in both periods  because of the smaller U.S.  flue-cured
and burley crops.  Revenues from lumber  operations  were higher for the quarter
and nine-month period in the current year due to a

<PAGE>
                                       9

strong  recovery of the building  sector in Holland.  Conversely,  agri-products
sales were lower  compared to the  corresponding  periods last year for the nine
months and quarter due to difficult markets in tea, natural rubber and sunflower
seeds.

         "Operating  income"  increased  $24 million or 43% in the third quarter
due to improved margins and timing of shipments. Tobacco earnings in the quarter
were up  primarily  due to timing of  shipments to  customers,  especially  from
Africa. Increased volumes shipped from Brazil's larger crop, improved operations
in  Argentina  and Mexico,  and a better  product mix in the United  States also
contributed to the positive result for the quarter. During the nine months ended
March 31, 2000,  operating  income  declined by $6 million or 3% compared to the
same period last year.  For the nine months,  tobacco  operating  earnings  were
comparable  to  the  levels  of  a  year  ago  as  the  strong   performance  of
international  operations  were  offset by lower  volumes  in the U.S.  and dark
tobacco  group.  U.S.  volumes  handled  were  significantly  lower  as both the
flue-cured  and burley crops were  reduced in response to decreased  demand from
both domestic and foreign  cigarette  manufacturers.  Domestic leaf use was down
reflecting a drop in U.S.  cigarette  sales in the  aftermath of the  settlement
between U.S.  cigarette  manufacturers  and the states,  and foreign  demand was
lower due to ongoing customer concerns about the price and quality of U.S. leaf.
Dark  tobacco  volumes  were  down due  primarily  to  lower  export  demand  by
manufacturers  and lower  yields on certain  tobacco  types  from the  Company's
Indonesian operations.  In addition,  both the quarter and nine-month operations
reflect the absence of earnings  from a joint venture that was sold in the first
quarter of this fiscal year.  Non-tobacco operating earnings were slightly below
last year's levels for both the three-month and nine-month  periods.  Lumber and
building  products  operations  performed  well  in  both  periods  despite  the
continuing  strength of the U. S.  dollar.  The  building  sector in Holland has
recovered  strongly  from last year's slow  market when record  rainfall  caused
serious delays in construction activity.  Agri-products results continued to lag
last year's  excellent  levels due to difficult  markets for tea, natural rubber
and sunflower seeds.  Operating  earnings for the quarter and nine-month periods
also benefited from reduced sales expenses in fiscal year 2000.

         The  Company's  earnings  for the quarter  were  adversely  impacted by
higher average  borrowing costs,  which were offset for the nine-month period by
the impact of lower  average  borrowing  levels in the first three months of the
current year.

         Market  uncertainty  and  shipment  timing  issues have made  quarterly
earnings  comparisons   extremely  difficult  this  year.   Notwithstanding  the
volatility of quarterly  earnings in the second and third quarters,  results are
expected to be good for fiscal year 2000, in spite of lingering world oversupply
of leaf  tobacco  and the  well-publicized  problems in the United  States.  The
exceptional  strength  of the  third  quarter  was due in part to  shipments  to
customers,  which last year occurred in the fourth quarter.  While this suggests
that the final  quarter of the fiscal  year  could be below last  year's  fourth
quarter,  earnings  are on track to be in the  range of $3.45 to $3.65 per share
for the fiscal year  ending  June 30,  2000,  after an  estimated  $7 million in
pre-tax  severance  costs which will be recorded  in the fourth  quarter.  These
costs  are  primarily  related  to  U.S.  plant  closures  and  voluntary  early
retirements.

Factors that May Affect Future Results
- --------------------------------------

         Some  U.S.  cigarette  manufacturers  have  initiated  programs  to buy
tobacco directly from farmers in the United States under  contracts.  Management
believes  that  implementation  of these  programs  could  reduce the  company's
revenues, but that it would not have a material adverse effect on the results of
operations.  The Company has operations  located in Zimbabwe and the performance

<PAGE>
                                       10

of these  operations  can  materially  affect the  Company's  tobacco  earnings.
Zimbabwe is currently  experiencing  significant  civil  unrest.  Deliveries  of
tobacco to the  Zimbabwe  auction  market  have been  delayed  due to  continued
disruptions in the farming  communities,  fuel shortages,  and an  exceptionally
high official exchange rate for the country's currency. The Company continues to
believe that the flue-cured crop,  which is estimated at 220 million  kilograms,
will be  delivered to the market over time,  but  currently,  management  cannot
predict the  outcome of the  political  situation,  and  therefore  is unable to
forecast its impact on the Company.  However,  management  believes  that from a
long-term point of view, if production of tobacco were to permanently decline in
Zimbabwe, it would be replaced by production in other countries. The Company has
operations in the major tobacco producing countries.  Thus,  management believes
that it is reasonable to expect any negative  impact on operations  from reduced
production in Zimbabwe to be short-lived.

         The  Company  cautions  readers  that  any  forward-looking  statements
contained herein are based upon  management's  current knowledge and assumptions
about future events,  including  anticipated  levels of demand for and supply of
the Company's products and services,  costs incurred in providing these products
and services, timing of shipments to customers, and general economic, political,
market, and weather  conditions.  Lumber and building products earnings are also
affected by changes in  exchange  rates  between  the U.S.  dollar and the Euro.
Actual results,  therefore,  could vary from those expected. For more details on
factors that could affect  expectations,  see the  Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis  section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>
                                       11


PART II.          OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a.            Exhibits
           12 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
           27 Financial Data Schedule*

b.            Reports on Form 8-K.
              (I).  Form 8-K filed on February  4, 2000,  filing  press  release
              announcing  quarterly  dividend and the press  release  announcing
              second quarter earnings.

              (II).  Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2000,  filing press  release
              announcing two new directors.

              (III).  Form 8-K filed on February 28, 2000,  filing press release
              announcing one new director.

              (IV).  Form 8-K  filed on March 20,  2000,  filing  press  release
              announcing right sizing of U. S. operations.

              (V).  Form 8-K  filed on March  29,  2000,  filing  press  release
              announcing earnings projections.





* Filed herewith


<PAGE>
                                       12



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





Date: May 9, 2000                            UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
      -----------              -------------------------------------------------
                                                 (Registrant)



                                            /s/ Hartwell H. Roper
                               -------------------------------------------------
                                    Hartwell H. Roper, Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer



                                           /s/ William J. Coronado
                               -------------------------------------------------
                                   William J. Coronado, Vice President and
                                                  Controller
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)



<TABLE>
                                       EXHIBIT 12. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(in thousands of dollars)
<CAPTION>
                                           For the Nine
                                           Months ended                      For the years ended June 30,
                                           March, 31 2000       1999         1998         1997         1996         1995

<S>                                              <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Pretax income from continuing operations         $149,422    $ 197,719    $ 231,138    $ 171,941    $ 123,721     $ 55,768

Distribution of earnings from
unconsolidated affiliates                               -          840          602        1,509          690          738

Fixed charges                                      41,152       57,744       64,881       65,827       69,543       69,819
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings                                         $190,574    $ 256,303    $ 296,621    $ 239,277    $ 193,954    $ 126,325
                                          =================================================================================


Interest                                          $40,474     $ 56,837     $ 63,974     $ 64,886     $ 68,754     $ 69,585


Amortization of premiums and other                    678          907          907          941          789          234
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fixed Charges                                 $    41,152     $ 57,744     $ 64,881     $ 65,827     $ 69,543     $ 69,819
                                          =================================================================================

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                   4.63         4.44         4.57         3.63         2.79         1.81

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000102037
<NAME> UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          75,440
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  314,818
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    669,046
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,195,809
<PP&E>                                         784,403
<DEPRECIATION>                                 430,092
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,844,555
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          946,435
<BONDS>                                        224,319
<COMMON>                                        68,794
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     447,650
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,844,555
<SALES>                                      2,816,648
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,816,648
<CGS>                                        2,378,215
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,378,215
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,474
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                157,530
<INCOME-TAX>                                    56,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             94,108
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    94,108
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.06


</TABLE>


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