RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Allen B. King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation , announced that income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, which ended on June 30, 2007, was $18.2 million, or $0.52 per diluted share. That performance represented a significant improvement over last year's results, which reflected a loss of $13.7 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, from continuing operations. First quarter earnings in fiscal year 2008 included about $3.3 million in restructuring costs ($0.08 per diluted share) related to the cost of reducing staff in the Company's Canadian operations and in its flue-cured growing projects in Africa. Last year's first quarter included impairment charges of $12.3 million ($0.48 per diluted share) on long-lived assets used in tobacco growing projects in Zambia. Last year, management also determined that it was not likely to realize tax benefits associated with prior year losses in Zambia, and accordingly, recorded a $4.9 million valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The total effect of these issues related to Zambia was a reduction of net income of $17.2 million, or $0.67 per diluted share in fiscal year 2007. Results for the first quarter were significantly improved over those of last year due to the net change in restructuring and impairment charges, timing differences related to both currency effects and shipments, operational improvements, net interest expense savings, and a lower effective income tax rate. These gains were offset in part by lower carryover sales and the absence of last year's one-time sales by the North America segment, as well as additional provisions related to flue- cured growing projects in Africa. Revenues for the quarter were about $450 million, which represented a slight increase over last year. Net income for the quarter, including results from discontinued operations, was $18.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $2.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share last year.

Mr. King noted, "We are continuing to work on our operations amid new challenges. This year we are facing very tight supply of burley tobacco, which has been exacerbated by short crops in Africa, as well as the challenges of controlling costs in the face of the weakening U.S. dollar. Our improvements in the first quarter reflect our efforts to address those issues. As we said in June, we have reduced our Brazilian flue-cured production and the quality of the crop is better, but the smaller burley crops in Africa along with higher costs in most of the major producing areas of the world are presenting challenges. The U.S. dollar continues to be weak against many currencies and, although we work with our customers to mitigate the effect of that where we can, it remains a source of higher costs in many areas. We recognized benefits this quarter of forward currency exchange contracts that we entered in coordination with certain customer sales contracts. Upon later sale of the tobacco, the higher cost caused by the weak U.S. dollar will be apparent. African operations are experiencing margin difficulties on current crop production as unit costs have risen primarily due to smaller crops coupled with much higher prices to farmers, especially in Malawi and Mozambique. Most of this tobacco will be shipped later in the year. In addition, as we noted last year, our North American operations benefited from the higher sales volume associated with the sale of old-crop burley tobacco, and those volumes will not recur this year. Tobacco production in Canada has fallen severely over the last few years and is forecast to decline by about one third for fiscal year 2008. We recognized some restructuring costs related to that operation and our flue-cured growing operations in Africa this quarter. However, impairment and restructuring costs in fiscal year 2008 should be significantly below the levels seen over the last two years. We believe that we have been taking the necessary actions to improve our performance for the long term."

The North America segment of the flue-cured and burley operations reported a $5.2 million loss for the quarter, which is a seasonally low operating period. As expected, the results were lower than last year primarily because of several one-time sales in the first quarter last year, as well as lower carry-over sales this year and lower sales of Canadian tobacco because of the significant reduction of the Canadian crop. Those factors also caused revenues for this segment to fall by more than half to $34.8 million from $81.4 million last year.

The Other Regions segment of the flue-cured and burley operations earned $32.3 million, more than double the results of the same quarter in fiscal year 2007. The operations generally experienced higher unit costs due to smaller crop sizes and the weakness of the U.S. dollar. In South America, results benefited from lower provisions against farmer receivables and currency remeasurement gains on receivables for both farmer funding and local value- added tax. Margins there declined primarily due to product mix during the quarter, but the Company was able to offset some of the effect of the weakness of the U.S. dollar through forward currency exchange contracts related to certain customer sales contracts. The forward contracts were not accounted for as hedges, and mark-to-market gains were included in income as they occurred. In Africa, results improved primarily due to higher volumes of old crop tobacco shipped. Those improvements were partially offset by additional write-offs of approximately $5 million related to flue-cured growing projects there. Results of European operations improved on higher volumes in several areas, primarily due to changes in shipment timing. Despite currency remeasurement gains this year, results for Asia declined due to delays in customer shipments until later in fiscal year 2008. Revenues for the Other Regions segment increased by about 10% to $340 million due to higher volumes in South America and Europe and higher prices in South America, mostly due to the weak U.S. dollar.

Universal's Other Tobacco Operations segment also saw significant improvement this quarter, reporting segment operating earnings of $7.1 million compared to $2.0 million last year. Results for dark air-cured operations declined primarily due to timing differences as last year's results for that group included benefits from carryover sales and some shipments in the current year have been delayed. In addition, the effects of last year's flooding in the Philippines were reflected in the current year sales, but were offset in part by exchange gains there. Earnings of the oriental business benefited from shipment timing, remeasurement gains on farmer advances, and a one-time gain on the sale of investment securities.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are included in segment operating results, fell by $14.2 million. In fiscal year 2008, these expenses were net of $4.8 million in currency remeasurement benefits from several origins as well as transaction gains of approximately $7.5 million, which included approximately $6 million from forward currency exchange contracts related to customer sales contracts. Last year, currency exchange items totaled a loss of $1.7 million. In addition, provisions against farmer advances are recorded under this caption, and those provisions were about $2 million lower than last year.

The Company recorded higher interest income and lower interest expense as a result of funds provided by tobacco operations, the sale of its non-tobacco businesses, and stock option exercises, all since June 30, 2006. Net interest savings during the quarter were $5.4 million before taxes. The effective income tax rate, at 38.5%, is higher than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate primarily because of excess foreign taxes recorded in countries where the tax rates exceed U.S. rates. In addition, the restructuring charges provided tax benefits at a rate that was lower than the statutory rate, which increased the effective tax rate for the quarter. For the full fiscal year, the rate is expected to be 37.5%. The effective tax rate last year was 160%. The Company did not record any tax benefit on its $12.3 million asset impairment charge in last year's quarter since management believed that it would be unable to utilize the net operating loss carry forward generated by the charge. The $4.9 million valuation allowance on deferred tax assets associated with Zambia also increased last year's effective tax rate.

Additional information

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; 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, 2007 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 year ended March 31, 2007.

At 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) today, the Company will host a conference call to discuss these results. Those wishing to listen to the call may do so by visiting http://www.universalcorp.com/ at that time. A replay of the webcast will be available at that site for three months. A taped replay of the call will also be available for one week by dialing (888) 203-1112. The confirmation number to access the replay is 140219.

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is one of the world's leading tobacco merchants and processors and conducts business in more than 35 countries. Its revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, were $2.0 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at http://www.universalcorp.com/.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands of dollars, except per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 2006 (Unaudited) Sales and other operating revenues $450,217 $446,917 Costs and expenses Cost of goods sold 366,049 362,642 Selling, general and administrative expenses 51,107 65,300 Restructuring and impairment costs 3,304 12,289 Operating income 29,757 6,686 Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 1,143 (3,540) Interest income 4,288 667 Interest expense 11,391 13,172 Income (loss) before income taxes and other items 23,797 (9,359) Income taxes 9,156 5,616 Minority interests, net of income taxes (3,537) (1,248) Income (loss) from continuing operations 18,178 (13,727) Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 530 11,379 Net income (loss) 18,708 (2,348) Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,713) (3,547) Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders $14,995 $(5,895) Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations $0.53 $(0.67) From discontinued operations 0.02 0.44 Net income (loss) $0.55 $(0.23) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations $0.52 $(0.67) From discontinued operations 0.02 0.44 Net income (loss) $0.54 $(0.23) See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars) June 30, June 30, March 31, 2007 2006 2007 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Cash and cash equivalents $320,764 $85,495 $358,236 Accounts receivable, net 213,100 189,148 261,106 Advances to suppliers, net 66,717 141,325 113,396 Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates 47,343 25,051 37,290 Inventories - at lower of cost or market: Tobacco 814,564 812,489 595,901 Other 45,713 55,801 40,577 Prepaid income taxes 9,036 4,190 8,760 Deferred income taxes 22,824 22,264 25,182 Other current assets 54,099 67,857 62,480 Current assets of discontinued operations 8,295 638,243 42,437 Total current assets 1,602,455 2,041,863 1,545,365 Property, plant and equipment Land 16,795 17,404 16,640 Buildings 242,966 256,138 241,410 Machinery and equipment 519,097 525,104 512,586 778,858 798,646 770,636 Less accumulated depreciation (422,401) (401,324) (410,478) 356,457 397,322 360,158 Other assets Goodwill and other intangibles 104,371 105,797 104,284 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 105,931 94,766 104,316 Deferred income taxes 78,285 92,457 81,003 Other noncurrent assets 130,343 142,125 133,696 Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations - 231,628 - 418,930 666,773 423,299 Total assets $2,377,842 $3,105,958 $2,328,822 See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars) June 30, June 30, March 31, 2007 2006 2007 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Notes payable and overdrafts $124,221 $351,574 $131,159 Accounts payable 259,117 226,742 220,181 Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates 27 2,640 644 Customer advances and deposits 132,434 187,064 133,608 Accrued compensation 15,874 16,981 18,519 Income taxes payable 12,863 11,646 11,549 Current portion of long-term obligations 164,000 8,534 164,000 Current liabilities of discontinued operations 2,757 308,723 13,314 Total current liabilities 711,293 1,113,904 692,974 Long-term obligations 398,122 761,520 398,952 Pensions and other postretirement benefits 103,218 94,375 100,004 Other long-term liabilities 86,728 78,229 70,528 Deferred income taxes 30,663 29,364 29,809 Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations - 31,231 - Total liabilities 1,330,024 2,108,623 1,292,267 Minority interests 2,286 17,374 5,822 Shareholders' equity Preferred stock: Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding - - - Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 219,999 shares issued and outstanding (220,000 at June 30, 2006, and March 31, 2007) 213,023 213,024 213,024 Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 27,356,307 shares issued and outstanding (25,748,306 at June 30, 2006, and 26,948,599 at March 31, 2007) 196,809 124,032 176,453 Retained earnings 674,303 681,020 682,232 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (38,603) (38,115) (40,976) Total shareholders' equity 1,045,532 979,961 1,030,733 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,377,842 $3,105,958 $2,328,822 See accompanying notes. UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands of dollars) Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 2006 (Unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Net income (loss) $18,708 $(2,348) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations: Net income from discontinued operations (530) (11,379) Depreciation 10,813 12,797 Amortization 393 698 Provisions for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers 780 2,650 Restructuring and impairment costs 3,304 12,289 Other, net (2,469) 5,620 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net (73,597) (31,805) Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations (42,598) (11,478) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (6,851) (7,140) Proceeds from sale of business, less cash of business sold 25,156 - Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment and other 110 294 Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations 18,415 (6,846) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Issuance (repayment) of short- term debt, net (13,761) 36,383 Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock, net of issuance costs - 19,478 Issuance of common stock 15,773 - Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,713) (3,547) Dividends paid on common stock (12,054) (11,072) Other (1) - Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of continuing operations (13,756) 41,242 Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations (37,939) 22,918 CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 3,149 21,359 Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations (5) (6,001) Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operations (2,443) (11,482) Net cash provided by discontinued operations 701 3,876 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 65 92 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (37,173) 26,886 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of year 358,236 62,486 Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of year 239 4,146 Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of period 538 8,023 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $320,764 $85,495 See accompanying notes. NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, with its subsidiaries ("Universal" or the "Company"), is one of the world's leading leaf tobacco merchants and processors. The Company previously had operations in lumber and building products and in agri-products. The lumber and building products businesses, along with a portion of the agri-products operations, were sold on September 1, 2006. In December 2006, the Company adopted a plan to sell the remaining agri-products operations. One of those agri-products businesses was sold in January 2007, another was sold in May 2007, and an agreement has been entered to sell the assets of the remaining business with completion of the sale expected during fiscal year 2008. The lumber and building products operations and the agri-products operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods in the accompanying financial statements.

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. Certain amounts in prior year statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. This Form 10-Q 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, 2007.

NOTE 2. GUARANTEES AND OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Guarantees of bank loans to growers for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing assets are industry practice in Brazil and support the farmers' production of tobacco there. At June 30, 2007, total exposure under subsidiaries' guarantees issued for banking facilities of Brazilian farmers was approximately $170 million. About 56% of these guarantees expire within one year, and nearly all of the remainder expire within five years. The Company withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forwards those payments to the third-party bank. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the Company to cover their obligations to third-party banks could result in a liability for the Company under the related guarantee; however, in that case, the Company would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company's subsidiary could be required to make is the face amount, $170 million, and any unpaid accrued interest. The accrual recorded for the value of the guarantees was approximately $9 million and $8 million at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and approximately $10 million at March 31, 2007.

Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in litigation incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the claims and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management's current expectation, the effect on the Company's results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.

NOTE 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 2006 (In thousands, except per share data) Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share From continuing operations: Income (loss) from continuing operations $18,178 $(13,727) Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (3,713) (3,547) Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations 14,465 (17,274) From discontinued operations: Earnings available to common shareholders from discontinued operations 530 11,379 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $14,995 $(5,895) Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share Weighted average shares outstanding 27,126 25,748 Basic earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations $0.53 $(0.67) From discontinued operations 0.02 0.44 Net income (loss) per share $0.55 $(0.23) Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share From continuing operations: Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations $14,465 $(17,274) Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed) - - Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations for calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share 14,465 (17,274) From discontinued operations: Earnings available to common shareholders from discontinued operations 530 11,379 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $14,995 $(5,895) Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: Weighted average shares outstanding 27,126 25,748 Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Convertible perpetual preferred stock - - Employee share-based awards 433 - Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share 27,559 25,748 Diluted earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations $0.52 $(0.67) From discontinued operations 0.02 0.44 Net income (loss) per share $0.54 $(0.23) NOTE 4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The principal approach used by management to evaluate the Company's performance is by geographic region, although some components of the business are evaluated on the basis of their worldwide operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses (excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits), plus equity in 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:

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 2006 (in thousands of dollars) SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations: North America $ 34,764 $ 81,365 Other regions (1) 340,410 309,943 Subtotal 375,174 391,308 Other tobacco operations (2) 75,043 55,609 Consolidated sales and other operating revenues $450,217 446,917 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations: North America $(5,185) $241 Other regions (1) 32,258 13,169 Subtotal 27,073 13,410 Other tobacco operations (2) 7,131 2,025 Segment operating income 34,204 15,435 Less: Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (3) 1,143 (3,540) Restructuring and impairment costs (4) 3,304 12,289 Consolidated operating income $ 29,757 $ 6,686 (1) Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations. (2) Includes Dark Air-Cured, Special Services and Oriental, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues for this reportable segment include limited amounts for Oriental because its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of an unconsolidated affiliate. (3) Item is included in segment operating income, but not included in consolidated operating income. (4) Item is not included in segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income.