UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



☑	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED	~~SEPTEMBER 30,~~DECEMBER 31, 2019
		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: 001-00652

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



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

9201 Forest Hill Avenue,	Richmond,	Virginia	23235
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)

804-359-9311

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:



Title of each class	Trading Symbols	Name of Exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value	UVV	New York Stock Exchange

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. Yesþ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large Accelerated Filer	þ	Accelerated filer	☐	Non-accelerated filer	☐
Smaller reporting company	☐	Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of ~~November 4, 2019~~January 31, 2020, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was ~~24,804,346~~24,670,423.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Item No.		Page		Page
	PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION		PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1.	Financial Statements	3	Financial Statements	3
2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	33	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	35
4.	Controls and Procedures	34	Controls and Procedures	36
	PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
1.	Legal Proceedings	35	Legal Proceedings	37
1A.	Risk Factors	35	Risk Factors	37
2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	36	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38
6.	Exhibits	37	Exhibits	39
	Signatures	38	Signatures	40

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended December 31,							Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019				2018			2019			2018
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)							(Unaudited)
Sales and other operating revenues	$	475,921		$	539,604		$	772,836		$	919,323		$	505,049			$	636,107		$	1,277,885		$	1,555,430
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold	379,892			440,144			618,157			747,642			412,076				520,677			1,030,233			1,268,319
Selling, general and administrative expenses	52,830			45,090			103,966			108,942			48,858				58,302			152,824			167,244
Restructuring and impairment costs													—				19,447			—			19,447
Operating income	43,199			54,370			50,713			62,739			44,115				37,681			94,828			100,420
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	2,310			(614		)	2,350			(75		)
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates													(69		)		5,512			2,281			5,437
Other non-operating income	633			196			1,260			386			633				163			1,893			549
Interest income	240			299			1,248			811			164				233			1,412			1,044
Interest expense	5,136			4,593			9,164			8,542			5,197				4,732			14,361			13,274
Income before income taxes and other items	41,246			49,658			46,407			55,319			39,646				38,857			86,053			94,176
Income taxes	11,499			15,365			15,765			9,966			10,328				7,768			26,093			17,734
Net income	29,747			34,293			30,642			45,353			29,318				31,089			59,960			76,442
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(1,670		)	(2,847		)	(493		)	(728		)	(3,352		)		(2,954		)	(3,845		)	(3,682		)
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	28,077		$	31,446		$	30,149		$	44,625		$	25,966			$	28,135		$	56,115		$	72,760

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.12		$	1.25		$	1.20		$	1.78		$	1.04		��	$	1.12		$	2.24		$	2.90
Diluted	$	1.11		$	1.24		$	1.19		$	1.76		$	1.04			$	1.11		$	2.23		$	2.87

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	25,086,580			25,152,864			25,122,283			25,108,724			24,931,711				25,162,268			25,058,525			25,126,595
Diluted	25,197,325			25,337,720			25,240,600			25,311,292			25,055,054				25,365,766			25,178,517			25,329,473

Total comprehensive income, net of income taxes	$	14,908		$	34,582		$	11,456		$	32,105		$	40,023			$	28,737		$	51,479		$	60,842
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,546		)	(2,742		)	(492		)	(464		)	(3,491		)		(3,221		)	(3,983		)	(3,685		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation	$	13,362		$	31,840		$	10,964		$	31,641		$	36,532			$	25,516		$	47,496		$	57,157

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.76		$	0.75		$	1.52		$	1.50		$	0.76			$	0.75		$	2.28		$	2.25

See accompanying notes.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands of dollars)


	September 30,			September 30,			March 31,			December 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2019			2018			2019
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,173		$	67,876		$	297,556		$	64,734		$	138,358		$	297,556
Accounts receivable, net	337,825			355,674			368,110			271,981			336,564			368,110
Advances to suppliers, net	75,828			53,823			106,850			120,079			98,942			106,850
Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates	82,812			107,198			30,951			24,748			77,543			30,951
Inventories—at lower of cost or net realizable value:
Tobacco	918,592			935,406			629,606			937,661			867,181			629,606
Other	97,536			87,958			69,611			84,621			74,360			69,611
Prepaid income taxes	13,454			17,131			14,264			13,619			21,170			14,264
Other current assets	70,338			73,862			71,197			61,450			70,309			71,197
Total current assets	1,649,558			1,698,928			1,588,145			1,578,893			1,684,427			1,588,145

Property, plant and equipment
Land	22,696			23,020			22,952			22,510			23,018			22,952
Buildings	261,599			269,738			261,976			255,202			253,150			261,976
Machinery and equipment	609,320			642,915			608,191			609,976			603,752			608,191
	893,615			935,673			893,119			887,688			879,920			893,119
Less accumulated depreciation	(598,184		)	(613,130		)	(590,625		)	(592,457		)	(572,634		)	(590,625		)
	295,431			322,543			302,494			295,231			307,286			302,494
Other assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets	34,838			—			—			34,230			—			—
Goodwill and other intangibles	97,998			98,860			97,994			98,042			98,008			97,994
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	79,072			83,962			80,482			77,783			80,558			80,482
Deferred income taxes	16,250			20,473			13,357			16,354			13,959			13,357
Other noncurrent assets	45,085			47,480			50,712			50,186			44,378			50,712
	273,243			250,775			242,545			276,595			236,903			242,545

Total assets	$	2,218,232		$	2,272,246		$	2,133,184		$	2,150,719		$	2,228,616		$	2,133,184

See accompanying notes.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands of dollars)


	September 30,			September 30,			March 31,			December 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2019			2018			2019
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Notes payable and overdrafts	$	155,352		$	148,049		$	54,023		$	92,592		$	129,316		$	54,023
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	158,731			162,972			145,506			130,165			144,107			145,506
Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates	56			4,862			106			7,494			1,470			106
Customer advances and deposits	6,513			45,098			21,675			8,230			56,355			21,675
Accrued compensation	22,046			22,610			31,372			21,761			23,989			31,372
Income taxes payable	1,155			6,668			1,066			1,991			3,090			1,066
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	8,591			—			—			8,394			—			—
Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			—			—			—			—
Total current liabilities	352,444			390,259			253,748			270,627			358,327			253,748

Long-term debt	368,633			369,262			368,503			368,698			368,438			368,503
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	54,113			56,347			59,257			55,305			41,601			59,257
Long-term operating lease liabilities	23,331			—			—			23,465			—			—
Other long-term liabilities	56,146			41,758			43,214			51,185			38,467			43,214
Deferred income taxes	24,982			36,202			28,584			28,228			32,000			28,584
Total liabilities	879,649			893,828			753,306			797,508			838,833			753,306

Shareholders’ equity
Universal Corporation:
Preferred stock:
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	—			—			—			—			—			—
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized 24,841,863 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 (24,968,799 at September 30, 2018 and 24,989,946 at March 31, 2019)	324,927			324,626			326,600
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized 24,693,557 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 (24,968,799 at December 31, 2018 and 24,989,946 at March 31, 2019)										324,388			326,323			326,600
Retained earnings	1,088,608			1,084,763			1,106,178			1,089,718			1,093,829			1,106,178
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(114,876		)	(73,048		)	(95,691		)	(104,310		)	(75,667		)	(95,691		)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,298,659			1,336,341			1,337,087			1,309,796			1,344,485			1,337,087
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	39,924			42,077			42,791			43,415			45,298			42,791
Total shareholders' equity	1,338,583			1,378,418			1,379,878			1,353,211			1,389,783			1,379,878

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,218,232		$	2,272,246		$	2,133,184		$	2,150,719		$	2,228,616		$	2,133,184

See accompanying notes.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands of dollars)


	Six Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	30,642		$	45,353		$	59,960		$	76,442
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation	18,231			18,440			27,500			27,651
Net provision for losses (recoveries) on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers	(1,885		)	(5,408		)	93			(3,045		)
Foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss, net	1,767			3,952			(2,179		)	1,790
Restructuring and impairment costs							—			19,447
Restructuring payments	(298		)	(27		)	(444		)	(762		)
Other, net	(301		)	(2,459		)	2,714			6,812
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(327,975		)	(272,847		)	(260,542		)	(225,648		)
Net cash used by operating activities	(279,819		)	(212,996		)	(172,898		)	(97,313		)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(13,308		)	(20,043		)	(21,692		)	(28,370		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,254			858			2,946			1,377
Other	—			2,000			496			2,000
Net cash used by investing activities	(12,054		)	(17,185		)	(18,250		)	(24,993		)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of short-term debt, net	104,003			102,489			41,201			85,893
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(3,359		)	(1,260		)	(3,359		)	(1,260		)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,338		)	(1,443		)	(20,125		)	(1,443		)
Dividends paid on common stock	(37,721		)	(32,430		)	(56,601		)	(51,156		)
Other	(2,883		)	(2,657		)	(2,883		)	(4,946		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	47,702			64,699
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities							(41,767		)	27,088

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(212		)	(770		)	93			(552		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(244,383		)	(166,252		)	(232,822		)	(95,770		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	297,556			234,128			297,556			234,128

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	53,173		$	67,876		$	64,734		$	138,358

See accompanying notes.

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is the leading global leaf tobacco 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. 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, 2019.

NOTE 2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Pronouncements

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”) effective April 1, 2019, the beginning of the current fiscal year. For leases with fixed payment arrangements, ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize lease payment obligations as a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset in the balance sheet for the term of the lease. This guidance superseded Topic 840 “Leases.” The Company elected the practical expedient to not include leases with terms less than 12 months on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company elected the transition package of practical expedients that retained the historical lease identification, lease classification, and treatment of initial direct costs for leases prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02. Additionally, as permitted under the new guidance the Company elected to not separate lease and non-lease components for certain classes of leased assets, including real estate. The Company elected the modified retrospective transition adoption method. Accordingly, on the date of adoption $36.6 million of operating lease right-of use assets and corresponding operating lease liabilities of $34.2 million were recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 did not result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The disclosures required for lease accounting under the new guidance are provided in Note 7.8.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)" ("ASU 2017-04"). Under current accounting guidance, the fair value of a reporting unit to which a specific goodwill balance relates is first compared to its carrying value in the financial statements (Step 1). If that comparison indicates that the goodwill is impaired, an implied fair value for the goodwill must then be calculated by deducting the individual fair values of all other assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, from the total fair value of the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting guidance by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and using the fair value of the reporting unit determined in Step 1 to measure the goodwill impairment loss. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04 effective July 1, 2019. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements from the adoption of ASU 2017-04.

Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires companies to measure credit losses utilizing a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires a consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective April 1, 2020, which is the beginning of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)" ("ASU 2018-15"). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a cloud computing arrangement service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred for an internal-use software license. Under that model, implementation costs are capitalized or expensed depending on the nature of the costs and the project stage during which they are incurred. Capitalized implementation costs are amortized over the term of the associated hosted cloud computing arrangement service contract on a straight-line basis, unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the pattern in which the entity expects to benefit from its right to access the hosted software. Capitalized implementation costs would then be assessed for impairment in a manner similar to long-

lived assets. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance either prospectively to eligible costs incurred on or after the date the guidance is first applied or retrospectively. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2018-15 effective April 1, 2020, which is the beginning of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The majority of the Company’s consolidated revenue consists of sales of processed leaf tobacco to customers. The Company also earns revenue from processing leaf tobacco owned by customers and from various other services provided to customers. Payment terms with customers vary depending on customer creditworthiness, product types, services provided, and other factors. Contract durations and payment terms for all revenue categories generally do not exceed one year. Therefore, the Company has applied a practical expedient to not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing components, as the Company expects that the period from the time the revenue for a transaction is recognized to the time the customer pays for the related good or service transferred will be one year or less. Below is a description of the major revenue-generating categories from contracts with customers.

Tobacco Sales

The majority of the Company’s business involves purchasing leaf tobacco from farmers in the origins where it is grown, processing and packing the tobacco in its factories, and then transferring ownership and control of the tobacco to customers. On a much smaller basis, the Company also sources processed tobacco from third-party suppliers for resale to customers. The contracts for tobacco sales with customers create a performance obligation to transfer tobacco to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of tobaccos are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices, but the Company does have a small number of cost-plus contracts with certain customers. Cost-plus arrangements provide the Company reimbursement of the cost to purchase and process the tobacco, plus a contractually agreed-upon profit margin. The Company utilizes the most likely amount methodology under the accounting guidance to recognize revenue for cost-plus arrangements with customers. Shipping and handling costs under tobacco sales contracts with customers are treated as fulfillment costs and included in the transaction price. Taxes assessed by government authorities on the sale of leaf tobacco products are excluded from the transaction price. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the tobacco, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale.

Processing Revenue

Processing and packing of customer-owned leaf tobacco is a short-duration process. Processing charges are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices per unit of weight processed. Under normal operating conditions, customer-owned raw tobacco that is placed into the production line exits as processed and packed tobacco within one hour and is then later transported to customer-designated storage facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when processing is completed. The Company’s operating history and contract analyses indicate that customer requirements for processed tobacco are consistently met upon completion of processing.

Other Revenue

From time to time, the Company enters into various arrangements with customers to provide other value-added services that may include blending, chemical and physical testing of tobacco, and service cutting for select manufacturers. These other arrangements are a much smaller portion of the Company’s business, are typically less frequent, and are separate and distinct contractual agreements from the Company’s tobacco sales or processing arrangements with customers. The transaction prices and timing of revenue recognition of these items are determined by the specifics of each contract.

Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by significant revenue-generating category:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended December 31,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019		2018		2019		2018		2019		2018		2019		2018

Tobacco sales	$	449,431	$	509,632	$	717,488	$	854,769	$	475,574	$	600,848	$	1,193,062	$	1,455,617
Processing revenue	16,701		17,394		35,135		39,101		20,112		23,143		55,247		62,244
Other sales and revenue from contracts with customers	8,381		10,520		17,791		18,646		7,687		10,083		25,478		28,729
Total revenue from contracts with customers	474,513		537,546		770,414		912,516		503,373		634,074		1,273,787		1,546,590
Other operating sales and revenues	1,408		2,058		2,422		6,807		1,676		2,033		4,098		8,840
Consolidated sales and other operating revenues	$	475,921	$	539,604	$	772,836	$	919,323	$	505,049	$	636,107	$	1,277,885	$	1,555,430

Other operating sales and revenues consists principally of interest on advances to suppliers and dividend income from unconsolidated affiliates.

NOTE 4. GUARANTEES, OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES, AND OTHER MATTERS

Guarantees and Other Contingent Liabilities

Guarantees of Bank Loans and Other Contingent Liabilities

Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers for crop financing have long been industry practice in Brazil and support the farmers’ production of tobacco there. The Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil had guarantees outstanding at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, all of which expire within one year. The subsidiary withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forwards those payments to the third-party banks. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary to cover its obligations to the third-party banks could result in a liability for the subsidiary under the related guarantees; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company’s subsidiary could be required to make at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, was the face amount, $55.1 million including unpaid accrued interest ($2930 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $17 million at March 31, 2019). The fair value of the guarantees was a liability of approximately $0.1 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 ($~~0.9~~0.8 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $0.8 million at March 31, 2019). In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $1 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, primarily related to outstanding letters of credit.

Value-Added Tax Assessments in Brazil

As further discussed below, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) in connection with their operations, which generate tax credits that they normally are entitled to recover through offset, refund, or sale to third parties. In Brazil, VAT is assessed at the state level when green tobacco is transferred between states. The Company’s operating subsidiary there pays VAT when tobaccos grown in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana are transferred to its factory in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for processing. The subsidiary has received assessments for additional VAT plus interest and penalties from tax authorities for the states of Santa Catarina and Parana based on audits of the subsidiary’s VAT filings for specified periods. In June 2011, tax authorities for the state of Santa Catarina issued assessments for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2006 through 2009 totaling approximately ~~$11~~$12 million. In September 2014, tax authorities for the state of Parana issued an assessment for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2009 through 2014 totaling approximately ~~$13~~$14 million. Those amounts are based on the exchange rate for the Brazilian currency at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019. Management of the operating subsidiary and outside counsel believe that errors were made by the tax authorities for both states in determining all or significant portions of these assessments and that various defenses support the subsidiary’s positions.

With respect to the Santa Catarina assessments, the subsidiary took appropriate steps to contest the full amount of the claims. As of ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, a portion of the subsidiary’s arguments had been accepted, and the outstanding assessment had been reduced. The reduced assessment, together with the related accumulated interest through the end of the current reporting period, totaled approximately ~~$11~~$12 million (at the ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 exchange rate). The subsidiary is continuing to contest the full remaining amount of the assessment. While the range of reasonably possible loss is 0 up to the full ~~$11~~$12 million remaining assessment with

interest, based on the strength of the subsidiary’s defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and 0 liability has been recorded at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019.

With respect to the Parana assessment, management of the subsidiary and outside counsel challenged the full amount of the claim. A significant portion of the Parana assessment was based on positions taken by the tax authorities that management and outside counsel believe deviate significantly from the underlying statutes and relevant case law. In addition, under the law, the subsidiary’s tax filings for certain periods covered in the assessment were no longer open to any challenge by the tax authorities. In December 2015, the Parana tax authorities withdrew the initial claim and subsequently issued a new assessment covering the same tax ~~periods. The new assessment totaled approximately $5 million at the September 30, 2019 exchange rate,~~periods, reflecting a substantial reduction from the original ~~$13~~assessment. In fiscal year 2020, the Parana tax authorities acknowledged the statute of limitations related to claims prior to December 2010 had expired and reduced the assessment to $4 million ~~assessment.~~(at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate). Notwithstanding the ~~reduction,~~reduced assessment, management and outside counsel continue to believe that the new assessment is not supported by the underlying statutes and relevant case law and have challenged the full amount of the claim. The range of reasonably possible loss is considered to be 0 up to the full $5$4 million assessment. However, based on the strength of the subsidiary's defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and 0 liability has been recorded at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019.

In both states, the process for reaching a final resolution to the assessments is expected to be lengthy, and management is not currently able to predict when either case will be concluded. Should the subsidiary ultimately be required to pay any tax, interest, or penalties in either case, the portion paid for tax would generate VAT credits that the subsidiary may be able to recover.

Tanzania Fair Competition Commission Proceeding

In June 2012, the Company’s Tanzanian subsidiary, Tanzania Leaf Tobacco Company Ltd. (“TLTC”), entered into a two crop-year supply agreement for unprocessed “green” tobacco with a newly-formed Tanzanian subsidiary of one of the Company’s major customers. The agreement involved green tobacco purchases from 4 of the approximately 400 grower cooperatives in Tanzania, which allowed the customer and its Tanzanian subsidiary on a small test basis to evaluate whether it would be a viable alternative for the customer to establish its own vertically integrated supply operations in that market. Prior to that time, the customer’s subsidiary did not exist, and it only purchased processed Tanzanian tobacco from tobacco dealers in specified amounts and only for certain grades and stalk positions. In contrast, the agreement with TLTC required the customer’s subsidiary to purchase green tobacco on a “run of crop” basis. “Run of crop” requires the purchase of all green tobacco produced on the tobacco plant, regardless of grade or stalk position. The agreement, therefore, enabled the customer’s subsidiary on a small test basis to evaluate the quality of green tobacco purchased on a “run of crop” basis and to assess how such tobacco would be suited to the customer's tobacco requirements. The customer unilaterally elected to establish its own vertically integrated supply operations in Tanzania after the expiration of the agreement, and its subsidiary began purchasing green tobacco directly from Tanzanian grower cooperatives during the second crop year thereafter.

Despite the pro-competitive object and effect of the agreement between TLTC and the customer’s subsidiary, in October 2016, the Tanzania Fair Competition Commission (“FCC”) notified TLTC and the customer’s subsidiary that it reviewed the agreement and provisionally concluded that it infringed Tanzania antitrust law by having the object and effect of preventing competition in the purchase of unprocessed green tobacco in the area in which the 4 grower cooperatives were located. The FCC also provisionally concluded that the Company’s U.S. subsidiary, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. (“ULT”), and additional subsidiaries of the customer, were jointly and severally liable for the actions of TLTC and the customer’s Tanzanian subsidiary, respectively. TLTC and ULT submitted a written response contesting the FCC’s allegations, and on February 27, 2018, the FCC issued its decision to TLTC and ULT which ignored TLTC's and ULT's submissions and confirmed its initial conclusion that the agreement infringed Tanzanian antitrust law. In its decision, the FCC concluded incorrectly that the parties to the agreement unfairly benefited in the amount of $105 thousand. The FCC arbitrarily assessed a fine jointly against TLTC and ULT of approximately $197 million and a fine jointly against the customer’s Tanzanian subsidiary and another subsidiary of the customer exceeding $1 billion.

TLTC and ULT have worked closely with expert legal advisors and economists on this matter. Based on these engagements and consultations, the Company firmly believes the FCC’s allegations are frivolous and clearly without merit or support from the facts, law or economic analysis. The Company further believes the FCC’s proceedings were rife with irregularities and did not comply with applicable legal and regulatory procedures with respect to this matter, including failing to establish jurisdiction over ULT or to offer a legal justification for including ULT in the proceeding. To the contrary, the Company believes the facts, law, and economic analysis clearly support the legality and pro-competitive nature of the agreement and support a proper conclusion that there was no infringement of Tanzania antitrust law, and the agreement had no negative impact on the Tanzania tobacco market. The Company further believes the FCC’s proposed fine is ludicrous, unwarranted, and contrary to Tanzania law. TLTC and ULT immediately appealed the FCC findings to the Tanzania Fair Competition Tribunal, which immediately stayed the execution of any FCC fines. The Company is unable to predict how long the appeal process will take; however, the Company believes it could last several years.

At this time, the Company believes that the likelihood of incurring any material liability in this matter is remote, and 0 amount has been recorded.

On January 22, 2019, the FCC delivered provisional findings regarding two new allegations of antitrust violations. In those two new provisional findings, the FCC has manufactured claims against ULT and ULT's subsidiaries in Tanzania, in addition to other parties in Tanzania. ULT and its Tanzania subsidiaries have already begun working closely with expert legal advisors on these matters and have prepared and submitted to the FCC proper and comprehensive responses. Based on the legal consultations to date the Company firmly believes the FCC's new allegations are frivolous and clearly without merit and lack facts, law or economic analysis to support them. In one of the two new matters, based on the Company's review of the provisional findings and consultation with counsel, the Company believes the FCC is seeking an equally large, ludicrous, unwarranted, and unlawful fine as the one sought in the current matter. The FCC's motivations for initiating these additional, spurious allegations against the Company's subsidiaries are unclear. At this time, the Company is unable to predict how long it will take to defend against the new matters including, if necessary, to appeal any final FCC decisions; however, the Company believes it could last several years. At this time, the Company believes that the likelihood of incurring any material liability in the new matters is remote, and 0 amount has been recorded for either one.

Other Legal and Tax Matters

Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or 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.

Advances to Suppliers

In many sourcing origins where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, seedlings, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production, or makes seasonal cash advances to farmers for the procurement of those inputs. These advances are short term, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. In several origins, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to suppliers totaled $94142 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, $73120 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $129 million at March 31, 2019. The related valuation allowances totaled $1618 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, $1619 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $18 million at March 31, 2019, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by net provisions of approximately $0.1 million and reduced by net recoveries of approximately ~~$1.9 million and $5.4~~$3.0 million in the ~~six-month~~nine-month periods ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These net provisions and recoveries are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Interest on advances is recognized in earnings upon the farmers’ delivery of tobacco in payment of principal and interest.

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits

In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The

Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At ~~September 30,~~

December 31, 2019, the aggregate balance of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $5658 million ($5457 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $53 million at March 31, 2019), and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $20 million ($1718 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and $17 million at March 31, 2019). The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Stock Repurchase Plan

A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 7, 2017 and further extended on May 29, 2019. This stock repurchase plan authorized the purchase of up to $100 million in common and/or preferred stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors. This stock repurchase program will expire on the earlier of November 15, 2020, or when the funds authorized for the program are exhausted. The program had ~~$77.2~~$69.5 million of remaining capacity for repurchases of common and/or preferred stock at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019.

NOTE 5. RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS

Universal continually reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. Restructuring costs are periodically incurred in connection with those activities.

The Company did not incur any restructuring and impairment costs during the nine months ended December 31, 2019 .

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2018

Due to the decline in customer demand for tobaccos from Tanzania, as well as regulatory, tax, and other business and operating considerations, the Company undertook a formal review of the Tanzania leaf tobacco market and its operations there in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019. Based on that review, the Company’s operating subsidiaries in Tanzania took steps to reduce operating costs going forward, including discontinuation of a year-round workforce. The Company recorded $4.0 million of termination benefit costs as a restructuring charge in the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2018. All amounts related to termination benefit costs were paid by the end of fiscal year 2019.

In addition, as a result of the decrease in production volumes of Tanzania tobaccos and the associated reduced profitability, the Company determined that indicators of impairment in the carrying value of the property, plant and equipment comprising the Tanzania operations were present at December 31, 2018. Accordingly, based on the applicable accounting guidance, the Company tested the recoverability of those long-lived assets using undiscounted estimates of the future cash flows from the use of those assets and their eventual disposition. The property, plant and equipment were evaluated for recoverability using two distinct asset groups: (1) the land, building, and equipment comprising the processing facility, and (2) all remaining assets, which are substantially devoted to buying and receiving delivery of unprocessed leaf from farmers and marketing and shipping the processed tobacco to customers. The recoverability tests indicated that both asset groups were impaired at December 31, 2018. As a result, the Company determined the fair value of each asset group based principally on a probability-weighting of the discounted cash flows expected under multiple operating and disposition scenarios. An impairment charge of approximately $14.6 million was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the assets to their indicated fair values. The Company has made no decisions with respect to operations as of December 31, 2019. Should the expected cash flows from future use and/or disposition of the assets change from the estimates on which their fair values were determined, additional impairment charges could be required, or gains or losses on any disposition of the assets could be recorded. The Company also had goodwill related to the Tanzanian operations of approximately $0.9 million which was separately tested for recoverability and fully written off based on the results of that test during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

A summary of the restructuring and impairment costs recorded in the quarter and nine ended December 31, 2018 related to the Company’s operations in Tanzania is as follows:



(in thousands)		Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Restructuring costs:
	Employee termination benefits	$	3,974
Impairment costs:
	Property, plant and equipment	14,584
	Goodwill	889
		15,473
	Total restructuring and impairment costs	$	19,447

The Tanzania operations are part of the Other Regions reportable operating segment within the Company’s flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations. The Company recognized an income tax benefit on the charge that is less than the benefit determined at the statutory tax rate in Tanzania, primarily because the reduced profitability of the operations is expected to limit utilization of the charge as a deductible expense for income tax return purposes. For the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2018, the restructuring and impairment costs reduced operating income and income before income taxes by $19.4 million, net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $15.8 million, and diluted earnings per share by $0.62.

NOTE 5.6. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended December 31,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	2019		2018		2019		2018		2019		2018		2019		2018

Basic Earnings Per Share
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	28,077	$	31,446	$	30,149	$	44,625	$	25,966	$	28,135	$	56,115	$	72,760

Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,086,580		25,152,864		25,122,283		25,108,724		24,931,711		25,162,268		25,058,525		25,126,595

Basic earnings per share	$	1.12	$	1.25	$	1.20	$	1.78	$	1.04	$	1.12	$	2.24	$	2.90

Diluted Earnings Per Share
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	28,077	$	31,446	$	30,149	$	44,625	$	25,966	$	28,135	$	56,115	$	72,760

Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,086,580		25,152,864		25,122,283		25,108,724		24,931,711		25,162,268		25,058,525		25,126,595
Effect of dilutive securities
Employee share-based awards	110,745		184,856		118,317		202,568		123,343		203,498		119,992		202,878
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	25,197,325		25,337,720		25,240,600		25,311,292		25,055,054		25,365,766		25,178,517		25,329,473

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.11	$	1.24	$	1.19	$	1.76	$	1.04	$	1.11	$	2.23	$	2.87

NOTE 6.7. INCOME TAXES

The Company operates in the United States and many foreign countries and is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company’s earnings, as can the resolution of pending and contested tax issues. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by a number of factors, including the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and the effect of exchange rate changes on deferred taxes. Effective tax rates also reflect the benefit of various tax planning opportunities, as well as the net effect of items that were accounted for on a discrete basis in each period.

The consolidated effective income tax rates for the quarter and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 were ~~28%~~26% and ~~34%~~30%, respectively. ~~In the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, the~~The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 was affected by a $2.8 million net tax provision related to an unresolved tax matter at a foreign subsidiary. Without the discrete item for the unresolved tax matter, the consolidated effective income tax rate for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 would have been approximately ~~28%~~27% .

The consolidated effective income tax rates for the quarter and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018 were approximately ~~31%~~20% and ~~18%~~19%, respectively. During the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2019, the Company reversed amounts previously recorded for dividend withholding taxes on distributed and undistributed retained earnings of a foreign subsidiary. The reversal followed the resolution of uncertainties with the local country taxing authorities with respect to the inclusion of the tax under a tax holiday applicable to the subsidiary and was attributable to retained earnings amounts previously distributed or expected to be distributed prior to the expiration of the tax holiday. Without the dividend withholding tax reversal, the consolidated effective income tax rates for the ~~quarter and six~~nine months would have been approximately ~~33% and 32%, respectively.~~27%.

NOTE 7.8. LEASES

The Company, as a lessee, enters into operating leases for land, buildings, equipment, and vehicles. For all operating leases with terms greater than 12 months and with fixed payment arrangements, a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset are recognized in the balance sheet for the term of the lease by calculating the net present value of future lease payments. On the date of lease commencement, the present value of lease liabilities is determined by discounting the future lease payments by the Company’s collateralized incremental borrowing rate, adjusted for the lease term and currency of the lease payments. If a lease contains a renewal option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company accounts for the original lease term and expected renewal term in the calculation of the lease liability and right-of-use asset.

The following table sets forth the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet:


(in thousands)	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2019

Assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	34,838	$	34,230

Liabilities
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	8,591		$	8,394
Long-term operating lease liabilities	23,331		23,465
Total operating lease liabilities	$	31,922	$	31,859

The following table sets forth the location and amount of operating lease costs included in the Company's consolidated statement of income:


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Six Months Ended September 30,		Three Months Ended December 31,		Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2019		2019		2019

Income Statement Location
Cost of goods sold	$	2,591	$	5,209	$	2,786	$	7,995
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	2,064		4,050		2,132		6,182
Total operating lease costs⁽¹⁾	$	4,655	$	9,259	$	4,918	$	14,177


⁽¹⁾	Includes variable operating lease costs.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded $17.6 million of total expense for operating leases.

The following table reconciles the undiscounted cash flows to the operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet:


(in thousands)	September 30, 2019			December 31, 2019
Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities
2020 (excluding the six months ended September 30, 2019)	$	5,369
2020 (excluding the nine months ended December 31, 2019)				$	2,826
2021	8,807			9,271
2022	5,636			6,222
2023	4,309			5,021
2024	3,293			3,558
2025 and thereafter	9,995			10,268
Total undiscounted cash flows for operating leases	$	37,409		$	37,166
Less: Imputed interest	(5,487		)	(5,307		)
Total operating lease liabilities	$	31,922		$	31,859

As of ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the Company has entered into additional operating leases that have not yet commenced, representing ~~$1.0~~$0.4 million of future payments.

The following table sets forth supplemental information related to operating leases:


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Six Months Ended September 30,			Three Months Ended December 31,		Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except lease term and incremental borrowing rate)	2019		2019			2019		2019

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$	4,213	$	7,259		$	3,805	$	11,064
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating leases	$	3,633	$	4,101		1,512		5,613

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years)			6.15					6.01

Weighted Average Collateralized Incremental Borrowing Rate			4.75		%			4.82		%

NOTE 8.9. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Universal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Interest rate risk has been managed by entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts. However, the Company’s policy also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided by operating activities.

Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk

In February 2019, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on two outstanding non-amortizing bank term loans that were funded as part of a new bank credit facility in December 2018. Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. At ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the total notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $370 million, which corresponded with the aggregate outstanding balance of the term loans.

Previously, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges for two outstanding non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid concurrent with closing on the new bank credit facility. Those swap agreements were subsequently terminated in February 2019 concurrent with the inception of the new swap

agreements. The fair value of the previous swap agreements, approximately $5.4 million, was received from the counterparties upon termination and is being amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through the original maturity dates of those agreements.

Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Sales of Crop Inputs, Forecast Purchases of Tobacco, and Related Processing Costs

The majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars. However, sales of crop inputs (such as seeds and fertilizers) to farmers, purchases of tobacco from farmers, and most processing costs (such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies where tobacco is grown and processed affect the ultimate U.S. dollar sales of crop inputs and cost of processed tobacco. From time to time, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to buy U.S. dollars and sell the local currency at future dates that coincide with the sale of crop inputs to farmers. In the case of forecast purchases of tobacco and the related processing costs, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. These strategies offset the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for sales of crop inputs, tobacco purchases, and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged. These hedging strategies have been used mainly for tobacco purchases, processing costs, and sales of crop inputs ~~tobacco purchases,~~in Brazil and ~~processing costs in Brazil,~~Mozambique, although the Company has also entered ~~forward contracts to hedge exchange rate risk~~into hedges for a portion of the ~~forecast~~ tobacco purchases ~~from the 2019 crop~~ in Mozambique. The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward and option contracts entered into for these purposes during the ~~first six months of~~nine-month periods in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:


	Six Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in millions of dollars)	2019		2018		2019		2018

Tobacco purchases	$	72.0	$	59.8	$	123.2	$	71.9
Processing costs	26.3		18.1		35.1		18.1
Crop input sales	21.7		—		21.7		—
Total	$	120.0	$	77.9	$	180.0	$	90.0

The increased U.S. dollar notional amounts for tobacco purchases and processing costs hedged during the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, primarily reflect purchase and processing hedges entered into for the 2020 crop year in Brazil, which historically were entered into during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. All contracts related to tobacco purchases were designated and qualify as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, changes in fair values of the forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings upon sale of the related tobacco to third-party customers. Forward and option contracts related to sales of crop inputs and processing costs have not been designated as hedges, and gains and losses on those contracts have been recognized in earnings on a mark-to-market basis.

For substantially all hedge gains and losses related to 2019 crops recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the Company expects to complete the sale of the tobacco and recognize the amounts in earnings during fiscal year 2020. ~~Purchases of the 2019 Brazilian crop are expected to be completed by August 2019, and all forward contracts to hedge these purchases will mature and be settled by that time.~~ For hedged gains and losses related to the 2020 Brazilian and Mozambique crops and the 2021 Mozambique crop recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the Company expects to complete the sale of tobacco and recognize the amounts in earnings during fiscal ~~year 2021.~~years 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Net Local Currency Monetary Assets and Liabilities of Foreign Subsidiaries

Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These subsidiaries normally have certain monetary assets and liabilities on their balance sheets that are denominated in the local currency. Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances to farmers and suppliers, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, recoverable value-added taxes, operating lease liabilities, and other items. Net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars each reporting period, generating gains and losses that the Company records in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the year based on the operating cycle, but it is most common for monetary assets to exceed monetary liabilities, sometimes by a significant amount. When this

situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are generated. Conversely,

remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens against the U.S. dollar. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses, the Company enters into forward contracts to buy or sell the local currency at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are generally arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The Company is currently using forward currency contracts to manage its exposure to currency remeasurement risk in Brazil. The total notional amounts of contracts outstanding at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, and March 31, 2019, were approximately ~~$36.0~~$33.8 million, ~~$24.6~~$38.7 million, and $24.8 million, respectively. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries may utilize short-term local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities, thus hedging a portion of the overall position.

Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income

The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018

Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivative
Effective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(5,443	)	$	1,119		$	(15,255	)	$	2,675		$	4,797		$	(3,467	)	$	(10,458	)	$	(792	)
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	(220	)	$	441		$	(225	)	$	732		$	(606	)	$	663		$	(831	)	$	1,395
Gain on terminated interest rate swaps amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	779		$	—		$	1,558		$	—		$	779		$	—		$	2,337		$	—
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	Interest expense												Interest expense
Ineffective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses												Selling, general and administrative expenses
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item	Floating rate interest payments on term loan												Floating rate interest payments on term loan

Cash Flow Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Derivative
Effective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,993	)	$	101		$	39		$	(2,930	)	$	2,119		$	592		$	2,158		$	(2,338	)
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	276		$	(529	)	$	265		$	(554	)	$	450		$	(713	)	$	715		$	(1,267	)
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	Cost of goods sold												Cost of goods sold
Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses												Selling, general and administrative expenses
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item	Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil and Mozambique												Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil and Mozambique

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	(2	)	$	2,688		$	49		$	(2,757	)	$	(43	)	$	(897	)	$	6		$	(3,654	)
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses												Selling, general and administrative expenses

For the interest rate swap agreements, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil and Mozambique, a net hedge gain of approximately ~~$0.1~~$1.8 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019. That balance reflects gains and losses on contracts related to the 2019 and 2020 Brazil crops and ~~2019~~the 2020 and 2021 Mozambique ~~crop,~~crops, less the amount reclassified to earnings related to tobacco sold through ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive ~~loss~~gain associated with the 2019 ~~crops in~~ Brazil ~~and Mozambique~~crop is expected to be recognized in earnings as a component

of cost of goods

sold in fiscal year 2020 as those tobaccos are sold to customers. The balances in accumulated other comprehensive gain related to the 2020 Brazil and Mozambique crops are expected to be recognized in earnings in fiscal year 2021 as those tobaccos are sold to customers. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive ~~loss related to~~gain associated with the ~~2020 Brazil~~2021 Mozambique crop is expected to be recognized in earnings in fiscal year ~~2021~~2022 as ~~that tobacco is~~those tobaccos are sold to customers. Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change in the direct cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer. Generally, margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected.

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, and March 31, 2019:


		Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position													Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position														Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position													Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position
		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value as of											Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value as of												Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value as of											Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value as of
(in thousands of dollars)			September 30, 2019				September 30, 2018				March 31, 2019				Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2019				September 30, 2018				March 31, 2019					Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019				Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments																											Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap agreements		Balance Sheet Location	Other non-current assets		$	—			$	10,205			$	—		Other long-term liabilities		$	21,381			$	—			$	6,351			Other non-current assets		$	—			$	6,075			$	—		Other long-term liabilities		$	15,978			$	—			$	6,351

Foreign currency exchange contracts		Other current assets		—				—				307			Accounts payable and accrued expenses		762				—				—				Other current assets		1,530				592				307			Accounts payable and accrued expenses		172				—				—
Total				$	—			$	10,205			$	307				$	22,143			$	—			$	6,351					$	1,530			$	6,667			$	307				$	16,150			$	—			$	6,351

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments																											Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign currency exchange contracts		Other current assets		$	45			$	142			$	233		Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	532			$	384			$	386			Other current assets		$	259			$	103			$	233		Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	1,038			$	34			$	386
Total				$	45			$	142			$	233				$	532			$	384			$	386					$	259			$	103			$	233				$	1,038			$	34			$	386

Substantially all of the Company's foreign exchange derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets.

NOTE 9.10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair values for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present.

Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists.

There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy:



Level		Description

1		quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date;

2		quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

3		unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

As permitted under the accounting guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of its money market funds. The fair values for those funds are presented under the heading "NAV" in the tables that follow in this disclosure. In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, and at March 31, 2019, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy or the NAV practical expedient:


	September 30, 2019										December 31, 2019
			Fair Value Hierarchy										Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands of dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets
Money market funds	$	2,032	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,032	$	4,003	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,003
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	—		16,100		—		—		16,100		—		16,410		—		—		16,410
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		45		—		45		—		—		1,789		—		1,789
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	$	2,032	$	16,100	$	45	$	—	$	18,177	$	4,003	$	16,410	$	1,789	$	—	$	22,202

Liabilities
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	137	$	137	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	131	$	131
Interest rate swap agreements	—		—		21,381		—		21,381		—		—		15,978		—		15,978
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		1,293		—		1,293		—		—		1,211		—		1,211
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	22,674	$	137	$	22,811	$	—	$	—	$	17,189	$	131	$	17,320


	September 30, 2018										December 31, 2018
			Fair Value Hierarchy										Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands of dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets
Money market funds	$	1,708	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,708	$	1,716	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,716
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	—		17,344		—		—		17,344		—		15,115		—		—		15,115
Interest rate swap agreements	—		—		10,205		—		10,205		—		—		6,075		—		6,075
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		142		—		142		—		—		697		—		697
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	$	1,708	$	17,344	$	10,347	$	—	$	29,399	$	1,716	$	15,115	$	6,772	$	—	$	23,603

Liabilities
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	919	$	919	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	784	$	784
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		384		—		384		—		—		34		—		34
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	384	$	919	$	1,303	$	—	$	—	$	34	$	784	$	818



	March 31, 2019
			Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands of dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets
Money market funds	$	156,864	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	156,864
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	—		16,315		—		—		16,315
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		540		—		540
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	$	156,864	$	16,315	$	540	$	—	$	173,719

Liabilities
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	803	$	803
Interest rate swap agreements	—		—		6,351		—		6,351
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		—		386		—		386
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	6,737	$	803	$	7,540

Money market funds

The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on NAV, which is the amount at which the funds are redeemable and is used as a practical expedient for fair value. These funds are not classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are disclosed as part of the fair value table above.

Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans

Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds.

Interest rate swap agreements

The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign currency exchange contracts

The fair values of forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers

The Company guarantees bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil for crop financing. In the event that the farmers default on their payments to the banks, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of farmer defaults based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value of its guarantees as an obligation in its consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the guarantees is determined using the expected loss data for all loans outstanding at each measurement date. The present value of the cash flows associated with the estimated losses is then calculated at a risk-adjusted interest rate that is aligned with the expected duration of the liability and includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.” Although historical loss data is an observable input, significant judgment is required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans outstanding at each measurement date and in selecting a risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rate may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers are therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018 is provided below.


	Six Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018

Balance at beginning of year	$	803		$	974		$	803		$	974
Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from portfolio)	(651		)	(688		)	(661		)	(777		)
Provision for loss or transfers from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)	(5		)	808			(5		)	746
Change in discount rate and estimated collection period	(7		)	53			(7		)	44
Currency remeasurement	(3		)	(228		)	1			(203		)
Balance at end of period	$	137		$	919		$	131		$	784

Long-term Debt

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $370 million at each of the balance sheet dates ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2019. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired. Due to business changes that affected the leaf tobacco market in Tanzania and the Company's operations there, an impairment charge of ~~the~~ the long-lived assets in Tanzania was recorded in fiscal year 2019 to reduce their carrying value to fair value at March 31, 2019. The long-lived assets consist principally of the Company's processing facility and equipment, storage facilities, tobacco buying and receiving stations, employee housing, and vehicles and transportation equipment. The aggregate fair value of those assets was approximately $17 million at March 31, 2019. The fair values of the property, plant and equipment were determined based principally on a probability-weighting of the discounted cash flows expected under multiple operating and disposition scenarios. Significant judgment was required in estimating the amount and timing of the future cash flows associated with the use and disposition of the assets, as well as the probabilities associated with the respective

operating and disposition scenarios. Accordingly, the nonrecurring measurement of the fair value of these assets is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE ~~10.~~11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering U.S. salaried employees and certain foreign and other employee groups. These plans provide retirement benefits based primarily on employee compensation and years of service. The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans that provide postretirement health and life insurance benefits for eligible U.S. employees attaining specific age and service levels, although postretirement life insurance is no longer provided for active employees.

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows:


	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits						Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended December 31,						Three Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018

Service cost	$	1,477		$	1,452		$	53		$	58		$	1,529		$	1,433		$	53		$	60
Interest cost	2,710			2,485			331			330			2,678			2,503			322			342
Expected return on plan assets	(4,190		)	(3,694		)	(29		)	(25		)	(4,151		)	(3,693		)	(24		)	(24		)
Net amortization and deferral	698			902			(153		)	(194		)	696			902			(154		)	(193		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	695		$	1,145		$	202		$	169		$	752		$	1,145		$	197		$	185


	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits						Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	Six Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018

Service cost	$	3,066		$	2,907		$	106		$	117		$	4,595		$	4,340		$	159		$	177
Interest cost	5,447			4,966			664			670			8,125			7,469			986			1,012
Expected return on plan assets	(8,406		)	(7,388		)	(56		)	(50		)	(12,557		)	(11,081		)	(80		)	(74		)
Net amortization and deferral	1,396			1,804			(305		)	(388		)	2,092			2,706			(459		)	(581		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,503		$	2,289		$	409		$	349		$	2,255		$	3,434		$	606		$	534

During the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the Company made contributions of approximately $~~4.7~~5.1 million to its pension plans. Additional contributions of $~~1.3~~0.9 million are expected during the remaining ~~six~~three months of fiscal year 2020.

NOTE ~~11.~~12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Universal’s shareholders have approved Executive Stock Plans (“Plans”) under which officers, directors, and employees of the Company may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share awards (“PSAs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. The Company’s practice is to award grants of stock-based compensation to officers on an annual basis at the first regularly-scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior year. The Compensation Committee administers the Company’s Plans consistently, following previously defined guidelines. In recent years, the Compensation Committee has awarded only grants of RSUs and PSAs. Awards of restricted stock, RSUs, and PSAs are currently outstanding under the Plans. The RSUs vest five years from the grant date and are then paid out in shares of common stock. Under the terms of the RSU awards, grantees receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs that vest and are paid out on the same date as the original RSU grant. The PSAs vest at the end of a three-year performance period that begins with the year of the grant, are paid out in shares of common stock shortly after the vesting date, and do not carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting. Shares ultimately paid out under PSA grants are dependent on the achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from 0 to 150% of the stated award. The Company’s outside directors automatically receive RSUs following each annual meeting

of shareholders and previously received restricted stock. RSUs awarded to outside directors vest in one year for the 2020 Stock

Incentive Plan or three years for any prior Incentive Plans after the grant date, and restricted shares vest upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director.

During the ~~six-month~~nine-month periods ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, Universal issued the following stock-based awards, representing the regular annual grants to officers and outside directors of the Company:


	Six Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2019		2018

RSUs:
Number granted	67,040		71,200		67,040		71,200
Grant date fair value	$	57.54	$	66.30	$	57.54	$	66.30

PSAs:
Number granted	46,300		54,800		46,300		54,800
Grant date fair value	$	50.16	$	57.12	$	50.16	$	57.12

Fair value expense for stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the period from grant date to the earlier of: (1) the vesting date of the award, or (2) the date the grantee is eligible to retire without forfeiting the award. For employees who are already eligible to retire at the date an award is granted, the total fair value of all non-forfeitable awards is recognized as expense at the date of grant. As a result, Universal typically incurs higher stock compensation expense in the first quarter of each fiscal year when grants are awarded to officers than in the other three quarters. For PSAs, the Company generally recognizes fair value expense ratably over the performance and vesting period based on management’s judgment of the ultimate award that is likely to be paid out based on the achievement of the predetermined performance measures. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. For the ~~six~~nine-month periods ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $~~3.7~~4.8 million and $~~5.7~~7.1 million, respectively. The Company expects to recognize stock-based compensation expense of approximately $~~2.2~~1.1 million during the remaining ~~six~~three months of fiscal year 2020.

NOTE ~~12.~~13. OPERATING SEGMENTS

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 (excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits), plus equity in the pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates. Operating results for the Company’s reportable segments for each period presented in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,					Three Months Ended December 31,					Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018		2019		2018			2019			2018

SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES
Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
North America	$	57,612		$	67,782		$	85,271		$	183,338	$	49,378	$	78,009		$	134,649		$	261,347
Other Regions ⁽¹⁾	355,757			398,087			557,822			606,019		386,261		483,161			944,083			1,089,180
Subtotal	413,369			465,869			643,093			789,357		435,639		561,170			1,078,732			1,350,527
Other Tobacco Operations ⁽²⁾	62,552			73,735			129,743			129,966		69,410		74,937			199,153			204,903
Consolidated sales and other operating revenue	$	475,921		$	539,604		$	772,836		$	919,323	$	505,049	$	636,107		$	1,277,885		$	1,555,430

OPERATING INCOME
Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
North America	$	5,472		$	8,296		$	6,362		$	17,248	$	352	$	3,147		$	6,714		$	20,395
Other Regions ⁽¹⁾	32,525			45,562			28,710			43,545		39,430		53,283			68,140			96,828
Subtotal	37,997			53,858			35,072			60,793		39,782		56,430			74,854			117,223
Other Tobacco Operations ⁽²⁾	7,512			(102		)	17,991			1,871		4,264		6,210			22,255			8,081
Segment operating income	45,509			53,756			53,063			62,664		44,046		62,640			97,109			125,304
Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates ⁽³⁾	(2,310		)	614			(2,350		)	75		69		(5,512		)	(2,281		)	(5,437		)
Restructuring and impairment costs ⁽⁴⁾												—		(19,447		)	—			(19,447		)
Consolidated operating income	$	43,199		$	54,370		$	50,713		$	62,739	$	44,115	$	37,681		$	94,828		$	100,420


⁽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 the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates.


⁽³⁾	Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.


⁽⁴⁾	Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

NOTE ~~13.~~14. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018:


	Six Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2019			2018			2019			2018
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(40,101	)	$	(23,942	)	$	(40,101	)	$	(23,942	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	(5,136		)	(11,687		)	(960		)	(13,196		)
Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests	1			264			138			(3		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	(5,135		)	(11,423		)	(822		)	(13,199		)
Balance at end of period	$	(45,236	)	$	(35,365	)	$	(40,923	)	$	(37,141	)

Foreign currency hedge:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(376	)	$	(35	)	$	(376	)	$	(35	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $40 and $616)	(1,311		)	(5,076		)
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(1) and $(116))⁽¹⁾	21			884
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(235) and $616)							1,348			(5,493		)
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $54 and $(267))⁽¹⁾							(89		)	3,129
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	(1,290		)	(4,192		)	1,259			(2,364		)
Balance at end of period	$	(1,666	)	$	(4,227	)	$	883		$	(2,399	)

Interest rate hedge:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(934	)	$	6,528		$	(934	)	$	6,528
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $3,203 and $(562)	(12,052		)	2,113
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(47) and $154)⁽²⁾	(1,380		)	(578		)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $2,196 and $166							(8,262		)	(626		)
Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(175) and $293)⁽²⁾							(1,681		)	(1,102		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	(13,432		)	1,535			(9,943		)	(1,728		)
Balance at end of period	$	(14,366	)	$	8,063		$	(10,877	)	$	4,800

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(54,280	)	$	(42,615	)	$	(54,280	)	$	(42,615	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(217) and $(294) ⁽³⁾	672			1,096
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(304) and $(448) ⁽³⁾							887			1,688
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	672			1,096			887			1,688
Balance at end of period	$	(53,608	)	$	(41,519	)	$	(53,393	)	$	(40,927	)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period	$	(114,876	)	$	(73,048	)	$	(104,310	)	$	(75,667	)


⁽¹⁾	Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 8 for additional information.


⁽²⁾	Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the underlying debt, or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 89 for additional information.


⁽³⁾	This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 1011 for additional information.

NOTE ~~14.~~15. CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

A reconciliation of the changes in Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019									Three Months Ended September 30, 2018									Three Months Ended December 31, 2019								Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands of dollars)	Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests		Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests		Total

Balance at beginning of three-month period	$	1,310,341		$	41,737		$	1,352,078		$	1,321,677		$	40,595		$	1,362,272		$	1,298,659		$	39,924	$	1,338,583		$	1,336,341		$	42,077	$	1,378,418

Changes in common stock
Repurchase of common stock	(1,800		)	—			(1,800		)	—			—			—			(1,956		)	—		(1,956		)	—			—		—
Accrual of stock-based compensation	959			—			959			1,552			—			1,552			1,159			—		1,159			1,354			—		1,354
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes	—			—			—			(1		)	—			(1		)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	253			—			253			186			—			186			258			—		258			343			—		343

Changes in retained earnings
Net income	28,077			1,670			29,747			31,446			2,847			34,293			25,966			3,352		29,318			28,135			2,954		31,089
Cash dividends declared
Common stock	(18,879		)	—			(18,879		)	(18,727		)	—			(18,727		)	(18,768		)	—		(18,768		)	(18,726		)	—		(18,726		)
Repurchase of common stock	(5,324		)	—			(5,324		)	—			—			—			(5,830		)	—		(5,830		)	—			—		—
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(253		)	—			(253		)	(186		)	—			(186		)	(258		)	—		(258		)	(343		)	—		(343		)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(14,715		)	(124		)	(14,839		)	394			(105		)	289			10,566			139		10,705			(2,619		)	267		(2,352		)

Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	—			(3,359		)	(3,359		)	—			(1,260		)	(1,260		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,298,659		$	39,924		$	1,338,583		$	1,336,341		$	42,077		$	1,378,418		$	1,309,796		$	43,415	$	1,353,211		$	1,344,485		$	45,298	$	1,389,783


	Six Months Ended September 30, 2019									Six Months Ended September 30, 2018									Nine Months Ended December 31, 2019									Nine Months Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands of dollars)	Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total

Balance at beginning of year	$	1,337,087		$	42,791		$	1,379,878		$	1,342,429		$	42,873		$	1,385,302		$	1,337,087		$	42,791		$	1,379,878		$	1,342,429		$	42,873		$	1,385,302

Changes in common stock
Repurchase of common stock	(2,974		)	—			(2,974		)	(397		)	—			(397		)	(4,930		)	—			(4,930		)	(397		)	—			(397		)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	3,687			—			3,687			5,750			—			5,750			4,846			—			4,846			7,104			—			7,104
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes	(2,883		)	—			(2,883		)	(2,657		)	—			(2,657		)	(2,883		)	—			(2,883		)	(2,657		)	—			(2,657		)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	497			—			497			371			—			371			755			—			755			714			—			714

Changes in retained earnings
Net income	30,149			493			30,642			44,625			728			45,353			56,115			3,845			59,960			72,760			3,682			76,442
Cash dividends declared
Common stock	(37,858		)	—			(37,858		)	(37,445		)	—			(37,445		)	(56,626		)	—			(56,626		)	(56,171		)	—			(56,171		)
Repurchase of common stock	(9,364		)	—			(9,364		)	(1,046		)	—			(1,046		)	(15,194		)	—			(15,194		)	(1,046		)	—			(1,046		)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(497		)	—			(497		)	(371		)	—			(371		)	(755		)	—			(755		)	(714		)	—			(714		)
Adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 eliminating deferred income taxes on unrecognized gains on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory	—			—			—			(1,934		)	—			(1,934		)	—			—			—			(1,934		)	—			(1,934		)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,185		)	(1		)	(19,186		)	(12,984		)	(264		)	(13,248		)	(8,619		)	138			(8,481		)	(15,603		)	3			(15,600		)

Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	—			(3,359		)	(3,359		)	—			(1,260		)	(1,260		)	—			(3,359		)	(3,359		)	—			(1,260		)	(1,260		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,298,659		$	39,924		$	1,338,583		$	1,336,341		$	42,077		$	1,378,418		$	1,309,796		$	43,415		$	1,353,211		$	1,344,485		$	45,298		$	1,389,783

NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On January 1, 2020 the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of FruitSmart, an independent specialty fruit and vegetable ingredient processor serving global markets, for approximately $80 million in cash and contingent consideration payments totaling $25 million, based on the FruitSmart operations achieving certain financial targets in calendar years 2020 and 2021.

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

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, these statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, results of operation, and future business plans, operations, opportunities, and prospects. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in reports to shareholders. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “predict,” “estimate,” and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: integration of FruitSmart and the impact of the FruitSmart acquisition on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; reliance on a few large customers; our ability to maintain effective information systems and safeguard confidential information; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; costs incurred in providing these

products and services; timing of shipments to customers; changes in market structure; government regulation; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in exchange rates and interest rates; impacts of regulation and litigation on our customers; industry-specific risks related to our food ingredient business; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying our critical accounting policies; the promulgation and adoption of new accounting standards; new government regulations and interpretation of existing standards and regulations; and general economic, political, market, and weather conditions. For a further description of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this report. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

~~The~~After significant seasonal working capital investment in the first ~~six months~~half of the fiscal year, we generally see inventory levels and other working capital items decrease in the second half of our fiscal year ~~is usually a period~~as crops in Africa, South America, and North America are being shipped. We saw the beginning of ~~significant~~the seasonal contraction in our working capital ~~investment~~requirements by the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. Cash flow utilized by our operations decreased, and cash balances increased in ~~both Africa and South America as crops are delivered by farmers.~~the three months ended December 31, 2019. We funded our working capital needs in the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, using a combination of cash on hand, short-term borrowings, customer advances, and operating cash flows. We expect shipments to continue to be weighted to the second half of ~~the~~ fiscal ~~year.~~year 2020 with significant shipments expected in our fourth fiscal quarter.

Our liquidity and capital resource requirements are predominantly short term in nature and relate to working capital for tobacco crop purchases. Working capital needs are seasonal within each geographic region. The geographic dispersion and the timing of working capital needs permit us to predict our general level of cash requirements, although crop size, prices paid to farmers, shipment and delivery timing, and currency fluctuations affect requirements each year. Peak working capital requirements are generally reached during the first and second fiscal quarters. Each geographic area follows a cycle of buying, processing, and shipping tobacco, and in many regions, we also provide agricultural materials to farmers during the growing season. The timing of the elements of each cycle is influenced by such factors as local weather conditions and individual customer shipping requirements, which may change the level or the duration of crop financing. Despite a predominance of short-term needs, we maintain a portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk. We also periodically have large cash balances that we utilize to meet our working capital requirements.

Operating Activities

We used ~~$279.8~~$172.9 million in net cash flows to fund our operations during the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019. That amount was ~~$66.8~~$75.6 million higher than during the same period last fiscal year, largely due to the timing of crop purchases and shipments. Tobacco inventory levels increased by ~~$289.0~~$308.1 million from March 31, 2019 levels to ~~$918.6~~$937.7 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, on seasonal leaf purchases. Tobacco inventory levels were ~~$16.8~~$70.5 million ~~below September 30,~~above December 31, 2018 ~~levels.~~levels, in part due to later customer mandated shipment timing. We generally do not purchase material quantities of tobacco on a speculative basis. However, when we contract directly with farmers, we are often obligated to buy all stalk positions, which may contain less marketable leaf styles. At ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, our uncommitted inventories were ~~$186.7~~$197.7 million, or about ~~20%~~21% of total tobacco inventory, compared to $128.0 million, or about 20% of our March 31, 2019 inventory, and ~~$104.4~~$122.9 million, or about ~~11%~~14% of our ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018 inventory. Our uncommitted inventory levels at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019,

~~remain within~~ are slightly above our target range. The level of these uncommitted inventory percentages is influenced by timing of farmer deliveries of new crops, as well as the receipt of customer orders.

Our balance sheet accounts reflected seasonal patterns in the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, on deliveries of crops by farmers in South America, Africa, and North America. Cash and cash equivalent and accounts receivable balances decreased by ~~$244.4~~$232.8 million and ~~$30.3~~$96.1 million, respectively, from March 31, 2019 levels, as we used cash, including collections on receivables, to fund seasonal working capital needs. Advances to suppliers were $75.8 million at September 30, 2019, a reduction of $31.0 million from March 31, 2019 as crops were delivered in payment of those balances, net of new advances on current crops. Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates and notesNotes payable and overdrafts were up ~~$51.9~~$38.6 million ~~and $101.3 million, respectively,~~ from March 31, 2019 levels, on seasonal increases.

Accounts receivable and accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates were down $64.6 million and $52.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019, compared to December 31, 2018, mainly on shipment timing. Advances to suppliers ~~of $75.8~~increased by $21.1 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, ~~increased by $22.0 million~~ compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, primarily on a shift from bank loan guarantees to more direct lending to tobacco growers in Brazil. ~~Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates were down $24.4 million at September 30, 2019, compared to September 30, 2018, mainly on lower sales prices.~~ Customer advances and deposits were down ~~$38.6~~$48.1 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, largely on a decline in advances of deposits by certain customers.

Notes payable and overdrafts were also down $36.7 million at December 31, 2019, compared to December 31, 2018, on lower utilization of local credit lines this fiscal year.

Investing Activities

Our capital allocation strategy focuses on four strategic priorities: strengthening and investing ~~for growth~~ in our leaf tobacco business; increasing our strong dividend; exploring growth opportunities in ~~adjacent industries and markets that utilize our assets and capabilities;~~non-tobacco businesses; and returning excess capital to our shareholders. In deciding where to invest capital resources, we look for opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return, leverage our assets and expertise, and enhance our farmer base. Our capital expenditures are generally limited to those that add value, replace or maintain equipment, increase efficiency, or position us for future growth. During the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, we invested about ~~$13.3~~$21.7 million and ~~$20.0~~$28.4 million, respectively, in our property, plant and equipment. Depreciation expense was approximately ~~$18.2~~$27.5 million and ~~$18.4~~$27.7 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Generally, our capital spending on maintenance projects is at a level below depreciation expense in order to maintain strong cash flow. In addition, from time to time, we undertake projects that require capital expenditures when we identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, add value for our customers, and position ourselves for future growth. As part of our capital allocation strategy, we have been exploring growth opportunities in non-tobacco businesses. On January 3, 2020, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of FruitSmart, Inc. (“FruitSmart”) for approximately $80 million, with potential earnout payments totaling $25 million based on FruitSmart achieving certain financial targets in calendar years 2020 and 2021. We financed the acquisition using our committed revolving credit facility and cash on hand. We also currently expect to spend approximately $50 to $60 million over the next twelve months on other capital projects to grow and improve our businesses as well as on maintenance of our facilities. Typically, our capital expenditures for maintenance projects are less than $30 million per fiscal year.

Our Board of Directors approved our current share repurchase program in November 2017, and in May 2019, extended its expiration to November 15, 2020. The program authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of our common stock. Under the current authorization, we may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Repurchases of shares under the repurchase program may vary based on management discretion, as well as changes in cash flow generation and availability. During the three months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, we purchased ~~138,146~~149,556 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of ~~$7.1~~$7.8 million (average price per share of ~~$51.57)~~$52.06). As of ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, approximately ~~24.8~~24.7 million shares of our common stock were outstanding and our available authorization under our current share repurchase program was ~~$77.2~~$69.5 million.

Financing Activities

We consider the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including any current portion), and customer advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also consider our net debt plus shareholders' equity to be our net capitalization. Net debt as a percentage of net capitalization was approximately ~~27%~~24% at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, flat with the ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018 level, and up from the March 31, 2019 level of approximately 10%. As of ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, we had ~~$53.2~~$64.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, our short-term debt totaled ~~$155.4~~$92.6 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants of our debt agreements, which require us to maintain certain levels of tangible net worth and observe restrictions on debt levels.

As of ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, we had ~~$355~~$430 million available under a committed revolving credit facility that will mature in December 2023, and we had about ~~$184~~$177 million in unused, uncommitted credit lines. We also maintain an effective, undenominated universal shelf registration that provides for potential future issuance of additional debt or equity securities. We have no long-term debt maturing in fiscal year 2020. Our seasonal working capital requirements typically increase significantly between March and September and decline after mid-year. Available capital resources from our cash balances, committed credit facility, and uncommitted

credit lines, subsequent to funding our FruitSmart acquisition, exceed our normal working capital needs and currently anticipated capital expenditure requirements over the next twelve months.

Derivatives

From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. At ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the fair value of our outstanding interest rate swap agreements was a liability of about ~~$22~~$16.0 million, and the notional amount swapped was $370 million. We entered into these agreements to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on our variable-rate term loans. Under the swap agreements we receive variable rate interest and pay fixed rate interest. The swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

We also use derivative instruments from time to time to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, primarily related to forecast purchases of tobacco, related processing costs, and crop input sales in Brazil and Mozambique, as well as our net monetary balance sheet exposures in local currency there. We generally account for our hedges of forecast tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. At ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the fair value of our open hedges was a net ~~liability~~asset of about ~~$0.8~~$1.4 million. We had forward and option contracts outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was a net liability of about ~~$0.5~~$0.8 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019.

Results of Operations

Amounts described as net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per diluted share in the following discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. The total for segment operating income (loss) referred to in the discussion below is a non-GAAP financial measure. This measure is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), operating income (loss), 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. We have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) in Note ~~12.~~13. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1. We evaluate our segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe this measure, which excludes these items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, provides investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends.

Net income for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020, which~~nine months ended ~~on September 30,~~December 31, 2019, was ~~$30.1~~$56.1 million, or ~~$1.19~~$2.23 per diluted share, compared with ~~$44.6~~$72.8 million, or ~~$1.76~~$2.87 per diluted share, for the same period of the prior fiscal year. ~~Included in the results for both periods were~~Excluding certain non-recurring ~~income tax~~ items, detailed in Other Items below, which reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.11 and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.30 for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. Excluding those non-recurring items, net income and diluted earnings per share declined by ~~$3.9~~$20.0 million and ~~$0.16,~~$0.78, respectively, for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020~~nine months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the ~~first half~~same period of ~~fiscal year 2019.~~the prior year. Operating income of ~~$50.7~~$94.8 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, decreased by ~~$12.0~~$5.6 million, compared to operating income of ~~$62.7~~$100.4 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018.

For the ~~second~~third fiscal quarter, ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, net income was ~~$28.1~~$26.0 million, or ~~$1.11~~$1.04 per diluted share, compared with net income of ~~$31.4~~$28.1 million, or ~~$1.24~~$1.11 per diluted share, for the prior year’s ~~second~~third fiscal quarter. Excluding certain non-recurring items, detailed in Other Items below, net income and diluted earnings per share declined by $17.0 million and $0.65, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Operating income for the ~~second~~third quarter of fiscal year 2020 ~~decreased~~increased to ~~$43.2~~$44.1 million compared with ~~$54.4~~$37.7 million for the three months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018.

Segment operating income was ~~$53.1~~$97.1 million for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020,~~nine months ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of ~~$9.6~~$28.2 million, and for the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, was ~~$45.5~~$44.0 million, a decrease of ~~$8.2~~$18.6 million, both compared to the same periods last fiscal year. Results reflected earnings declines in the North America and Other Regions segments, partially offset by earnings improvements in the Other Tobacco Operations segment for the ~~six~~nine months ~~and quarter~~ ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, both compared to the same ~~periods~~period in the prior fiscal year. For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, results declined for all segments compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018. Consolidated revenues decreased by ~~$146.5~~$277.5 million to ~~$772.8 million~~$1.3 billion for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020,~~nine months ended December 31, 2019, and by ~~$63.7~~$131.1 million to ~~$475.9~~$505.0 million for the three months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2019, on lower sales volumes and prices.

Flue-cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations

Other Regions

Operating income for the Other Regions segment decreased by ~~$14.8~~$28.7 million to ~~$28.7~~$68.1 million for the ~~six~~nine months and by ~~$13.0~~$13.9 million to ~~$32.5~~$39.4 million for the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared with the same periods for fiscal year 2019. In both periods, volumes decreased in Africa, mainly from lower carryover crop sales and ~~delayed shipments.~~later customer mandated shipment timing. In Brazil, sales volumes

were up in the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, on higher carryover sales and ~~up in both the six months and quarter ended September 30, 2019, on~~ earlier current crop shipments, but down in the quarter ended December 31, 2019, on lower current crop shipments, both compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year. ~~In both periods,~~Results for Europe were down in the ~~product mix was less favorable in Brazil~~nine months and quarter ended December 31, 2019, on lower processing and sales volumes, compared to the same periods in the prior ~~fiscal~~ year. Results for Asia ~~improved~~were up for the ~~quarter and six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, on higher trading volumes, ~~largely from China.~~but declined in the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were lower for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, largely on favorable foreign currency comparisons and lower customer claim costs partially offset by lower net recoveries on advances to suppliers, compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. For the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, selling, general, and administrative costs were ~~higher~~lower than those in the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, on ~~lower net recoveries on advances to suppliers and unfavorable~~favorable currency comparisons, mainly in Mozambique and Brazil. Revenues for the Other

Regions segment of ~~$557.8~~$944.1 million for the ~~six~~nine months and ~~$355.8~~$386.3 million for the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, were down ~~$48.2~~$145.1 million and ~~$42.3~~$96.9 million, respectively, compared to the same period last year, on lower volumes and sales prices.

North America

Operating income for the North America segment of ~~$6.4~~$6.7 million for the ~~six~~nine months ~~and $5.5 million for the quarter~~ ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, was down by ~~$10.9~~$13.7 million, ~~and $2.8 million, respectively,~~ compared to the same ~~periods~~period for the prior fiscal year, ~~mainly~~primarily on significantly lower carryover crop sales volumes. In the first half of fiscal year 2019, carryover crop sales volumes were higher on shipments that had been delayed due to reduced transportation availability in the United States. In addition, in the ~~first half and second quarter of fiscal year 2020,~~nine months ended December 31, 2019, carryover crop sales volumes were down on ~~fewer~~reduced sales of U.S. burley tobaccos and current crop sales volumes were down in Mexico and Guatemala due to ~~shipment timing~~lower sales volumes and smaller crop sizes, compared to the same ~~periods~~period in fiscal year 2019. Operating income for the North America segment of $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, was down by $2.8 million, compared to the same period for the prior fiscal year, mainly on lower sales volumes in Guatemala and lower sales and processing volumes in the United States. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the North America segment were ~~relatively~~down for the nine months, largely on favorable currency comparisons in Mexico, and flat for ~~both~~ the ~~six months and~~ quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year. Revenues for this segment decreased, by ~~$98.1~~$126.7 million to ~~$85.3~~$134.6 million for the ~~six~~nine months, and by ~~$10.2~~$28.6 million to ~~$57.6~~$49.4 million for the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year, on the lower ~~carryover crop~~volumes and sales ~~volumes, partly offset in the quarter by a better product mix.~~prices.

Other Tobacco Operations

The Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income of ~~$18.0~~$22.3 million increased by $14.2 million for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020 reflected an increase of $16.1 million,~~nine months ended December 31, 2019, compared with ~~operating income of $1.9 million for this segment in~~ the same period last fiscal year. For the quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, the segment’s operating income of ~~$7.5~~$4.3 million declined by $1.9 million compared to ~~an operating loss of $0.1 million for~~ the same period ~~for the prior fiscal~~last year. In both periods, results for our dark tobacco operations ~~were~~improved from higher ~~on improved performance from our~~ wrapper ~~tobacco operations~~sales volumes, influenced in ~~Indonesia on higher volumes and margins.~~part by earlier shipment timing in the third fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to the previous fiscal year. Results for our oriental joint venture were updown for the ~~six~~nine months and quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year, ~~on a more favorable~~primarily from lower sales ~~mix~~volumes, due in part to some customer shipments delayed into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, as well as unfavorable currency remeasurement and ~~foreign currency comparisons.~~exchange variances in both periods. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the segment were down in both the ~~first half~~nine months and ~~second~~third fiscal quarter ~~of fiscal year 2020~~ended December 31, 2019 compared with those periods in the prior fiscal year, onmostly from favorable ~~foreign currency~~ comparisons ~~mainly~~to higher value-added tax charges in ~~Indonesia.~~the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Revenues for the segment decreased by ~~$0.2~~$5.7 million to ~~$130.0~~$199.2 million for the ~~first half,~~nine months, and by ~~$11.2~~$5.5 million to ~~$62.6~~$69.4 million for the ~~second~~third quarter ended December 31, 2019, as higher dark tobacco operations revenues were more than offset by lower sales volumes from the timing of ~~fiscal year 2020, largely as a result~~shipments of ~~product mix.~~oriental tobaccos into the United States.

Other Items

Cost of goods sold in the ~~six~~nine months and quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, decreased by ~~17%~~19% and ~~14%~~21% to ~~$618.2 million~~$1.0 billion and ~~$379.9~~$412.1 million, respectively, both compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year, consistent with ~~the~~ similar percentage decreases in revenues. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020~~nine months and quarter ended December 31, 2019 decreased by ~~$5.0~~$14.4 million to ~~$104.0~~$152.8 million, ~~mainly driven~~and by $9.4 million to $48.9 million, respectively. Reductions in both periods reflected positive foreign currency remeasurement and exchange variances ~~primarily in Indonesia and~~as well as lower value-added tax charges, while the ~~Philippines,~~nine-month comparison also benefitted from better customer claim experience and lower ~~customer claim~~incentive compensation costs, ~~partially~~ offset in part by lower net recoveries on advances to suppliers compared ~~with the same period in the prior year. Selling, general, and administrative costs were up $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared~~ to the same period in the prior ~~year, on higher legal and professional expenses and lower net recoveries on advances to suppliers.~~fiscal year.

The following tables set forth certain non-recurring items included in reported results:



Adjusted Operating Income
	Three Months Ended December 31,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018		2019		2018
As Reported: Consolidated operating income	$	44.1	$	37.7	$	94.8	$	100.4
FruitSmart acquisition transaction costs⁽¹⁾	0.9		—		1.9		—
Restructuring and impairment costs⁽²⁾	—		19.4		—		19.5
Adjusted operating income	$	45.0	$	57.1	$	96.7	$	119.9


Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Three Months Ended December 31,				Nine Months Ended December 31,
(in millions and reported net of income taxes)	2019		2018		2019		2018
As Reported: Net income available to Universal Corporation	$	26.0	$	28.1	$	56.1	$	72.8
FruitSmart acquisition transaction costs⁽¹⁾	0.9		—		1.9		—
Restructuring and impairment costs⁽²⁾	—		15.8		—		15.8
Unresolved income tax matter for a foreign subsidiary	—		—		2.8		—
Income tax benefit from dividend withholding tax liability reversal⁽³⁾	—		—		—		(7.8		)
Adjusted Net income available to Universal Corporation	$	26.9	$	43.9	$	60.8	$	80.8

Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	1.08	$	1.73	$	2.41	$	3.19


⁽¹⁾	The Company incurred legal and professional fees associated with the acquisition of FruitSmart (effective January 1, 2020). These costs are not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.


⁽²⁾	In the third quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company recognized a restructuring and impairment charge related to the Company's operations in Tanzania.


⁽³⁾	During fiscal year 2019, the Company reversed a portion of a liability previously recorded for dividend withholding taxes on the cumulative retained earnings of a foreign subsidiary.

The Company’s consolidated effective tax rates for the ~~six~~nine months and quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, were approximately ~~34%~~30% and ~~28%~~26%, respectively. ~~For~~Income tax expense for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019 ~~the Company’s income tax expense~~ included a $2.8 million net tax accrual ($0.11 per diluted share) for an unresolved tax matter at a foreign subsidiary. Without the ~~accrual~~effect of this item, the consolidated effective tax rate for the ~~unresolved tax matter, income taxes for the six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019, would have been ~~expense of approximately $13.0 million, or a~~27%.

The Company’s consolidated effective tax ~~rate of approximately 28%. For~~rates for the ~~six~~nine months and quarter ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, ~~the Company’s income~~were approximately 19% and 20%, respectively. Income tax expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2018 included a $7.8 million ($0.30 per diluted share) ~~and a $0.9 million ($0.03 per diluted share)~~ benefit ~~respectively,~~ from reversing a portion of a liability previously recorded for dividend withholding taxes on the cumulative retained earnings of a foreign subsidiary.

Without the ~~dividend withholding~~effect of this item, the consolidated effective tax ~~reversal, income taxes~~rate for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2018, would have been ~~an expense of approximately $17.8 million, or a consolidated~~27%.

The effective tax ~~rate~~rates for all periods include the benefit of ~~approximately 32%.~~various tax planning opportunities, as well as the net effect of items accounted for on a discrete basis in the respective reporting periods.

General Overview

~~Large carryover crop sales, particularly in North America and Africa, benefited our~~Consistent with results ~~in fiscal year 2019, while in fiscal year 2020, reduced sales prices, softer demand, and larger flue-cured crops have put pressure on margins. All of these factors have created difficult comparisons~~reported for the first half of ~~the~~our current fiscal year, results through the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 continue to reflect unfavorable variances to the same period ~~last year. Looking forward,~~ in fiscal year 2019, when we benefited from large carryover crop sales volumes, mainly in North America and Africa. Flue-cured oversupply conditions this year ~~like in prior fiscal years, our~~have also created a selective market environment that has pressured volumes and ~~results will be heavily weighted to~~margins. In addition, customer mandated shipping instructions in the second half of ~~the fiscal year. During this~~ fiscal year ~~we have also been actively positioning~~2020 are heavily weighted to our ~~Company for future success with investment projects in our tobacco business and engaging with targets in our investment pipeline in adjacent industries.~~fourth quarter.

AsWe have also remained focused on solidifying our position as the leading global leaf tobacco ~~supplier and in line with our capital allocation strategy, we~~supplier. We continue to ~~make disciplined investments~~see and develop opportunities in our leaf tobacco business ~~where we see opportunities~~ to ~~grow~~gain market share and ~~strengthen that business. We have recently agreed~~increase operating efficiencies whether it be by realignment of processing capacity, such as recent steps taken in ~~principle with one~~Malawi; optimization of our major customers to provide additional sustainable tobacco supply and value-added services in the Philippines. This arrangement will provide further supply chain efficiencies, help sustain and expand our farmer base, and support our customer’s long-term supply needs.

We also continue, in a disciplined and deliberate manner, to actively engage with potential targets in our pipeline for growth opportunities outside of leaf tobacco in adjacent industries and markets that we believe will utilize our assets and capabilities and deliver value to our shareholders. We consider adjacencies to be industries and markets where we can leverage our strengths such as country knowledge, agricultural expertise, and complex grower management and logistic network management. As we look to adjacent industries and explore growth opportunities within tobacco, we are dedicated to remaining the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and buildingsourcing footprint; or by focusing on our ~~strong history.~~leadership in supplying sustainable, compliant crops.

At the same time, ~~that~~ we ~~have been making investments~~are progressing in our ~~leaf tobacco business~~previously announced plans to invest in non-tobacco growth opportunities and ~~progress on our investment pipeline in adjacent industries, we have also returned value to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. In~~announced the ~~first half of fiscal year 2020, we returned just over $50 million to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. As we enter the second half~~completion of our ~~fiscal year, we~~first such acquisition, FruitSmart, Inc. (“FruitSmart”), in early January 2020. We are very excited about our ~~opportunities~~initial non-tobacco acquisition, offering potential for growth in adjacent markets. We believe that FruitSmart, as an established value-added fruit and vegetable ingredient processor with a business-to-business customer base in an agricultural niche market, is a good fit for our company. As we have stated, FruitSmart represents a foundational step in our building a broader agri-products service platform. We continue to work on our pipeline and are working to provide resources necessary to develop this new ~~growth investments and remain focused on delivering~~segment of our business in support of our long-term shareholder value ~~to our shareholders.~~objectives.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Currency

The international leaf tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars, thereby limiting foreign exchange risk to that which is related to leaf purchase and production costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country. We also provide farmer advances that are directly related to leaf purchases and are denominated in the local currency. Any currency gains or losses on those advances are usually offset by decreases or increases in the cost of tobacco, which is priced in the local currency. However, the effect of the offset may not occur until a subsequent quarter or fiscal year. Most of our tobacco operations are accounted for using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Because there are no forward foreign exchange markets in many of our major countries of tobacco origin, we often manage our foreign exchange risk by matching funding for inventory purchases with the currency of sale, which is usually the U.S. dollar, and by minimizing our net local currency monetary position in individual countries. We are vulnerable to currency remeasurement gains and losses to the extent that monetary assets and liabilities denominated in local currency do not offset each other. In addition to foreign exchange gains and losses, we are exposed to changes in the cost of tobacco due to changes in the value of the local currency in relation to the U.S. dollar. We routinely enter forward currency exchange contracts to hedge against the effects of currency movements on purchases of tobacco to reduce the volatility of costs. In addition, from time-to-time we enter forward contracts to hedge balance sheet exposures.

In certain tobacco markets that are primarily domestic, we use the local currency as the functional currency. Examples of these markets are Poland and the Philippines. In other markets, such as Western Europe, where export sales have been primarily in local currencies, we also use the local currency as the functional currency. In each case, reported earnings are affected by the translation of the local currency into the U.S. dollar.

Interest Rates

We generally use both fixed and floating interest rate debt to finance our operations. Changes in market interest rates expose us to changes in cash flows for floating rate instruments and to changes in fair value for fixed-rate instruments. We normally maintain a proportion of our debt in both variable and fixed interest rates to manage this exposure, and from time to time we may enter hedge agreements to swap the interest rates. In addition, our customers may pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased on order, which could mitigate a portion of the floating interest rate exposure. We also periodically have large cash balances and may receive deposits from customers, both of which we use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, reducing our financing needs. Excluding our bank term loans which were converted to fixed-rate borrowings with interest rate swaps in February 2019, debt carried at variable interest rates was approximately ~~$155~~$93 million at ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019. Although a hypothetical 1% change in short-term interest rates would result in a change in annual interest expense of approximately ~~$1.6~~$0.9 million, that amount would be at least partially mitigated by changes in charges to customers.

Derivatives Policies

Hedging interest rate exposure using swaps and hedging foreign exchange exposure using forward contracts are specifically contemplated to manage risk in keeping with management's policies. We may use derivative instruments, such as swaps, forwards, or futures, which are based directly or indirectly upon interest rates and currencies to manage and reduce the risks inherent in interest rate and currency fluctuations. When we use foreign currency derivatives to mitigate our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, we may choose not to designate them as hedges for accounting purposes, which may result in the effects of the derivatives being recognized in our earnings in periods different from the items that created the exposure.

We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk-sensitive instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction specific so that a specific debt instrument, forecast purchase, contract, or invoice determines the amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge. We routinely review counterparty risk as part of our derivative program.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (our Principal Financial Officer), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of other members of management, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Tanzania Fair Competition Commission Proceeding

In June 2012, our Tanzanian subsidiary, Tanzania Leaf Tobacco Company Ltd. (“TLTC”), entered into a two crop-year supply agreement for unprocessed “green” tobacco with a newly-formed Tanzanian subsidiary of one of our major customers. The agreement involved green tobacco purchases from four of the approximately 400 grower cooperatives in Tanzania, which allowed the customer and its Tanzanian subsidiary on a small test basis to evaluate whether it would be a viable alternative for the customer to establish its own vertically integrated supply operations in that market. Prior to that time, the customer’s subsidiary did not exist, and it only purchased processed Tanzanian tobacco from tobacco dealers in specified amounts and only for certain grades and stalk positions. In contrast, the agreement with TLTC required the customer’s subsidiary to purchase green tobacco on a “run of crop” basis. “Run of crop” requires the purchase of all green tobacco produced on the tobacco plant, regardless of grade or stalk position. The agreement, therefore, enabled the customer’s subsidiary on a small test basis to evaluate the quality of green tobacco purchased on a “run of crop” basis and to assess how such tobacco would be suited to the customer's tobacco requirements. The customer unilaterally elected to establish its own vertically integrated supply operations in Tanzania after the expiration of the agreement, and its subsidiary began purchasing green tobacco directly from Tanzanian grower cooperatives during the second crop year thereafter.

Despite the pro-competitive object and effect of the agreement between TLTC and the customer’s subsidiary, in October 2016, the Tanzania Fair Competition Commission (“FCC”) notified TLTC and the customer’s subsidiary that it reviewed the agreement and provisionally concluded that it infringed Tanzania antitrust law by having the object and effect of preventing competition in the purchase of unprocessed green tobacco in the area in which the four grower cooperatives were located. The FCC also provisionally concluded that our U.S. subsidiary, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. (“ULT”), and additional subsidiaries of the customer, were jointly and severally liable for the actions of TLTC and the customer’s Tanzanian subsidiary, respectively. TLTC and ULT submitted a written response contesting the FCC’s allegations, and on February 27, 2018, the FCC issued its decision to TLTC and ULT which confirmed its initial conclusion that the agreement infringed Tanzanian antitrust law. In its decision, the FCC concluded incorrectly that the parties to the agreement unfairly benefited in the amount of $105 thousand. The FCC arbitrarily assessed a fine jointly against TLTC and ULT of approximately $197 million and a fine jointly against the customer’s Tanzanian subsidiary and another subsidiary of the customer exceeding $1 billion.

TLTC and ULT have worked closely with expert legal advisors and economists on this matter. Based on these engagements and consultations, we firmly believe the FCC’s allegations are frivolous and clearly without merit or support from the facts, law or economic analysis. We further believe the FCC’s proceedings were rife with irregularities and did not comply with applicable legal and regulatory procedures with respect to this matter, including failing to establish jurisdiction over ULT or to offer a legal justification for including ULT in the proceeding. To the contrary, we believe the facts, law and economic analysis clearly support the legality and pro-competitive nature of the agreement and support a proper conclusion that there was no infringement of Tanzania antitrust law, and the agreement had no negative impact on the Tanzania tobacco market. We further believe the FCC’s proposed fine is ludicrous, unwarranted and contrary to Tanzania law. TLTC and ULT immediately appealed the FCC findings to the Tanzania Fair Competition Tribunal, which immediately stayed the execution of any FCC fines. We are unable to predict how long the appeal process will take; however, we believe it could last several years. At this time, we believe that the likelihood of incurring any material liability in this matter is remote, and no amount has been recorded.

Other Legal Matters

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

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

As of the date of this report, there are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2019 (the "2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K"). In evaluating our risks, readers should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results, in addition to the other information set forth in this report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth our repurchases of shares of our common stock during the three-month period ended ~~September 30,~~December 31, 2019:

Period ⁽¹⁾
Total Number of Shares Repurchased
Average Price Paid Per Share ⁽²⁾

Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs ⁽³⁾

Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽³⁾

July 1-31, 2019 —
$ —
—
$ 84,372,012
August 1-31, 2019 89,074
51.86
89,074
79,753,015
September 1-30, 2019 49,072
51.05
49,072
77,247,974
Total 138,146
$ 51.57
138,146
$ 77,247,974



Period ⁽¹⁾	Total Number of Shares Repurchased	Average Price Paid Per Share ⁽²⁾		Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs ⁽³⁾	Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽³⁾

October 1-31, 2019	38,767	$	53.19	38,767	$	75,186,145
November 1-30, 2019	71,849	51.31		71,849	71,499,805
December 1-31, 2019	38,940	52.34		38,940	69,461,626
Total	149,556	$	52.06	149,556	$	69,461,626


⁽¹⁾	Repurchases are based on the date the shares were traded. This presentation differs from the consolidated statement of cash flows, where the cost of share repurchases is based on the date the transactions were settled.


⁽²⁾	Amounts listed for average price paid per share include broker commissions paid in the transactions.

⁽³⁾

A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 7, 2017 and further extended on May 29, 2019. This stock repurchase plan authorized the purchase of up to $100 million in common and/or preferred stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors. This stock repurchase program will expire on the earlier of November 15, 2020, or when we have exhausted the funds authorized for the program.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



2.1		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2019, by and among Universal Corporation, FruitSmart, Inc., the Sellers named therein and James P. Early, as the Sellers’ Representative (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 20, 2019, File No. 001-00652).

3.1		Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*

101		Interactive Data File (submitted electronically herewith).*

		101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this ~~Annual~~Quarterly Report on Form ~~10-K~~10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section and shall not be part of any registration or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

__________

*Filed herewith

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:	~~November 12, 2019~~February 4, 2020	UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
		(Registrant)

		/s/ Johan C. Kroner
		Johan C. Kroner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

		/s/ Scott J. Bleicher
		Scott J. Bleicher, Vice President and Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

Exhibit Index



Exhibit No.		Description

2.1		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2019, by and among Universal Corporation, FruitSmart, Inc., the Sellers named therein and James P. Early, as the Sellers’ Representative (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 20, 2019, File No. 001-00652).

3.1		Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*

101		Interactive Data Files (submitted electronically herewith)*

		101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this ~~Annual~~Quarterly Report on Form ~~10-K~~10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section and shall not be part of any registration or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

__________

*Filed herewith

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