Universal Corp. reported earnings results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported net earnings available to common shareholders of the company of $41.98 million, or $1.54 earnings per diluted share compared to $49.37 million, or $1.78 earnings per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2008. Sales and other operating revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $661.2 million, compared to $699.14 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. For the first nine months, net earnings available to common shareholders of the company were $130.82 million, or $4.78 earnings per diluted share, compared to $104.84 million, or $3.78 earnings per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Sales and other operating revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 were $1.92 billion, compared to $1.99 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

Universal Corp. announced that the company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on the common shares of the company, payable on May 10, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2010. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $16.875 per share on the Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2010.

Universal Corp. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported income before income taxes and other items of $71,420,000, net income of $48,474,000, net income attributable to the company of $45,696,000 and operating income of $68,945,000 compared to income before income taxes and other items of $71,431,000, net income of $52,793,000, net income attributable to the company of $53,084,000 and operating income of $77,412,000 for the same period last year. For the nine months, the company reported income before income taxes and other items of $212,250,000, net income of $146,950,000, net income attributable to the company of $141,956,000 and operating income of $214,582,000 compared to income before income taxes and other items of $171,934,000, net income of $119,900,000, net income attributable to the company of $115,977,000 and operating income of $186,794,000 for the same period last year. The company reported net cash provided by operating activities of $54,810,000, purchase of property, plant and equipment of $42,923,000 compared to net cash used for operating activities of $6,803,000, purchase of property, plant and equipment of $28,900,000 for the same period last year. The companys Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of forty-seven cents ($0.47) per share on the common shares of the company, payable on May 10, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2010. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $16.875 per share on the Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series B Preferred Stock), payable on March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. eastern time on March 1, 2010.