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Universal Corporation

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FY2007 Annual Report · Universal Corporation
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2007 Universal Corporation

ANNUAL REPORT

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Universal Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, was founded in 1918. The Company, 
through its subsidiaries and affi liates, is one of the world’s leading leaf tobacco merchants and processors. 
The Company previously had operations in lumber and building products and in agri-products, but sold 
most of those businesses in fi scal year 2007. The non-tobacco businesses are reported as discontinued 
operations in the accompanying fi nancial statements. Universal conducts business in more than 35 
countries and employs over 25,000 permanent and seasonal workers. Effective in 2004, the Company 
changed its fi scal year end from June 30 to March 31. Financial results for 2004 are for the nine-month 
transition year ended March 31, 2004.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

Universal Corporation

S & P Midcap 400 Index

Peer Group Index

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON COMMON STOCK

At June 30

At March 31

 2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Universal Corporation

S & P Midcap 400

Peer Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

119.76

99.29

107.97

147.53

125.85

110.54

137.32

138.97

102.14

114.75

169.02

80.97

200.07

183.30

153.77

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2007

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2006

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2005

in thousands, except per share data

OPERATIONS

Sales and other operating revenues

$   2,007,272

$   1,781,312

$   1,667,193

Operating income

Income (loss) from continuing operations 

Net income

163,591

80,411

44,352

59,264
(          )
  2,973 

7,940

150,232

68,556

96,013

PER COMMON SHARE

Income (loss) from continuing operations — diluted

$            2.52

(        )
$            0.12

$            2.66

Net income — diluted

Dividends declared

Indicated 12-month dividend rate

Market price at year-end

AT YEAR END

Working capital

Shareholders’ equity

1.13

1.74

1.76

61.35

0.31

1.70

1.72

36.77

3.73

1.62

1.68

45.77

$      852,391

$      877,051

$      819,047

1,030,733

964,871

822,388

Income (Loss) From Continuing    
Operations Per Diluted Share

Return on Beginning Equity

Stock Price

in dollars

percent

in dollars at end of fi scal year

7
4
.
3

*
6
3
.
6 3
6
.
2

2
5
.
2

8
.
8
1

*
1
.
6
1

6
.
2
1

5
3
.
1
6

2
8
.
0
5

7
7
.
5
4

0
3
.
2
4

7
7
.
6
3

)

2
1
.
0

(

1
.
3

0
.
1

07

06

05

04

03

07

06

05

04

03

07

06

05

04

03

* Nine-month transition year

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Common Stock for the last 
fi ve fi scal years with the cumulative total return for the same period of the Standard & Poor’s Midcap 
400 Stock Index and the peer group index. The peer group represents Alliance One International, Inc.
Standard Commercial Corporation and DIMON Incorporated merged to form Alliance One International, 
Inc. effective May 13, 2005. In prior years, the Company included Standard Commercial Corporation and 
DIMON Incorporated in its peer group. Because DIMON Incorporated was the surviving company in the 
merger, the information set forth in the table is based on DIMON Incorporated’s historical performance 
prior to the merger. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on June 30, 2002, in Common Stock and 
in each of the comparative indices, in each case with dividends reinvested.

1 | 2007 Annual Report

To Our Shareholders

Fiscal year 2007 was a very important year for your Company. Our performance was greatly 

improved, but perhaps more importantly, we took numerous actions that we believe will improve our 

performance in the future and enable us to capitalize on opportunities.

In fi scal year 2007, we focused on the improvement and correct positioning of our core tobacco 

business. We sold most of our non-tobacco businesses in September 2006, followed by smaller sales 

since then, and the remainder is held for sale. We also made the diffi cult decision to exit our direct 

involvement in growing fl ue-cured tobacco in Malawi and Zambia, although we continue to purchase 

fl ue-cured tobacco produced in that region. 

We had a good year, and our stock price rose over 66% during the twelve months. Despite the 

changes and challenges we faced in fi scal year 2007, our continuing operations earned $80 million, 

or $2.52 per diluted share, including restructuring and impairment charges of $31 million, or $0.93 

per diluted share, primarily related to the African growing projects. This is a substantial improvement 

over last year’s loss from our tobacco operations of $3 million, which included nearly $58 million in 

restructuring and impairment charges related to the closure of our Danville, Virginia, factory and the 

deconsolidation of our Zimbabwe operations.

Each of our reporting segments contributed to the improvement. Results for the North America 

segment increased by $15 million, or over 60%, due to increased exports and processing volumes, 

cost savings associated with operating in one factory, sales of old stock burley tobacco, and better 

pricing. Our Other Regions segment showed an increase in earnings of nearly $60 million through a 

combination of strong volumes, improved pricing, and cost control, as well as the favorable resolution 

of a Brazilian tax case and the absence of Zimbabwe losses in 2007. Results for this segment included 

provisions for losses on supplier fi nancing of $32 million, compared to $29 million in the prior year. 

Over half of the charges in each year related to fi nancing fl ue-cured growing projects in Africa. In 

addition, we recognized tobacco inventory write-downs of $13 million this year and $10 million 

last year related to those growing projects. Our Other Tobacco Operations segment also showed 

substantial improvement in operating income on better sales of dark air-cured wrapper and leaf, the 

closure of Columbian dark air-cured operations, and lower overhead.

For several years, we have been operating in an oversupply environment, primarily in fl ue-cured 

leaf in Brazil where crop quality and a steadily appreciating local currency made that tobacco less 

attractive. We have reduced our crop size in Brazil, and worldwide burley tobacco appears to be in 

short supply. We have also been successful in reducing our operating and overhead costs.

Universal Corporation | 2

We will continue our efforts to improve results in fi scal year 2008, but we have a few challenges 

facing us. With the decision to exit our direct involvement in our fl ue-cured growing projects in Malawi 

and Zambia, we have reduced our investment in the related farming assets and do not anticipate 

signifi cant write downs on these projects going forward. However, fl ue-cured tobacco production will be 

lower, and we will have to adjust our operations to refl ect reduced processing volumes. 

In addition, Brazil is now almost fi nished buying a smaller, better quality crop, but our local costs 

are rising as the dollar continues to weaken against the Brazilian real and other local currencies. Also, 

North America will not repeat its signifi cant old crop burley tobacco sales this year, and it will have to 

cope with another reduction in Canadian volume. 

We are a much different company today than we were at the beginning of fi scal year 2007. We 

are leaner, and we are focused on our core business – leaf tobacco. We have eliminated unprofi table 

activities, and our fi nancial position has dramatically improved. 

We believe that our future success is in large part dependent on remaining the low cost provider 

of high quality products and services to manufacturers of tobacco products. To achieve our goal, we 

must continue to focus on improving the effi ciency of our operations, lowering our overhead costs, 

and meeting the expectations of our customers. 

Many of the tough decisions and actions we have taken over the past two fi scal years would not 

have been possible without the support of our shareholders and our many dedicated employees and 

colleagues around the world. We are grateful for their efforts in 2007.

Finally, it is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Thomas R. Towers, Director Emeritus, 

in January 2007. Tom was a trusted and admired colleague who took great delight in all aspects of 

our business and was a key fi gure in the development of our international organization. He was a true 

gentleman, and his guidance and presence will be greatly missed.

Allen B. King
Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer

George C. Freeman III
President

3 | 2007 Annual Report

Universal Corporation

Universal Leaf 
Tobacco Company, Inc.

DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

DIRECTORS

Allen B. King
Chairman

Orlando Astuti

W. Keith Brewer

Theodore G. Broome

Barry F. Dillehay

Charles A.M. Graham

Clay G. Frazier

George C. Freeman, III

Robert E. Jones

Claude G. Martin, Jr.

David C. Moore

Ray M. Paul, Jr.

Hartwell H. Roper

Edward M. Schaaf, III

Jonathan R. Wertheimer

IN MEMORY OF

Thomas R. Towers
1925-2007
Director Emeritus

Henry H. Harrell

OFFICERS

Allen B. King
Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer

George C. Freeman, III
President

Hartwell H. Roper
Vice President and
Chief Financial Offi cer

David C. Moore
Vice President and
Chief Administrative Offi cer

Karen M. L. Whelan
Vice President and Treasurer

William J. Coronado
Vice President

Preston D. Wigner
General Counsel and Secretary

Robert M. Peebles
Controller

Joseph W. Hearington, Jr.
Corporate Director, Internal Auditing

➋

Pamela J. Kepple 
Corporate Director, Taxes

➊

Karol O. Wilson 
Corporate Director, Taxes

Catherine H. Claiborne
Assistant Secretary

John B. Adams, Jr. 3 4
President and Chief Executive Offi cer
Bowman Companies

Chester A. Crocker 2 3
Professor of Strategic Studies
Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University

Joseph C. Farrell 1 2 5
Retired Chairman, President,
and Chief Executive Offi cer
The Pittston Company,
now known as The Brink’s Company

Charles H. Foster, Jr. 1 3*5
Chairman Emeritus
LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.

Thomas H. Johnson 2 4
Retired Chairman and 
Chief Executive Offi cer
Chesapeake Corporation

Allen B. King 1*3
Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer
Universal Corporation

Eddie N. Moore, Jr. 2 4
President
Virginia State University

Jeremiah J. Sheehan 1 4 5*
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer
Reynolds Metals Company

Hubert R. Stallard 1 2* 5
Retired President and
Chief Executive Offi cer
Bell Atlantic-Virginia, Inc.,
now known as Verizon Virginia, Inc.

Walter A. Stosch 3 4*
Principal
Stosch, Dacey & George, P.C.

Dr. Eugene P. Trani 2 4
President
Virginia Commonwealth University

➊   Retired March 31, 2007
➋  Elected April 1, 2007

1   Executive Committee
2   Pension Investment 
  Committee
3   Finance Committee
4   Audit Committee
5   Executive Compensation,
  Nominating and Corporate
  Governance Committee
*   Committee Chairman 

Universal Corporation | 4

2007 Universal Corporation

REPORT ON FORM 10-K

[This page intentionally left blank.]

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549  
 FORM 10-K 
 [ X ]    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF  
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. 
OR  
[    ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)  
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the transition period from             to             . 

Commission file number 1-652  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

Virginia 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

1501 North Hamilton Street, 
Richmond, Virginia 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

54-0414210 
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification Number) 

23230 
(Zip Code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  804-359-9311 

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

Title of each class 
Common Stock, no par value 
Preferred Share Purchase Rights 

Name of each exchange on 
which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:    None 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   
Yes [x]  No [  ] 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act.   
Yes [x]  No [  ] 

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and 
will  not  be  contained,  to  the  best  of  registrant’s  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information  statements  incorporated  by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [x]  

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

Large accelerated filer [x]   

Accelerated filer [  ] 

Non-accelerated filer [  ] 

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

The  aggregate  market  value  of  the  registrant’s  common  stock  held  by  non-affiliates  was  approximately  $708  million  at 
September 30, 2006.   

As of May 25, 2007, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was 27,026,971. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Certain  information  contained  in  the  2007  Proxy  Statement  for  the  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of  the  registrant  is 
incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. 

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

   Business…………………………………………………….............…………………………………………

   Risk Factors………………………………………………………………………………………….............…

   Unresolved Staff Comments……………………………………………………………………………………

   Properties………………………………………………………………………………………………………

   Legal Proceedings………………………………………………………………………………………………

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders…………………………………………………………

Page

3

7

11

12

13

14

   Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters

PART II

        and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities…………………………………………………………............

15
Selected Financial Data………………………………………………………………………………………… 16

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

     Results of Operations………………………………………………………………………………………

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk…………………………………………………

18

30

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data………………………………………………………………… 33
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting

     and Financial Disclosure……………………………………………………………………….............…… 79
Controls and Procedures………………………………………………………………………………………

79

Other Information………………………………………………………………………………………………

79

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance……………………………………………………… 80

PART III

Executive Compensation………………………………………………………………………………………

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and

     Related Stockholder Matters…………………….............………………….............………………………

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence……………………………......

Principal Accounting Fees and Services…………….…………………………………………………………

Item No.

1.

1A.

1B.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

7A.

8.

9.

9A.

9B.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules…………………………..…………..............………………………

PART IV

Signatures…………………………………………….………………………………………........………..

2

80

81

81

81

82

83

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
General 

PART I 

This Form 10-K, which we refer to herein as our Annual Report, contains “forward-looking statements” within the 
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Among other 
things, these statements relate to Universal Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations and future business plans, 
operations,  opportunities,  and  prospects.  In  addition,  Universal  Corporation  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:    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; changes in exchange rates; and general economic, political, market, 
and weather  conditions.    For  a  description  of  factors  that  may  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  such  forward-
looking statements, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”  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.    In  addition,  the  discussion  of  the  impact  of  current  trends  on  our  business  in 
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Other Information Regarding 
Trends  and  Management’s  Actions”  should  be  read  carefully  in connection  with  evaluating  our  business  and  the  forward-
looking statements contained in this Annual Report. 

This  Annual  Report  uses  the  terms  “Universal”,  “the  Company”,  “we”,  “us”,  and  “our”  to  refer  to  Universal 
Corporation  and  its  subsidiaries  when  it  is  not  necessary  to  distinguish  among  Universal  Corporation  and  its  various 
operating subsidiaries or when any distinction is clear from context. 

Item 1.    Business  

A.     

The Company  

Overview  

We  are  one  of  the  world’s  leading  leaf  tobacco  merchants  and  processors,  based  on  volumes  handled  by  our 
subsidiaries and affiliates.  Previously, we also had lumber and building products and agri-products operations; however, we 
sold the lumber and building product operations, along with a portion of our agri-products operations, on September 1, 2006.  
In December 2006, we adopted a plan to sell the remaining agri-products operations.  One of those agri-products businesses 
was  sold  in  January  2007,  and  one  was  sold  in  May  2007.    The  remaining  agri-product  operations  are  held  for  sale.    We 
report the assets and liabilities of the lumber and building products and agri-products businesses as discontinued operations 
for  all  periods  in  the  accompanying  financial  statements.    Our  worldwide  tobacco  business,  which  has  been  our  principal 
focus since our founding in 1918, now represents our continuing operations.  The reportable segments for our flue-cured and 
burley tobacco operations are North America and Other Regions.  Our third reportable segment is Other Tobacco Operations, 
which  comprises  our  dark  tobacco  business,  our  oriental  tobacco  joint  venture,  and  certain  services.    We  generated 
approximately  $2.0  billion  in  consolidated  revenues  and  earned  approximately  $208.7  million  in  total  segment  operating 
income  in  fiscal  year  2007.    Universal  Corporation  is  a  holding  company  that  operates  through  numerous  directly  and 
indirectly  owned  subsidiaries.    Universal  Corporation’s  primary  subsidiary  is  Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company, 
Incorporated.  See Exhibit 21, “Subsidiaries of the Registrant,” for additional subsidiary information. 

Key Operating Principles 

We  believe  that  by  following  several  key  operating  principles  we  will  continue  to  produce  strong  results  and 

enhance shareholder value.  These key operating principles are:  

• 

Low-cost  quality  producer.    Our  goal  is  to  be  the  low-cost  producer  of  quality  products  and  services  for  our 
customers.    We  focus  on  producing  a  quality  product  in  a  cost-effective  manner.    We  sponsor  programs  in  good 
agricultural practices, reduction of non-tobacco related materials, and social responsibility, among other programs. 

3

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
• 

• 

Strong local management.  We operate with strong local management in major leaf tobacco markets.  We believe 
that  by  having  strong  local  management  we  can  react  quickly  to  changes  in  market  conditions  to  ensure  that  we 
continue to deliver the high quality, reasonably priced products our customers expect. 

Strategic  alliances.  We  foster  strategic  alliances  with  our  major  customers  to  the  benefit  of  all  parties.  These 
alliances  with  major  manufacturers  are,  in  our  opinion,  especially  appropriate  to  the  leaf  tobacco  industry  where 
volume  at  an  appropriate  price  is  a  key  factor  in  long-term  profitability.    However,  the  need for  adequate factory 
volumes must be balanced with the cost of sourcing incremental volumes in markets where we provide financing to 
farmers.  Alliances permit the optimization of our inventory levels to reduce risk of loss during market downturns by 
enabling us to target our tobacco purchases against customer purchase indications. 

•  Diversified sources.  We strive to maintain diversified sources of leaf tobacco to minimize reliance on any one area 
so long as customers are willing to support such diversity. Historically, North America, South America, and Africa 
each have provided between 20% and 30% of the aggregate volume of flue-cured and burley tobacco that we handle.  
However, because of the decline in Zimbabwe crops in Africa, the South American share increased to about 33% of 
the aggregate volume that we handled from the 2006 crop.  We are ending our direct involvement in the production 
of flue-cured tobacco in Africa as we have experienced unsatisfactory results from our flue-cured growing projects.  
We are taking the necessary steps to reduce our costs there.  

• 

Financial strength.  We believe that our financial strength is important, because it enables us to fund our business 
efficiently  and  make  investments  in  our  business  when  an  appropriate  opportunity  is  identified.    We  continually 
work to improve our credit worthiness. 

Additional Information 

Our website address is www.universalcorp.com. We post regulatory filings and other documents on this website as 
soon  as  reasonably  practicable  after  they  are  electronically  filed  with  or  furnished  to  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission.  These filings include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-
K, Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5, and any amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and 
Exchange  Commission.    All  such  filings  on  our  website  are  available  free  of  charge.    Information  on  our  website  is  not 
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. 

In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Business Ethics Policy, and charters for the Audit Committee, 
the  Executive  Committee,  the  Executive  Compensation,  Nominating,  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee,  the  Pension 
Investment Committee, and the Finance Committee are available free of charge to shareholders and the public through the 
“Investors/Corporate Governance” section of our website.  Printed copies of the foregoing are available to any shareholder 
upon written request to our Treasurer at the address set forth on the first page of this Annual Report. 

B.      Description of Business  

General  

Our business involves selecting, buying, processing, packing, storing, shipping, and financing leaf tobacco for sale 
to,  or  for  the  account  of,  manufacturers  of  consumer  tobacco  products  throughout  the  world.    We  do  not  manufacture 
cigarettes or other consumer tobacco products.  Through various operating subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates located 
in  tobacco-growing  countries  around  the  world,  we  process  and/or  sell  flue-cured  and  burley  tobaccos,  dark  air-cured 
tobaccos,  and  oriental  tobaccos.    Flue-cured,  burley,  and  oriental  tobaccos  are  used  principally  in  the  manufacture  of 
cigarettes, and dark air-cured tobaccos are used mainly in the  manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco 
products.    We  generate  our  revenues  from  product  sales,  processing  fees,  and  fees  for  other  services.    About  80%  of  our 
volume is derived from sales to a limited number of large, multinational cigarette manufacturers. 

Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured and burley tobaccos.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, our flue-
cured and burley operations accounted for 86% of our revenues and 82% of our segment operating income.  Flue-cured and 
burley tobaccos, along with oriental tobaccos, are the major ingredients in American-blend cigarettes.  According to industry 
sources, worldwide cigarette consumption increased, on average, about 0.4% per year during the ten years that ended in 2006.  
We believe that future increases in worldwide cigarette consumption will have little or no effect on demand for the tobacco 
we  process  because  of  increasing  efficiencies  in  our  customers’  use  of  leaf.    This  may  mean  that  demand  for  flue-cured, 
burley,  and  oriental  leaf  tobacco  has  peaked  and  will  not  grow  with  current  levels  of  growth  in  cigarette  consumption.   
Industry  data  also  shows,  on  average,  a  0.2%  decrease  per  year  during  the  ten  years  ended  in  2006  in  consumption  of 
American-blend cigarettes, which could indicate a further dampening of demand for burley and oriental tobacco. 

4

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
Because unprocessed, or green tobacco, is a perishable product, processing of leaf tobacco is an essential service to 
our customers. Our processing of leaf tobacco includes grading in the factories, blending, quality picking, separation of leaf 
lamina from the stems, drying, and packing to precise moisture targets for proper aging.  Accomplishing these tasks generally 
requires investment in plants and machinery in areas where the tobacco is grown. Processed tobacco that has been properly 
aged can be stored by customers for a number of years prior to use, but most processed tobacco is used within two to three 
years.   

We  are  a  major  purchaser  and  processor  in  the  chief  exporting  regions  for  flue-cured  and  burley  tobacco.    We 
estimate that we usually purchase between 25% and 30% of the annual production of such tobaccos in Brazil and between 
35% and 45% in Africa. These percentages can change from year to year based on the size, price, and quality of the crops. 
We also have a major processing facility in the United States, which normally handles between 35% and 45% of U.S. flue-
cured and burley tobacco production.  In the United States, we sell processed U.S. tobacco to several cigarette manufacturers, 
and we process U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco on a fee basis, which we also refer to as “toll processing”.  We participate 
in the procurement, processing, and sale of oriental tobacco through ownership of a 49% equity interest in what we believe to 
be the largest oriental leaf tobacco merchant in the world, Socotab, L.L.C.  In addition, we maintain a presence, and in certain 
cases,  a  leading  presence,  in  virtually  all  other  major  tobacco  growing  regions  in  the  world.  We  believe  that  our  leading 
position  in  the  leaf  tobacco  industry  is  based  on  our  operations  in  all  of  the  major  source  areas,  our  development  of 
processing equipment and technologies, our financial position, our ability to meet customer demand, and our long-standing 
relationships  with  customers.  We  also  have  a  leading  position  in  worldwide  dark  tobacco  markets.    Our  dark  tobacco 
operations are located in most of the major producing countries (i.e., the United States, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, 
Italy,  Nicaragua,  Paraguay,  the  Philippines,  and  Brazil)  as  well  as  other  markets.  Dark  tobaccos  are  typically  used  in  the 
manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco products, and components of certain “roll-your-own” products.  

Sales are made by our sales force and, to a lesser degree, through the use of commissioned agents. Most customers 

are long-established tobacco product manufacturers.  

 We conduct our business in varying degrees in a number of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, 
Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala,  Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, 
Mozambique,  the  Netherlands,  Nicaragua,  Paraguay,  the  People’s  Republic  of  China,  the  Philippines,  Poland,  Russia, 
Singapore,  South  Africa,  Spain,  Switzerland,  Tanzania,  the  United  States,  Zambia,  and  Zimbabwe.  In  addition,  Socotab, 
L.L.C. has oriental tobacco operations in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, and Turkey.  

In the majority of countries where we operate, including Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, 
Malawi,  Mexico,  Mozambique,  Philippines,  Poland,  Tanzania,  the  United  States,  Zambia,  and  Zimbabwe,  we  contract 
directly with tobacco farmers or tobacco farmer cooperatives, in most cases before harvest, and thereby take the risk that the 
delivered  quality  and  quantity  may  not  meet  market  requirements.    Outside  the  United  States,  we  also  provide  agronomy 
services and crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies.  Tobacco in Canada, and to a certain extent, India, 
Malawi, the United States, and Zimbabwe, is purchased under an auction system.  

We have substantial capital investments in Brazil, and in southern Africa, and the performance of our operations in 
these  regions  can  materially  affect  our  earnings.  For  example,  in  fiscal  year  2006,  poor  crops  due  to  adverse  weather 
conditions  and  high  costs  caused  by  the  strong  currency  in  Brazil  caused  a  significant  decline  in  tobacco  earnings.    See 
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors that May Affect Future 
Results,” and “Risk Factors.” 

Our  foreign  operations  are  subject  to  international  business  risks,  including  unsettled  political  conditions, 
expropriation,  import  and  export  restrictions,  exchange  controls,  and  currency  fluctuations.  During  the  tobacco  season  in 
many of the countries listed above, we advance funds and guarantee local loans, each in substantial amounts, for the purchase 
of tobacco. The preponderance of these seasonal advances and loan guarantees terminate in one year or less.  Most tobacco 
sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, thereby reducing our foreign currency exchange risk.  See “Risk Factors.”  

For a discussion of recent developments and trends in, and factors that may affect, our business, see “Management’s 

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Risk Factors.” 

5

 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
Seasonality  

Our operations are seasonal in nature. Tobacco in Brazil is usually purchased from January through July, while the 
markets in Malawi generally open around April and continue into the fall.  Farmers begin to sell U.S. flue-cured tobacco in 
late July and the marketing season lasts for approximately four months. U.S. burley tobacco farmers deliver their crop from 
mid-November through mid-February. These different marketing periods reduce the overall seasonality of our business.  

We normally operate our processing plants for approximately seven to nine months of the year. During this period, 
inventories  of  green  tobacco,  inventories  of  redried  tobacco,  and  trade  accounts  receivable  normally  reach  peak  levels  in 
succession. Cash and current liabilities, particularly short-term notes payable to banks and customer advances, are means of 
financing  this  expansion  of  current  assets  and  normally  reach  their  peak  usage  during  this  processing  period.  Our  balance 
sheet at our fiscal year end normally reflects seasonal expansions in working capital in South America, Central America, and 
Western  Europe.      However,  in  recent  years  later  crops  in  South  America  have  moved  South  American  working  capital 
expansion into the first quarter. 

Customers  

A  material  part  of  our  business  is  dependent  upon  a few  customers.  For  the  year  ended  March  31,  2007,  each  of 
Altria Group, Inc. and Japan Tobacco Inc., including its respective affiliates, accounted for more than 10% of our revenues 
from  continuing  operations.  The  loss  of,  or  substantial  reduction  in  business  from,  either  of  these  customers  or  any  other 
significant  customer  would  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  results.  We  have  long-standing  relationships  with  these 
customers.  

We had orders from customers for approximately $475 million of our tobacco inventories at March 31, 2007.  Based 
upon historical experience, we expect that at least 90% of such orders will be delivered during the following twelve months. 
Delays  in  the  delivery  of  orders  can  result  from  such  factors  as  changing  customer  requirements  for  shipment,  container 
availability, and port access.  

We  recognize  sales  and  revenue  at  the  time  that  title  to  the  tobacco  and  risk  of  loss  passes  to  our  customer.  
Individual shipments may be large, and since the customer typically specifies shipping dates, our financial results may vary 
significantly between reporting periods due to timing of sales. 

Competition  

The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive. Competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based on the ability 
to  satisfy  customer  specifications  in  the  buying,  processing,  and  financing  of  tobacco,  as  well  as  the  price  charged  for 
products and services. Competition varies depending on the market or country involved. The number of competitors varies 
from  country  to  country,  but  there  is  competition  in  most  areas  to  buy  the  available  tobacco.  Our  principal  competitor  is 
Alliance One International, Inc. (“Alliance One”).  Alliance One operates in many of the countries where we operate.  We 
believe  that  we  hold  the  larger  worldwide  market  share  based  on  volume  handled  by  our  subsidiaries  and  affiliates.  
However,  the  market  shares  do  not  differ  substantially  between  the  two  companies.    British  American  Tobacco  p.l.c.,  a 
multinational  tobacco  product  manufacturer,  has  subsidiaries  that  also  compete  with  us  in  some  markets.      In  most  major 
markets, smaller competitors are very active.  These competitors typically have lower overhead requirements and provide less 
support to farmers.  Due to their lower cost structures, they can often offer a price on products that is lower than our price.  
However,  we  believe  that  we  provide  quality  controls  that  are  necessary  for  our  customers  and  make  our  products  highly 
competitive. 

Reportable Segments 

We evaluate the performance of our business by geographic region, although the dark air-cured and oriental tobacco 
businesses are each evaluated on the basis of their worldwide operations.  Performance of the oriental tobacco operations is 
evaluated based on our  equity  in  the  pretax  earnings of our  affiliate.    Under  this  structure,  we  have  the  following primary 
operating segments:  North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Dark Air-Cured, Special Services, and Oriental.  
North  America,  South  America,  Africa,  Europe,  and  Asia  are  primarily  involved  in  flue-cured  and/or  burley  leaf  tobacco 
operations for supply to cigarette manufacturers.  Dark Air-Cured supplies dark air-cured tobacco to manufacturers of cigar, 
pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products, and Oriental supplies oriental tobacco to cigarette manufacturers.  From time 
to  time,  the  segments  may  trade  in  tobaccos  that differ  from  their  main  varieties,  but those  activities  are not  significant  to 
their overall results.  Special Services provides just-in-time inventory services for certain customers and laboratory services 
including physical and chemical product testing for customers.    

6

 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
The five regional operating segments serving our cigarette manufacturer customer base share similar characteristics 
in  the  nature  of  their  products  and  services,  production  processes,  class  of  customer,  product  distribution  methods,  and 
regulatory environment.  Based on the applicable accounting guidance, four of the regions – South America, Africa, Europe, 
and  Asia  –  are  aggregated  into  a  single  reporting  segment,  Other  Regions,  because  they  also  have  similar  economic 
characteristics.    North  America  is  reported  as  an  individual  operating  segment  because  its  economic  characteristics  are 
dissimilar from the other regions, as its operations do not require significant working capital investments for crop financing 
and inventory, and toll processing is an important source of its operating income.  The Dark Air-Cured, Special Services, and 
Oriental  segments, which have dissimilar  characteristics  in  some  of  the categories  mentioned  above, are  reported  as  Other 
Tobacco Operations because each is below the measurement threshold for separate reporting.  

Financial Information about Segments 

Our North America and Other Regions segments, which are part of our flue-cured and burley tobacco operations, 
accounted for 17% and 68% of our revenues and 19% and 63% of our segment operating income, respectively, in fiscal year 
2007.  Our Other Tobacco Operations segment accounted for 14% of our revenues and 18% of our segment operating income 
in  fiscal  year  2007.      Sales  and other operating  revenues  and  operating  income  attributable  to  our  reportable  segments  for 
each of the last three fiscal years along with segment assets for each reportable segment at March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, 
are set forth in Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements, which are included in this Annual Report.  Information with 
respect to the geographic distribution of our revenues and long-lived assets is also set forth in Note 14 to our consolidated 
financial statements.  

C.     

Employees  

We  employed  over  25,000  employees  throughout  the  world  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2007.    This 

figure is estimated because the majority of our personnel are seasonal employees.  

D.      Research and Development  

No material amounts were expended for research and development during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 

2006, or 2005.  

E.     

Patents, etc.  

We hold no material patents, licenses, franchises, or concessions.  

F.      Government Regulation, Environmental Matters and Other Matters  

Our business is subject to general governmental regulation in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions where we 
conduct  business.  Such  regulation  includes,  but  is  not  limited  to,  matters  relating  to  environmental  protection.  To  date, 
governmental provisions regulating the discharge of material into the environment have not had a material effect upon our 
capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. See ”Risk Factors”  for a discussion of government regulations and 
other factors that may affect our business.  

Item 1A.   Risk Factors 

Operating Factors 

The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive, and we are heavily reliant on a few large customers. 

We are one of two major independent global competitors in the highly competitive leaf tobacco industry, both of 
whom  are  reliant  upon  a  few  large  customers.  The  loss  of  one  of  those  large  customers  or  a  significant  decrease  in  their 
respective demand for our products or services could significantly decrease our sales of products or services, which would 
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based on the 
ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing, and financing of tobacco, as well as the price charged for 
products and services. However, because we, like our competitors, rely upon a few significant customers, the consolidation or 
failure of any of these large or significant customers could contribute to a significant decrease in our sales of products and 
services. 

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
We are seeing an increase in competition from small competitors in some of the markets where we conduct business.  
These small competitors typically have lower overhead requirements.  They provide little or no support to farmers.  Due to 
their  lower  cost  structures,  they  often  can  offer  a  price  on  products  that  is  lower  than  our  price.    If  our  customers  shift 
significant purchases to these smaller competitors, our financial results could be negatively impacted. 

Our financial results can be significantly affected by changes in the balance of supply and demand for leaf tobacco. 

Because we are a leaf tobacco merchant, our financial results can be significantly affected by changes in the overall 
balance  of  worldwide  supply  and  demand  for  leaf  tobacco.  The  demand  for  tobacco,  which  is  based  upon  customers’ 
expectations  of  their  future  requirements,  can  change  from  time  to  time  depending  upon  internal  and  external  factors 
affecting the demand for their products. Our customers’ expectations, and thus their demand for leaf tobacco, are influenced 
by a number of factors, including:  

• 

• 

• 

trends in the global consumption of cigarettes, 

trends in sales of cigars and other tobacco products, and 

levels of competition among our customers. 

The  total  supply  of  tobacco  at  any  given  time  is  a  function  of  current  tobacco  production,  inventories  held  by 
manufacturers,  and  the  volumes  of  uncommitted  stocks  of  processed  tobacco  from  prior  years’  production.  Production  of 
tobacco in a given year may be significantly affected by such factors as: 

• 

the amount of tobacco planted by farmers throughout the world, 

•  weather and natural disasters, and 

• 

crop disease. 

Any  significant  change  in  these  factors  could  cause  a  material  imbalance  in  the  supply  and  demand  for  tobacco, 

which would affect our results of operations.  

Our financial results will vary according to growing conditions, customer requirements, and other factors.  These factors 
also reduce the ability to gauge our performance and increase the risk of an investment in Universal. 

Our  financial  results,  particularly  the  quarterly  financial  results,  may  be  significantly  affected  by  fluctuations  in 
tobacco  growing  seasons  and  crop  sizes.    The  cultivation  of  tobacco  is  dependent  upon  a  number  of  factors,  including 
weather and other natural events, and our processing schedule and results of operations can be significantly altered by these 
factors. 

Further,  the  timing  and  unpredictability  of  customer  orders  and  shipments  may  require  us  to  keep  tobacco  in 
inventory, increase our risk, and result in variations in quarterly and annual financial results.  We base sales recognition on 
the passage of ownership, usually with shipment of product.  Since individual shipments may represent significant amounts 
of revenue, our quarterly and annual financial results may vary significantly depending on the needs and shipping instructions 
of  our  customers.    These  fluctuations  result  in  varying  volumes  and  sales  in  given  periods,  which  also  reduce  the 
comparability of financial results for different periods or for the same periods in different years. 

Major shifts in customer requirements for tobacco supply may significantly affect our operating results. 

If  our  customers  significantly  alter  their  requirements  for  tobacco  volumes  from  certain  regions,  we  may  have  to 
change our production facilities and alter our fixed asset base in certain origins.  Permanent or long-term reduction in demand 
for tobacco from origins where we have operations may trigger restructuring and impairment charges.  We may also need to 
make  significant  capital  investments  in  other  regions  to  develop  the  needed  infrastructure  to  meet  customer  supply 
requirements. 

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
In areas where we purchase leaf tobacco directly from farmers, we bear the risk that the tobacco we receive will not meet 
quality and quantity requirements. 

When  we  contract  directly  with  tobacco  farmers  or  tobacco  farmer  cooperatives,  which  is  the  method  we  use  to 
purchase tobacco in most countries, we bear the risk that the tobacco delivered may not meet customer quality and quantity 
requirements.  If  the  tobacco  does  not  meet  such  market  requirements,  we  may  not  be  able  to  meet  all  of  our  customers’ 
orders, which would have an adverse effect on profitability and results of operations.  Because in a contract market we buy all 
of  the  farmers’  production  which  encompasses  many  styles  and  customer  orders,  we  also  have  a  risk  that  not  all  of  that 
production  will  be  readily  marketable.    In  addition,  in  many  foreign  countries,  when  we  purchase  tobacco  directly  from 
farmers,  we  provide  them  with  financing.  Unless  we  receive  marketable  tobacco  that  meets  the  quality  and  quantity 
specifications of our customers, we bear the risk that we will not be able to fully recover our crop advances or recover them 
in  a  reasonable  period  of  time.    Although  we  purchase  a  portion  of  our  leaf  tobacco  through  public  auction,  as  well  as 
privately-negotiated contract purchases, several countries where auction markets are used today may be moving toward direct 
purchasing, thus increasing the areas subject to this risk. 

Weather and other conditions can affect the marketability of our products. 

Tobacco is subject to vagaries of the weather and the environment that can, in some cases, change the quality or size 
of  the  crops.  If  a  weather  event  is  particularly  severe,  such  as  a  major  drought  or  hurricane,  the  affected  crop  could  be 
destroyed  or  damaged  to  an  extent  that  it  would  be  less  desirable  to  manufacturers,  which  would  result  in  a  reduction  in 
revenues. If such an event is also widespread, it could affect our ability to acquire the quantity of products required by our 
customers. In addition, other items can affect the marketability of tobacco, including, among other things, the presence of: 

• 

• 

• 

foreign matter, 

genetically modified organisms, and 

excess residues of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. 

A significant event impacting the condition or quality of a large amount of any of the crops that we buy could make 

it difficult for us to sell these products or to fill customers’ orders. 

Regulatory and Governmental Factors 

Government efforts to reduce tobacco consumption could have a significant impact on the businesses of our customers, which 
would, in turn, affect our results of operations. 

The U.S. federal government and certain state and local governments have taken or proposed actions that may have 
the effect of reducing U.S. consumption of tobacco products and indirectly reducing demand for our products and services. 
These activities have included: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the  U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency’s  decision  to  classify  environmental  tobacco  smoke  as  a  “Group  A” 
(known human) carcinogen, 

restrictions on the use of tobacco products in public places and places of employment, 

proposals to have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulate nicotine as a drug and sharply restrict tobacco 
product advertising and promotion, 

proposals to increase the federal, state, and local excise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, 

federal and state government litigation and other actions, including the creation of the Master Settlement Agreement  
(“MSA”) in the late 1990s, to recoup monies from tobacco product manufacturers to pay for the health care costs 
associated with tobacco product usage and environmental tobacco smoke exposure,  

efforts by states’ attorneys general to enforce and/or amend certain sections of the MSA, and 

the policy of the U.S. government to link certain federal grants to the enforcement of state laws restricting the sale of 
tobacco products. 

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerous other legislative and regulatory anti-smoking measures have been proposed at the federal, state, and local 
levels. Excluding the effect of tobacco contained in cigarettes imported into the United States, we estimate that historically 
between  12%  and  15%  of  the  flue-cured  and  burley  tobaccos  that  we  handle  worldwide  are  ultimately  consumed  in  the 
United States. Flue-cured and burley tobacco operations provide 86% of our revenues.  

A number of foreign governments and global non-government organizations also have taken or proposed steps to 
restrict  or  prohibit  tobacco  product  advertising  and  promotion,  to  increase  taxes  on  tobacco  products,  and  to  discourage 
tobacco product consumption. A number of such measures are included in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 
(“FCTC”), which was negotiated and promoted globally under the auspices of the World Health Organization (“WHO”).  We 
cannot predict the extent to which the efforts of governments or non-governmental agencies to reduce tobacco consumption 
might  affect  the  business  of  our  primary  customers.  However,  a  significant  decrease  in  worldwide  tobacco  consumption 
brought about by existing or future governmental laws and regulations would reduce demand for our products and services 
and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. 

Government actions can have a significant effect on the sourcing of tobacco. If some of the current efforts  are successful, we 
could have difficulty obtaining sufficient tobacco to provide for our customers’ requirements, which could have an adverse 
effect on our performance and results of operations. 

Various proposals to reform U.S. immigration laws could impact the number of legal temporary agricultural workers 
entering  the  United  States  to  work  on  tobacco  producing  farms.    In  addition,  the  WHO,  through  the  FCTC,  has  created  a 
formal study group to identify and assess crop diversification initiatives and alternatives to leaf tobacco growing in countries 
whose economies depend upon tobacco production.  The study group began its work in February 2007.   If the amount of 
legal  temporary  agricultural  workers  allowed  into  the  United  States  were  further  restricted  or  if  certain  countries  were  to 
partner with the FCTC study group and seek to eliminate or significantly reduce leaf tobacco production, we could encounter 
difficulty  in  sourcing  leaf  tobacco  to  fill  customer  requirements,  which  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  our  results  of 
operations. 

Because we conduct a significant portion of our operations internationally, political uncertainties in certain countries could 
have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations. 

Our international operations are subject to uncertainties and risks relating to the political stability of certain foreign 
governments, principally in developing countries and emerging markets, and to the effects of changes in the trade policies 
and  economic  regulations  of  foreign  governments.  These  uncertainties  and  risks,  which  include,  among  other  factors, 
undeveloped  or  antiquated  commercial  law  and  the  expropriation  or  nationalization  of  assets,  may  adversely  impact  our 
ability  to  effectively  manage  our  operations  in  those  countries.  For  example,  in  the  past,  we  have  experienced  significant 
year-to-year  fluctuations  in  earnings  due  to  changes  in  the  Brazilian  government’s  economic  policies,  and  government 
actions in Zimbabwe have reduced the tobacco crop there, causing us to shift sourcing of tobacco to other countries. Over the 
last  two  years,  market  disruptions  in  Malawi  have  made  operations  there  less  certain.    We  have  substantial  capital 
investments in South America and Africa, and the performance of our operations in those regions can materially affect our 
earnings  from  tobacco  operations.    If  the  political  situation  in  any  of  the  countries  where  we  conduct  business  were  to 
deteriorate significantly, our ability to recover assets located there could be impaired. To the extent that we do not replace 
any lost volumes of tobacco with tobacco from other sources, or we incur increased costs related to such replacement, our 
results of operations would suffer. 

Changes in tax laws in the countries where we do business may adversely affect our results of operations. 

Through  our  subsidiaries,  we  are  subject  to  the  tax  laws  of  many  jurisdictions.    Changes  in  tax  laws  or  the 
interpretation  of  tax  laws  can  affect  our  earnings,  as  can  the  resolution  of  various  pending  and  contested  tax  issues.    For 
example, changes in tax law in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, which limit the amount of tax credits generated on 
interstate sales of tobacco in Brazil increased our cost of doing business in that country in fiscal years 2005 and 2006.  See 
Note 13 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information on this tax.  

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Factors 

Failure of our customers or farmers to repay extensions of credit could materially impact our results of operations. 

We extend credit to both farmers and customers. A significant delay in payment or a significant bad debt provision 
related to amounts due could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, crop advances to farmers are generally 
secured by the farmers’ agreement to deliver green tobacco. In the event of crop failure or permanent reductions in crop sizes, 
full recovery of advances may never be realized, or otherwise could be delayed until future crops are delivered. 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may affect our results of operations. 

We account for most of our tobacco operations using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.  The international 
tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars.  This limits foreign exchange risk to that which is related to production 
costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country.  In certain tobacco markets that are primarily domestic, we use the 
local currency as the functional currency.  Examples of these domestic markets are Hungary and Poland.  In these domestic 
markets, reported earnings are affected by the translation of the local currency into the U.S. dollar. See also “Qualitative and 
Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk.” 

Our  purchases  of  tobacco  are  often  made  in  local  currency,  and  we  also  provide  farmer  advances  that  are 
denominated in the local currency.  Currency gains or losses on those advances, which are period costs, are usually offset by 
decreases or increases in the cost of tobacco, which is priced in the local currency.  However, the effects of differences in the 
cost of tobacco are generally not realized until the tobacco is sold, which often occurs in a subsequent quarter or fiscal year.  
The difference in timing could affect our profitability in a given quarter or fiscal year.    

Changes  in  exchange  rates  can  also  make  a  particular  crop  more  or  less  expensive  in  U.S.  dollar  terms.    If  a 
particular  crop  is  viewed  as  expensive  in  U.S.  dollar  terms,  it  may  be  less  attractive  in  the  world  market.    This  could 
negatively affect the profitability of such crop and our results of operations.    

Because there is no forward foreign exchange market in many of the major countries where we source tobacco, we 
often  manage  our  foreign  exchange  risk  by  matching  funding  for  inventory  purchases  with  the  currency  of  sale  and  by 
minimizing  our  net  investment  in  these  countries.    To  the  extent  that  we  have  net  monetary  assets  or  liabilities  in  local 
currency, we may have currency remeasurement gains or losses that will affect our results of operations.     

Changes in interest rates may affect our results of operations. 

In our business, customers usually pre-finance purchases or pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased on 
order.  We borrow long-term debt to reduce liquidity issues.  Through hedging agreements, we swap the interest rates on our 
existing fixed-rate debt to floating market interest rates to better match the interest rates that we charge our customers.  To the 
extent  we  are  unable  to  match  these  interest  rates,  a  decrease  in  short-term  interest  rates  could  increase  our  net  financing 
costs. 

Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments 

None  

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.   Properties 

Except as noted, we own the following significant properties (greater than 500,000 square feet): 

Location 

Principal Use

Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
North America:
United States
Nash County, North Carolina………………………………………… Factory and storages

Canada
Simcoe………………………………….............……….……………… Factory and storages

Other Regions:

Brazil
Santa Cruz…………………………..........…………………………… Factory and storages
Joinville(1)…………………………..........……………………………  
Venancio Aires………………….....................……..……………..…… Storages

Factory and storages

Malawi
Lilongwe…………………………………................……….………… Factory and storages

Mozambique
Tete…………………………………................……….……………… Factory and storages

Tanzania
Morogoro…………………………………............……….…………… Factory and storages

Area
(Square Feet)

1,244,000

569,000

2,770,000

1,075,000
860,000

673,000

762,000

779,000

Zimbabwe
Harare(2)……………………………………...............…….…………… 

Factory and storages

1,065,000

Other Tobacco Operations:

United States
Lancaster, Pennsylvania………………………………………….…… Factory and storages

636,000

(1) Leased from a third party
(2) Owned by an unconsolidated subsidiary.

We  own  the  land  and  building  located  at  1501  North  Hamilton  Street  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  where  we  are 

headquartered.  The building contains approximately 83,000 square feet of floor space, which is adequate for our needs. 

Our business involves, among other things, storing and processing green tobacco and storing processed tobacco.  We 
operate processing facilities in major tobacco growing areas. In addition, we require tobacco storage facilities that are in close 
proximity  to  the  processing facilities.  We own  most  of  the  tobacco  storage facilities,  but we  lease  additional  space,  as  the 
need  arises,  and  expenses  related  to  such  leases  are  not  material.  We  believe  that  the  properties  currently  utilized  in  our 
tobacco operations are maintained in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for our purposes at our current 
volumes.   

In addition to our significant properties listed above, we own other processing facilities in the following countries: 
Germany,  Hungary,  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  the  Philippines,  Poland,  and  the  United  States.  In  addition,  we  have  ownership 
interests  in  processing  plants  in  Guatemala  and  Mexico  and  have  access  to  processing  facilities  in  other  areas,  such  as 
Argentina, India, the People’s Republic of China, Spain, and Zambia.  Socotab L.L.C., a joint venture in which we own a 
minority interest, owns two oriental tobacco-processing plants in both Turkey and Macedonia and one each in Greece and 
Bulgaria.   

12

 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
Except for the Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility, the facilities described  above are engaged primarily in processing 
tobacco used by manufacturers in the production of cigarettes.  The Lancaster facility and another facility in Virginia, as well 
as facilities in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and the Philippines, process tobacco used in 
making cigar, pipe, and smokeless products, as well as components of certain “roll-your-own” products.   

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings  

European Commission Fines in Spain 

In October 2004, the European Commission (the “Commission”) imposed fines on “five companies active in the raw 
Spanish tobacco processing market” totaling €20 million (approximately $27 million) for “colluding on the prices paid to, 
and the quantities bought from, the tobacco growers in Spain.”  Two of our subsidiaries, Tabacos Espanoles S.A. (“TAES”), 
a purchaser and processor of raw tobacco in Spain, and Deltafina, S.p.A. (“Deltafina”), an Italian subsidiary, were among the 
five companies assessed fines. In its decision, the Commission imposed a fine of €108,000 on TAES, and a fine of €11.88 
million on Deltafina.  Deltafina did not and does not purchase or process raw tobacco in the Spanish market, but was and is a 
significant buyer of tobacco from some of the Spanish processors.   We recorded a charge of approximately $14.9 million in 
the second quarter of fiscal year 2005 to accrue the full amount of the fines assessed against our subsidiaries. 

In January 2005, Deltafina filed an appeal in the Court of First Instance of the European Communities.  The main 
ground of appeal is that the Commission erred in imposing liability on Deltafina as a cartel participant, particularly as the 
cartel leader, when Deltafina was not an actual party to the agreement and was incapable of acting in the relevant market.  In 
addition, Deltafina argues that (i) the Commission failed to allege that Deltafina was a member of the cartel and cartel leader 
prior to issuing its decision, thereby impairing Deltafina’s right to defend itself, and (ii) that the Commission failed to try to 
prove that the practices affected trade between Member States of the European Community.  The appeal also argues that the 
Commission  incorrectly  calculated  the  amount of  the  Deltafina  fine.    The  appeal  process  is  likely  to  take  several  years  to 
complete, and the ultimate outcome is uncertain.   Deltafina has deposited funds in an escrow account with the Commission 
in the amount of the fine in order to stay execution during the appeal process. 

European Commission Fines in Italy 

In 2002, we reported that we were aware that the Commission was investigating certain aspects of the tobacco leaf 
markets in Italy.  Deltafina buys and processes tobacco in Italy.  We reported that we did not believe that the Commission 
investigation  in  Italy  would  result  in  penalties  being  assessed  against  us  or  our  subsidiaries  that  would  be  material  to  our 
earnings.    The  reason  we  held  this  belief  was  that  we  had  received  conditional  immunity  from  the  Commission  because 
Deltafina had voluntarily informed the Commission of the activities that were the basis of the investigation. 

  On December 28, 2004, we received a preliminary indication that the Commission intended to revoke Deltafina’s 
immunity  for  disclosing  in  April  2002  that  it  had  applied  for  immunity.    Neither  the  Commission’s  Leniency  Notice  of 
February  19,  2002,  nor  Deltafina’s  letter  of  provisional  immunity  contains  a  specific  requirement  of  confidentiality.    The 
potential for such disclosure was discussed with the Commission in March 2002, and the Commission never told Deltafina 
that the disclosure would affect Deltafina’s immunity.  On November 15, 2005, we received notification that the Commission 
had  imposed  fines  totaling  €30  million  (about  $41  million)  on  Deltafina  and  Universal  Corporation  jointly  for  infringing 
European Union antitrust law in connection with the purchase and processing of tobacco in the Italian raw tobacco market. 

We  do  not  believe  that  the  decision  can  be  reconciled  with  the  Commission’s  Statement  of  Objections  and  facts.  
Both  Deltafina  and  Universal  Corporation  have  appealed  the  decision  to  the  Court  of  First  Instance  of  the  European 
Communities.  Based on consultation with outside legal counsel, we believe it is probable that we will prevail in the appeals 
process, and we have not accrued a charge for the fine.  Deltafina has provided a bank guarantee to the Commission in the 
amount of the fine in order to stay execution during the appeals process.  A cash deposit of €8 million (about $11 million) 
secures a portion of the bank guarantee. 

13

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 

As  a  result  of  a  posting  to  our  Ethics  Complaint  hotline  alleging  improper  activities  that  involved  or  related  to 
certain of our tobacco subsidiaries, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors engaged an outside law firm to conduct an 
investigation of the alleged activities.  That investigation revealed that there have been payments that may have violated the 
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  At this time, the payments involved appear to have approximated $1 million over a five-
year period.  In addition, the investigation revealed activities in foreign jurisdictions that may have violated the competition 
laws of such jurisdictions, but we believe those activities did not violate U.S. antitrust laws.  We voluntarily reported these 
activities to the appropriate U.S. authorities.  On June 6, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified us that a 
formal order of investigation has been issued.   

If the U.S. authorities determine that there have been violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or if the U.S. 
authorities  or  the  authorities  in  foreign  jurisdictions  determine  there  have  been  violations  of  other  laws,  they  may  seek  to 
impose  sanctions  on  us  or  our  subsidiaries  that  may  include  injunctive  relief,  disgorgement,  fines,  penalties,  and 
modifications  to  business  practices.    It  is  not  possible  to  predict  at  this  time  whether  the  authorities  will  determine  that 
violations have occurred, and if they do, what sanctions they might seek to impose.  It is also not possible to predict how the 
government's investigation or any resulting sanctions may impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or 
financial performance, although such sanctions, if imposed, could be material to our results of operations in any quarter.  We 
will continue to cooperate with the authorities in these matters.  

Employment Litigation Verdict 

In  September  2006,  a  California  jury  decided  a  case  involving  an  employment  matter  at  one  of  our agri-products 
subsidiaries in favor of the plaintiffs and awarded them compensatory damages of approximately $0.2 million and punitive 
damages of $25 million.  In December 2006, the trial court granted our motion to substantially reduce the punitive damages 
to  approximately  $1.25  million,  bringing  the  total  amount  of  the  award  to  approximately  $1.45  million.    Universal 
Corporation  and  the other defendants  also filed  a  notice  of  appeal,  as we  believed  there  were  errors  in  the  decision  of  the 
court  despite  the  significant reduction  in punitive damages.    On  May  16, 2007,  the plaintiffs  agreed  with us  and  the other 
defendants to a final settlement on all the issues.  As part of the settlement, the parties agreed that the terms of the settlement 
would be confidential. 

Other Legal Matters 

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

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

14

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
PART II 

Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities  

Common Equity  

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UVV.” The following 
table  sets  forth  the  high  and  low  sales  prices  per  share  of  the  common  stock  on  the  NYSE  Composite  Tape,  based  upon 
published financial sources, and the dividends declared on each share of common stock for the quarter indicated.  

2007

Cash dividends declared……………………………… 
Market price range…………………..………………… 

2006

Cash dividends declared……………………………… 
Market price range………………..…………………… 

2005

Cash dividends declared……………………………… 
Market price range…………………..………………… 

High   

Low   

High   

Low   

High   

Low   

First 
Quarter

Second 
Quarter

Third 
Quarter

Fourth 
Quarter

 $           0.43 

 $           0.43 

 $           0.44 

$           0.44 

38.41

36.02

38.63

35.02

50.05

36.14

61.35

46.70

 $           0.42 

 $           0.42 

 $           0.43 

$           0.43 

48.03

43.08

47.70

38.83

43.99

36.31

48.21

36.17

 $           0.39   

 $           0.39   

 $           0.42   

$           0.42 

53.01

46.20

50.14

42.25

49.80

43.31

50.57

45.77

Our current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future.  However, the declaration 
and payment of dividends to holders of common stock is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent 
upon our future earnings, financial condition, and capital requirements.  Under the terms of the Series B 6.75% Convertible 
Perpetual  Preferred  Stock  (the  “Preferred  Stock”),  we  may  not  declare  or  pay  dividends  on  our  common  stock  unless 
dividends on the Preferred Stock for the four most recent consecutive dividend periods have been declared and paid.  The 
Preferred Stock contains provisions that prohibit the payment of cash dividends if certain income and shareholders’ equity 
levels are not met.  Under certain of our credit facilities, we must meet financial covenants relating to minimum tangible net 
worth  and  maximum  levels  of  long-term  debt.  If  we  were  not  in  compliance  with  them,  these  financial  covenants  could 
restrict our ability to pay dividends.  We were in compliance with all such covenants at March 31, 2007.  At May 25, 2007, 
there were 1,781 holders of record of our common stock.  See Notes 7 and 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
for more information on debt covenants and equity securities.   

Purchases of Equity Securities 

Neither we nor any affiliated purchasers made any purchases of our equity during the three months ended March 31, 

2007. 

15

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data 

2007

Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
2006

2005
(in thousands, except per share data, ratios and number of shareholders)

Nine-Month
Transition
Year Ended
March 31,
2004

Fiscal
Year Ended
June 30,
2003

Summary of Operations
Sales and other operating revenues……........    $
Income (loss) from continuing

2,007,272

   $

1,781,312

   $

1,667,193

   $

1,272,387

   $

1,590,621

operations…………………………………  $

80,411

  $

(2,973)

Income (loss) from discontinued

operations…………………………………  $
Net income………………………….............   $
Return on beginning common

(36,059)
44,352

  $
  $

10,913
7,940

shareholders’ equity………………………   

3.1 %   

1.0 %

Earnings (loss) per common share:

Basic:

From continuing operations……………  $
From discontinued operations…………   $
Net income………………………………  $

Diluted:

From continuing operations……………  $
From discontinued operations…………   $
Net income………………………………  $

2.53
(1.39)
1.14

2.52
(1.39)
1.13

Financial Position at Year End
Current ratio…..........………………...………  
Total assets…………............…………………  $
Long-term obligations………………………    $
Working capital………………………………  $
Shareholders’ equity……...…………………   $

2.23
2,328,822
398,952
852,391
1,030,733

  $
  $
  $

  $
  $
  $

  $
   $
  $
  $

$

$
$

$
$
$

$
$
$

68,556

27,457
96,013

12.6 %

2.68
1.08
3.76

2.66
1.07
3.73

$

$
$

$
$
$

$
$
$

84,937

14,699
99,636

16.1 % *

3.39
0.58
3.97

3.36
0.58
3.94

$

$
$

$
$
$

$
$
$

88,545

22,049
110,594

18.8 %

3.48
0.87
4.35

3.47
0.87
4.34

(0.12)
0.43
0.31

(0.12)
0.43
0.31

1.94
2,892,664
762,201
877,051
964,871

1.84
2,885,324
838,687
819,047
822,388

2.05
2,498,408
770,296
789,530
759,833

$
   $
$
$

$
   $
$
$

1.67
2,243,074
614,994
550,716
620,278

$
   $
$
$

General
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges…………… 
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed

charges and preference dividends………… 
Number of common shareholders…………… 
Weighted average common

shares outstanding:

Basic…………………………………… 
Diluted…………………………………  

Dividends per share of convertible

perpetual preferred stock, annual rate……   $
Dividends per common share……...…………  $
Book value per common share…………...…   $

* Based on nine-month net income. 

3.32

2.36
1,807

25,935
26,051

67.50
1.74
30.34

1.34

1.34
1,951

25,707
25,707

3.59

3.59
2,042

25,553
25,717

6.14

6.14
2,126

25,072
25,277

4.54

4.54
2,267

25,420
25,499

  $
  $
  $

    —   

1.70
29.96

$
$
$

    —   

1.62
32.04

$
$
$

    —   

1.14
29.86

$
$
$

    —   

1.42
24.89

The calculations of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and 
preference  dividends  are  shown  in  Exhibit  12.    Fixed  charges  primarily  represent  interest  expense  we  incurred  during  the 
designated reporting period, and preference dividends represent the pre-tax equivalent of dividends on preferred stock.   

We changed our fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective for fiscal year 2004.  Selected financial data for 

fiscal year 2004 is presented for the nine-month transition year ended March 31, 2004.   

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• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Significant items included in the operating results in the above table are as follows: 

Fiscal  Year  2007  --  $30.9  million  in  impairment  charges,  primarily  related  to  our  review  of  flue-cured  growing 
projects in Africa and our decision to exit those projects at the end of the 2006-07 crop year.  After minority interest 
and income tax effects, the charges reduced income from continuing operations and net income by $24.2 million, or 
$0.93  per  diluted  share.    In  addition,  we  recorded  provisions  for  uncollectible  farmer  advances  in  Brazil  and  in 
several African countries totaling $31.9 million.  Over half of those provisions related to the growing projects that 
we are exiting.  The results also included lower of cost or market inventory provisions of $12.8 million related to 
tobacco produced in those African growing projects.  After minority interest and income tax effects, the provisions 
reduced income from continuing operations and net income by $27.5 million, or $1.06 per diluted share.  We also 
recorded a net loss on the sale of a significant portion of our non-tobacco operations and an impairment charge on 
the  remaining  non-tobacco  operations  held  for  sale.    On  a  combined  basis,  those  items  created  a  loss  from 
discontinued operations and reduced net income by $44.5 million before income taxes, $45.0 million after tax, or 
$1.74 per diluted share. 

Fiscal  Year  2006  –  $57.5  million  in  restructuring  and  impairment  charges  related  to  our  investment  in  our 
Zimbabwe operations, the closure of our Danville, Virginia processing facility, and other cost reduction initiatives, 
which  reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $46.3  million,  or  $1.80  per  diluted  share.  
Results also included significantly higher provisions for losses on uncollectible farmer advances in several African 
countries,  Brazil,  and  the  Philippines  that  reduced  pretax  earnings  by  $26.2  million  and  lower  of  cost  or  market  
inventory  charges  of  $10.2  million  related  to  African  leaf  growing  projects  that  we  decided  to  exit  in  fiscal  year 
2007.    The  total  of  these  charges  and  provisions  reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by 
$19.2 million, or $0.75 per diluted share.  In addition, significant market price declines in two commodities handled 
by our agri-products operations (almonds and sunflower seeds) resulted in $17.2 million in inventory valuation and 
purchase commitment losses that reduced income from discontinued operations and net income by $10.9 million, or 
$0.42 per diluted share.   

Fiscal Year 2005 – a $14.9 million charge to recognize fines assessed by the European Commission against two of 
the  Company’s  subsidiaries  related  to  tobacco  buying  practices  in  Spain.    The  charge  reduced  income  from 
continuing operations and net income by $14.9 million, or $0.58 per diluted share. 

Fiscal  Year  2004  –  a  $7.6  million  charge  related  to  a  customer’s  rejection  of  certain  shipments  of  tobacco  by  a 
foreign  subsidiary.    This  charge  reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $4.9  million,  or 
$0.19 per diluted share.  An additional $3.2 million charge was recorded for the rejection of additional shipments 
that occurred in the following quarter.  Results for that quarter were reported as a direct addition to retained earnings 
due to the year-end change and elimination of the foreign reporting lag.  The total charge related to the customer’s 
rejection of these shipments was $10.8 million before taxes, or $7.0 million after taxes. 

Fiscal Year 2003 – restructuring charges of $33.0 million, a charge of $12.0 million related to the settlement of a 
lawsuit, a currency remeasurement gain of $20.2 million, and asset sale gains of $6.3 million.  These items reduced  
income from continuing operations and net income by $12.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share. 

17

 
 
 
 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  

The  following  discussion  and  analysis  of  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  is  provided  to  enhance  the 
understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, Part I, Item 1, “Business” and Consolidated Financial Statements 
and the related Notes. For information on risks and uncertainties related to our business that may make past performance 
not  indicative  of  future  results,  or  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  any  forward-looking  statements,  see 
“General,” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 

OVERVIEW 

We are one of the world’s leading independent leaf tobacco merchants and processors.  Although we also have agri-
products operations, we are holding those operations for sale and consider them to be discontinued operations.  We derive 
most of our revenues from sales of processed tobacco to manufacturers of tobacco products throughout the world and from 
fees and commissions for specific services. 

During the last three fiscal years, we have been operating in an oversupply environment.  Fiscal year 2005 marked 
the beginning of the oversupply in flue-cured tobacco as worldwide production, excluding China, increased by 18%, or about 
275 million kgs.  The excess tobacco was primarily grown in Brazil where below normal tobacco quality combined with a 
stronger  currency  to  make  that  growth  less  attractive  to  manufacturers.    During  the  same  time,  a  16%  increase  in  burley 
crops, primarily in Malawi and Brazil, resulted in an oversupply of that type of tobacco as well.  By the end of fiscal year 
2007, markets are in better balance, and burley may be in short supply.  Since 2005, we have been working to reduce our 
crop  sizes  as  the  market  recovers  from  the  oversupply.    In  addition,  we  have  reduced  U.S.  capacity  by  closing  a  factory, 
completed  the  construction  of  a  factory  in  Mozambique,  reduced  overhead,  and  are  ending  our  direct  involvement  in  the 
production of flue-cured tobacco in Africa.  

Our  performance  suffered  in  fiscal  year  2006  as  a  result  of  weather  problems  in  several  countries,  which  either 
reduced  crop  quality  or  yield;  the  weakness  of  the  U.S.  dollar  against  several  foreign  currencies  in  which  we  purchase 
tobacco, which increased costs;  unusually high provisions for losses on farmer advances that arose in part because of crop 
quality;  start-up costs related to the new Mozambique factory; and a decline in sales volumes for blended strips, which were 
no longer required by our customers.  In addition, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges related to the closure of 
our  Danville,  Virginia,  tobacco  processing  facility  and  an  impairment  charge  to  reduce  our  investment  in  our  tobacco 
operations in Zimbabwe to estimated fair value following the deconsolidation of that investment for accounting purposes.    

In fiscal year 2007, we continued to work on oversupply issues and significantly reduced our growing projects in 
Africa.    We  took  several  charges  related  to  reducing  our  crop  sizes  and  our  growing  projects.    We  also  concentrated  on 
selling uncommitted inventory and improving operating margins. With the sale of most of the non-tobacco operations and the 
completion of tobacco capital projects, heavy demands for capital have diminished.  We have reduced our debt levels and 
improved our cash flow significantly.    

We will continue our efforts to improve operating results in fiscal year 2008.  We have made the decision to end our 
direct  involvement  in  various  flue-cured  growing  projects  in  Africa  and  are  taking  the  necessary  steps  to  right-size  the 
operations.   Looking ahead, we expect new challenges.  We have reduced our Brazilian flue-cured production and the quality 
of the crop is better, but smaller burley crops in Africa along with higher costs in most of the major producing areas of the 
world will present challenges for next year. The U.S. dollar continues to be weak against many currencies and although we 
work with our customers to mitigate the effect of that where we can, it remains a source of higher costs in many areas. In 
addition, in the current year, our North American operations benefited from the higher sales volume associated with the sale 
of  old-crop  burley  tobacco,  but  fiscal  year  2008  will  not  have  the  same  benefit.  Tobacco  production  in  Canada  has  fallen 
severely over the last few years and is forecast to decline by about one-third for fiscal year 2008. We are continuing to work 
to reduce our cost structure there.  Fiscal year 2008 should not see the same level of impairment and restructuring costs that 
we  have  recognized  over  the  last  two  years.    We  believe  that  we  have  been  taking  the  necessary  actions  to  improve  our 
performance for the long term.  

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

We  previously  had  operations  in  lumber  and  building  products  and  in  agri-products.    We  sold  the  lumber  and 
building products businesses, along with a portion of the agri-products operations, on September 1, 2006.  In December 2006, 
we  adopted  a  plan  to  sell  the  remaining  agri-product  operations.    The  lumber  and  building  products  operations  and  agri-
products  operations  are  reported  as  discontinued  operations  for  all  periods  in  the  accompanying  financial  statements,  and 
Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  has  been  revised  to  reflect  the 
discontinued operations. 

18

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2006 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

For  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2007,  income  from  continuing  operations  was  $80.4  million,  or  $2.52  per 
diluted share, including the effect of the restructuring and impairment charges recognized throughout the fiscal year.  Those 
charges,  which  totaled  about  $31  million,  were  primarily  composed  of  impairment  charges  on  long-lived  assets  and 
Company-managed  farming  operations  in  Africa  and,  combined  with  related  tax  effects,  reduced    net  income  by  $24.2 
million, or $0.93 per diluted share.   For last year, we reported a loss from continuing operations of $3.0 million, or $0.12 per 
share, including the effect of restructuring and impairment charges of $57.5 million, or $1.80 per diluted share.  Income from 
continuing operations showed a marked improvement over last year, reflecting better results in all segments.  Revenues for 
fiscal  year  2007  increased  by  about  13%,  to  $2  billion.    Net  income  for  the  fiscal  year,  which  includes  results  from 
discontinued operations, was $44.4 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, compared to $7.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, 
last year. 

Flue-cured and burley operations earned $172 million, up $73 million from last year.  Results of the North America 
segment improved by $15.2 million, and the primary factors causing that improvement were increased export and processing 
volumes,  cost  savings  related  to  last  year’s  closure  of  the Danville,  Virginia,  facility,  one-time  sales  of  tobacco  purchased 
from  the  stabilization  cooperatives,  and better  pricing.  The  North America  segment  also  benefited from  carryover  sales  of 
prior year tobacco.  North America revenues increased by $92 million, or 36%, principally due to sales of old crop tobacco.  
The  results  of  the  Other  Regions  segment  increased  by  $57.7  million,  primarily  due  to  better  pricing  and  sales  mix.  
Operating  improvements  were  evident  in African operations,  in Europe, and  in  South America.     In addition,  comparisons 
benefited from the absence of losses incurred in our Zimbabwe operations prior to their deconsolidation last year and lower 
remeasurement  losses  of  approximately  $11  million.    The  reduction  in  remeasurement  losses  is  partly  responsible  for  the 
reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues.  Finally, results of the Other Regions 
segment also reflected the favorable resolution of a tax case in South America that resulted in the recovery of $8.5 million in 
revenue taxes and interest.  The recovery was recorded as part of sales and other operating revenues.   Provisions for farmer 
receivables  totaled  $32  million  for  Africa  and  South  America,  compared  to  $28.5  million  in  fiscal  year  2006.    Of  these 
provisions, over half related to African leaf growing projects that we are exiting.  Results also included inventory valuation 
charges related to African flue-cured tobacco of approximately $13 million in fiscal year 2007 and $10 million in fiscal year 
2006.  Revenues of the Other Regions segment for the year increased by 9% primarily due to higher sales prices in South 
America, where we experienced increased farmer prices and a strong local currency. 

 The  Other  Tobacco  Operations  segment  also  showed  substantial  improvement  for  the  fiscal  year.    The  dark  air-
cured  operations  benefited  from  higher  sales  volumes  for  wrapper  and  increased  leaf  sales.  The  operations  also  benefited 
from  our  decisions  to  reduce  overhead  and  to  close  our  Colombia  dark  tobacco  operation.  Volume  attributed  to  our  49%-
owned Oriental tobacco joint venture was lower for the year primarily due to shipment timing.  Revenues for this segment 
increased by $17.7 million in the fiscal year. 

Interest income increased to $10.8 million from $2.1 million last year, as we invested excess cash from operations 

and from the proceeds of the Deli sale pending its use to retire debt and fund seasonal operating requirements. 

The consolidated effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, 
was approximately 45%.  The rate is higher than the 35% U.S. marginal corporate tax rate due primarily to excess foreign 
taxes  in  countries  where  the  tax  rate  exceeds  the  U.S.  tax  rate,  low  tax  benefits  provided  on  a  foreign  subsidiary  with  an 
operating  loss,  high  state  income  taxes  due  to  improved  earnings  in  the  United  States,  and  a  limited  income  tax  benefit 
provided on current year losses in Zambia. 

For  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2007,  the  loss  from  discontinued  operations  was  $36  million,  or  $1.39  per 
diluted  share.    Results  from  discontinued  operations  for  the  fiscal  year  reflected  the  operating  results  and  the  actual  and 
estimated effects of selling or adopting a plan to sell our non-tobacco businesses, the largest part of which was completed in 
the second fiscal quarter.   

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2006, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2005 

Net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, was $7.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $96 
million,  or  $3.73  per  diluted  share  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2005.  Continuing  operations  produced  a  loss  after 
taxes of $3 million or $0.12 per share in fiscal year 2006 compared to income of $68.6 million or $2.66 per share in fiscal 
year  2005.    Restructuring  and  impairment  charges  and  lower  operating  income  in  our  Other  Regions  and  Other  Tobacco 

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations  business  segments  negatively  impacted  results  for  fiscal  year  2006.  We  recorded  $57.5  million  ($46.3  million 
after taxes or $1.80 per diluted share) in restructuring and impairment charges related to the closure of our tobacco processing 
plant in Danville, Virginia, our overhead reduction program, and our investment in Zimbabwe.   

We  deconsolidated  our  operations  in  Zimbabwe  as  of  January  1,  2006,  under  U.S.  accounting  requirements  that 
apply  under  certain  conditions  to  foreign  subsidiaries  that  are  subject  to  foreign  exchange  controls  and  other  government 
restrictions.    After  deconsolidation,  we  recorded  a  non-cash  charge  of  $29.2  million  to  adjust  the  investment  in  those 
operations to estimated fair value.  There was no tax benefit associated with this charge.  The investment is now accounted 
for  using  the  cost  method  and  is  reported  on  the  balance  sheet  in  investments  in  unconsolidated  affiliates.    Business 
operations  in  Zimbabwe  were  not  impacted  by  the  financial  reporting  change  or  the  non-cash  charge,  and  we  intend  to 
continue  our  operations  there.    In  fiscal  year  2006,  we  closed  our  Danville,  Virginia,  processing  plant  and  incurred  a 
restructuring  charge  of  $26.0  million.  Additional  charges  of  $2.3  million  were  related  to  other  cost  reduction  initiatives.  
Revenues were $1.8 billion for fiscal year 2006, compared to $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2005. 

Other Regions segment results for fiscal year 2006 were down by $61.4 million, or about 45%, compared to fiscal  
year  2005  due  primarily  to  poor  results  in  South  America  and  Africa.    Higher  costs  due  to  the  relative  strength  of  the 
Brazilian  currency  and  the  poor  quality  of  the  crop,  caused  by  adverse  weather  conditions,  combined  to  reduce  operating 
margins in South America.   In Africa, results were impacted by incremental currency remeasurement  and exchange losses 
totaling  about  $17  million,  expenses  associated  with  the  factory  start-up  in  Mozambique  of  approximately  $4.2  million, 
higher overhead costs, and lower margins on burley tobacco sales due to pricing pressures associated with the overhang from 
the large Malawi burley crop in 2004.  In addition, our flue-cured growing projects in Malawi and Zambia were negatively 
impacted by low crop yields caused by inadequate rainfall.  The Zambian projects also suffered higher labor and operating 
costs generated by the substantial appreciation of the Zambian currency.  However, African results were also impacted by 
increased volume from Tanzania and from carryover shipments of the Malawi crop from fiscal year 2005.  Other Regions 
segment  results  for  fiscal  year  2006  also  included  incremental  provisions  of  about  $26.2  million  for  uncollectible  farmer 
advances,  in  several  African  countries,  Brazil,  and  the  Philippines.    Fiscal  year  2005  results  reflected  a  charge  of  $14.9 
million  for  European  Commission  fines  on  certain  of  our  subsidiaries  related  to  tobacco  buying  practices  in  Spain,  which 
reduced  results  for  that  period  by  $0.58  per  diluted  share.    In  addition,  in  our  Other  Tobacco  Operations  segment,  sales 
volumes of blended strips were lower for the year due to a sharp decline in demand for that product. 

Although overall segment operating income was down, results for the North America segment were improved.  U.S. 
operations benefited from operating efficiencies, higher sales volumes, and savings from the closing of the Danville plant.  
Tobacco  revenues  increased  for  the  year  by  about  7%  primarily  because  of  carryover  shipments  of  the  Malawi  crop  from 
fiscal year 2005 and an increase in prices for Brazilian tobacco related to the stronger Brazilian currency. 

We  did  not  record  a  charge  for  the  European  Commission  fine  of  €30  million  related  to  green  tobacco  buying 
practices in Italy, which was announced in October 2005.  Universal Corporation and its Italian subsidiary, Deltafina, were 
jointly assessed the fine after the European Commission revoked Deltafina’s conditional immunity, which had been granted 
in 2002.  Based on consultation with outside counsel, we believe that the terms of the immunity agreement were not breached 
and that immunity will be restored through the appeal of the decision in the courts.  Universal Corporation and Deltafina each 
have appealed the decision to the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. 

Selling, general,  and  administrative  expenses  increased  at a  faster  rate  than  revenues because  currency  losses  and 
charges  for  uncollectible  supplier  advances  are  included  in  that  line  item.    Lower  incentive  compensation  accruals,  lower 
executive  benefit  costs,  and  a  currency  gain  on  a  foreign  withholding  tax  refund  generated  a  reduction  in  costs  of  $6.2 
million.    Interest  expense  was  substantially  higher  for  fiscal  year  2006  due  to  higher  average  borrowing  levels  and  higher 
short-term interest rates.   

The consolidated effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2006 was about 150% compared to 43% for fiscal year 
2005. There was no tax benefit associated with the impairment charge to reduce the Company’s investment in Zimbabwe, 
which significantly increased the effective income tax rate for the year.  In addition, our effective tax rate remained above the 
statutory U.S. rate due to excess foreign taxes recorded in countries where the tax rate exceeds the U.S. rate, and local tax 
expense recorded by a foreign subsidiary with a U.S. dollar loss for fiscal year 2006.   

Results for discontinued operations declined by $16.5 million due to the ongoing pricing pressure in DIY markets 
for  lumber  and  building  products  in  the  Netherlands  as  well  as  inventory  writedowns  in  sunflower  seeds  and  almonds.  
Market conditions were favorable in the Dutch construction supply market and in rubber, cashews, and seeds. 

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting Pronouncements 

We adopted the following accounting pronouncements during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007: 

•  FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  123R,  “Share-Based  Payment”  (“SFAS  123R”), 
adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year.  SFAS 123R requires that share-based payments, such as grants of 
stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, and restricted share units, be measured at fair value 
and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite service period.  Previously, we accounted 
for  stock-based  compensation  awards  in  accordance  with  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  25, 
“Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees”  (“APB  25”)  and  did  not  recognize  significant  amounts  of 
compensation  expense  for  share-based  awards  since  fixed  stock  options  with  an  exercise  price  equal  to  the 
market price at date of grant were the primary type of awards granted.  We recorded approximately $4.2 million 
of  stock-based  compensation  expense  under  SFAS  123R  in  fiscal  year  2007.    Additional  disclosures  are 
provided in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements.  

•  FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs, and amendment of ARB No. 
43, Chapter 4” (“SFAS 151”), also adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year.  SFAS 151 amended Accounting 
Research Bulletin No. 43 (“ARB 43”) to clarify that abnormal amounts of production-related costs, such as idle 
facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials, should be recognized as current-period charges 
rather  than  being  recorded  as  inventory  cost.    SFAS  151  also  requires  that  allocation  of  fixed  production 
overhead to inventory cost be based on the normal capacity of a company’s production facilities.  The impact of 
adopting SFAS 151 was not material to our financial statements. 

•  The  recognition  and  disclosure  provisions  of  FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  158, 
“Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB 
Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”), adopted effective March 31, 2007.  The recognition 
provisions  of  SFAS  158  require  employers  who  sponsor  defined  benefit  pension  or  postretirement  plans  to 
recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of each plan as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and to 
recognize  actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  prior  service  costs  and  credits  that  are  not  included  in  pension  or 
postretirement  benefit  expense  as  a  component  of  comprehensive  income.    SFAS  158  also  has  measurement 
timing provisions that require that the funded status of plans be measured as of the balance sheet date, thereby 
eliminating the option allowed under the prior guidance to measure the funded status at a date up to 90 days 
before the balance sheet date.  The measurement timing provisions of SFAS 158 are not effective until fiscal 
years  ending  after  December  15,  2008,  and  we  have  not  yet  adopted  them.    As  a  result  of  adopting  the 
recognition provisions of SFAS 158, our liability for pensions and other postretirement benefits at March 31, 
2007, was increased by approximately $44 million, and our balance for accumulated other comprehensive loss 
was increased by approximately $29 million.  Additional disclosures related to the adoption of SFAS 158 are 
provided in Note 10. 

In addition to the accounting pronouncements adopted in fiscal year 2007, the following pronouncements have been 

issued and will become effective in future periods: 

•  FASB  Interpretation  48,  “Accounting  for  Uncertainty  in  Income  Taxes”  (“FIN  48”),  which  clarifies  the 
accounting  for  uncertainty  in  income  taxes  recognized  in  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  FASB 
Statement  No.  109,  “Accounting  for  Income  Taxes.”    FIN  48  requires  that  positions  taken  or  expected  to  be 
taken  in  tax  returns  meet  a  “more-likely-than-not”  threshold  in  order  to  be  recognized  in  the  financial 
statements.  It also provides guidance on measuring the amount of a tax position that meets the “more-likely-
than-not” criterion.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and we will adopt it 
in  the  first  quarter  of  the  fiscal  year  ending  March  31,  2008.    We  are  still  in  the  process  of  reviewing  tax 
positions throughout our worldwide organization and have not yet quantified the effect of adopting FIN 48 on 
our financial statements. 

•  FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which 
establishes  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  in  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and  expands 
disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is applicable for fiscal years beginning after November 
15, 2007.  We are reviewing the guidance in SFAS 157, but currently do not expect that it will have a material 
effect on our financial statements. 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

During fiscal year 2007, we took significant steps to improve operating cash flow and reduce debt.  We have begun 
to  see  the  results  of  those  actions.    On  September  1,  2006,  we  completed  the  sale  (the  “Deli  Sale”)  of  the  non-tobacco 
businesses managed by our wholly owned subsidiary Deli Universal Inc. (the “Deli Operations”).  Those businesses were our 
entire lumber and building products distribution segment and a portion of our agri-products segment.  The total value of the 
transaction  was  $565  million.    After  selling  and  other  expenses,  we  realized  a  net  value  of  approximately  $551  million, 
consisting of net proceeds of $397 million and the buyer’s assumption of $154 million in debt of the acquired businesses.  In 
December 2006, we approved a plan to sell the remaining non-tobacco businesses that were not part of the sale of the Deli 
Operations.  Two of these businesses have been sold, and we expect to sell the remainder within the next nine months.  Our 
financial  statements  now  report  the  operating  results  and  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  non-tobacco  businesses  as 
discontinued operations for all periods in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.   

Our  liquidity  and  capital  resource  requirements  are  predominantly  short  term  in  nature  and  primarily  relate  to 
working capital required 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.  
The  marketing  of  the  crop  in  each  geographic  area  is  heavily  influenced  by  weather  conditions  and  follows  the  cycle  of 
buying, processing, and shipping of the tobacco crop.  The timing of individual customer shipping requirements may change 
the  level  or  the  duration  of  crop  financing.    Despite  a  predominance  of  short-term  needs,  we  maintain  a  relatively  large 
portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk.   

Cash Flow 

During fiscal year 2007, we generated a significant amount of cash, including $393 million from the sale of non-
tobacco  businesses  and  other  assets,  $246  million  from  our  operations,  $70  million  from  the  issuance  of  equity,  primarily 
pursuant to employee option exercises, and $18 million from discontinued operations, net of debt retired.  After using $349 
million  to  reduce  debt,  spending  $25  million  on  capital  projects,  and  returning  $60  million  to  shareholders  in  the  form  of 
dividends, we invested the remaining cash, pending its use to retire maturing debt and fund seasonal crop needs.  At March 
31, 2007, we had $313 million in short-term cash investments. 

Working Capital 

Working  capital  at  March  31,  2007,  was  $852  million,  nearly  the  same  as  last  year’s  working  capital  of  $877 
million.  Accounts receivable increased by about $48 million.  Much of the increase was due to late shipments of African 
tobaccos,  which  had  been  delayed  by  heavy  traffic  at  the  port of  Beira  in  Mozambique.    Due  to  changes  in  the  means  of 
funding  African  operations,  accounts  receivable  – unconsolidated  affiliates  increased  by  about  $20  million  year  over  year.  
These  increases  in  accounts  receivable  were  offset  by  reductions  in  tobacco  inventories  as  we  focused  on  selling  old  crop 
leaf.  Our uncommitted tobacco inventories increased to approximately $120 million, or about 20% of tobacco inventory due 
to  the  weaker  U.S.  dollar  and  earlier  purchases  in  one  region,  compared  to  $112  million  at  March  31,  2006,  which 
represented  17%  of  tobacco  inventory.    We  do  not  consider  these  levels  excessive.    Increases  in  customer  advances  and 
deposits reduced working capital by $35 million.  The level of customer advances can vary from year to year as customers 
review  their  circumstances.    Accordingly,  we  consider  such  advances  as  borrowings  when  we  review  our  balance  sheet 
structure.  Notes payable and overdrafts decreased by $188 million as we used a portion of the proceeds from the Deli sale to 
repay short-term debt and fund seasonal crop needs.  That decrease was largely offset by the change in our current portion of 
long-term debt, which increased because a $150 million medium-term note will mature in fiscal year 2008.   

Capital Spending 

Our  capital  expenditures  are  generally  limited  to  those  that  add  value  for  the  customer,  replace  or  maintain 
equipment,  increase  efficiency,  or  position  us  for  future  growth.    Our  capital  expenditures  for  continuing  operations  were 
approximately $25.2 million in fiscal year 2007, $55.7 million in fiscal year 2006, and $78.9 million in fiscal year 2005.  In 
fiscal years 2006 and 2005, a significant portion of the capital spending was related to the construction of a new factory in 
Mozambique, which cost over $50 million.  That factory was completed and started operations in late summer 2005.  We 
have reduced capital spending to a level below depreciation.  We do not foresee that major investments in tobacco processing 
facilities will be necessary in the near term. 

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding Debt and Other Financing Arrangements 

Total  debt  and  customer  advances  decreased  by  about  $360  million  during  fiscal  year  2007,  and  total  debt  and 
customer  advances  as  a  percentage  of  total  capitalization  (including  total  debt,  customer  advances,  minority  interests,  and 
shareholders’ equity) decreased to approximately 44% from 55% at March 31, 2006.  Net of cash, total debt as a percentage 
of  total  capitalization  decreased  to  approximately  31%  at  March  31,  2007.    Total  long-term  obligations,  including  current 
maturities, decreased by $208 million to $563 million, while notes payable decreased by $188 million to $131 million.  The 
reduction in debt, excluding customer advances, is greater than the amounts shown for continuing operations on the statement 
of cash flows because of the effect of discontinued operations. 

Bank Facilities 

As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately $621 million in uncommitted lines of credit, of which approximately 
$490  million  were  unused  and  available  to  support  seasonal  working  capital  needs.    We  also  have  a  five-year  committed 
revolving credit facility totaling $500 million.  The facility will mature on January 7, 2010.  As of March 31, 2007, we had 
nothing outstanding under the revolving credit facility.  We provide for short-term needs through bilateral bank lines and our 
revolving  credit  facility,  and  we  plan  to  use  cash  balances  to  provide  for  seasonal  needs.  Under  the  terms  of  our  bank 
agreements,  we  must  maintain  certain  levels  of  tangible  net  worth  and  observe  restrictions  on  debt  levels.    We  were  in 
compliance with all such covenants at March 31, 2007.  Our long-term credit ratings are Ba1 with Moody’s Investors Service 
and BBB- with Standard & Poor’s. 

Derivatives 

From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates.  These 
agreements  typically  adjust  interest  rates  on  designated  long-term  obligations  from  fixed  to  variable.    The  swaps  are 
accounted for as fair value hedges.  At March 31, 2007, our outstanding interest rate swap agreements were not material.   

Near the end of fiscal year 2004, we entered a foreign currency swap with a third party to mitigate our exposure to 
changes in exchange rates related to a foreign currency-denominated receivable from our Dutch non-tobacco subsidiary. The 
swap converted a fixed-rate, foreign currency-denominated receivable to a fixed rate receivable denominated in U.S. dollars.  
It was accounted for as a cash flow hedge, and its notional amount was approximately 97.5 million euros ($118 million) at 
March  31,  2006.    The  swap  was  terminated  in  the  summer  of  2006  in  connection  with  the  sale  of  the  Dutch  non-tobacco 
businesses. 

We also enter forward contracts from time to time to hedge certain foreign currency exposures.  These contracts are 

marked to current market values each quarter and were not material at March 31, 2007.  

 Pension Funding 

Funds supporting our ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plans increased by $11 million to $149 million 
because of positive performance of the investment portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2006, the measurement date 
for  the  plans.    As  of  April  30,  2007,  the  market  value  of  the  fund  was  about  $169  million,  compared  to  the  accumulated 
benefit  obligation  (“ABO”) of $160  million  and  the projected  benefit  obligation (“PBO”) of $182 million.    The  ABO  and 
PBO  are  calculated  on  the  basis  of  certain  assumptions  that  are  outlined  in  Note  10  of  “Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.”  We  contributed  $15  million  to  the  fund  in  February  2007,  which  is  more  than  the  contribution  required  by 
ERISA, and we expect to make a contribution during the next year.  It is our policy to monitor the performance of the funds 
and to review the adequacy of our funding and contributions to those funds. As of March 31, 2007, the target fund allocation 
was as follows: 55% to domestic equity securities, 15% to international equity securities, and 30% to fixed income securities. 

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations 

Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2007, were as follows: 

(in millions of dollars)

Total

2008

2009-2010

2011-2012

Thereafter

Notes payable and long-term debt1......................   $
Operating lease obligations..................................  
Inventory purchase obligations:

Tobacco...........................................................  
Agricultural materials......................................  
Capital expenditure obligations...........................  
Other purchase obligations..................................  
Total

  $

$

823.5
38.2

565.1
20.0
5.6
5.2
1,457.6

$

335.8
11.9

460.8
20.0
5.6
4.4
838.5

$

$

$

120.6
16.0

$

140.3
9.7

63.7
      —   
      —   
0.3
200.6

$

26.4
      —   
      —   
0.3
176.7

$

226.8
0.6

14.2
      —   
      —   
0.2
241.8

1 Includes interest payments.  Interest payments on $131 million of variable rate debt were estimated on the basis of March 31, 2007 rates. 

In  addition  to  principal  and  interest  payments  on  notes  payable  and  long-term  debt,  our  contractual  obligations 
include operating lease payments, inventory purchase commitments, and capital expenditure commitments.  Operating lease 
obligations represent minimum payments due under leases for various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, 
as well as vehicles and equipment.  Tobacco inventory purchase obligations primarily represent contracts to purchase tobacco 
from farmers.  The amounts shown above are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yield and prices 
will depend on the quality of the tobacco delivered.  More than half of our crop year contracts to purchase tobacco are with 
farmers  in  Brazil.    Tobacco  purchase  obligations  have  been  partially  funded  by  advances  to  farmers,  which  totaled 
approximately $113 million as of March 31, 2007.   

We believe that our financial resources are adequate to support our capital needs. Those resources include cash from 
operations,  cash  balances,  the  ability  to  issue  debt  to  the  public  under our  shelf registration  statement,  and  committed  and 
uncommitted bank lines. Any excess cash flow from operations after dividends, capital expenditures, and any necessary debt 
reduction will be available to fund expansion, purchase our stock, or otherwise enhance shareholder value. 

24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS 

In  preparing  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in  the  United 
States (“GAAP”), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue, 
and  expense  amounts  reported.  These  estimates  can  also  affect  our  supplemental  information  disclosures,  including 
information  about  contingencies,  risk,  and  financial  condition.  We  believe,  given  current  facts  and  circumstances,  our 
estimates  and  assumptions  are  reasonable,  adhere  to  GAAP,  and  are  consistently  applied.  However,  changes  in  the 
assumptions  used  could  result  in  a  material  adjustment  to  the  financial  statements.  Our  critical  accounting  estimates  and 
assumptions are in the following areas:  

Inventories  

Inventories of tobacco are valued at the lower of cost or market with cost determined under the specific cost method.  
Raw materials are clearly identified at the time of purchase.  We track the costs associated with raw materials in the final 
product lots, and maintain this identification through the time of sale.  We also capitalize direct and indirect costs related to 
processing raw materials.  This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method.  
We  write  down  inventory  for  changes  in  market  value  based  upon  assumptions  related  to  future  demand  and  market 
conditions if the indicated market value is below cost. Future demand assumptions can be impacted by changes in customer 
sales, changes in customers’ inventory positions and policies, competitors’ pricing policies and inventory positions, changing 
customer  needs,  and  varying  crop  sizes  and  qualities.    Market  conditions  that  differ  significantly  from  those  assumed  by 
management could result in additional write downs.  We experience inventory write downs routinely.  Inventory write downs 
in fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005 were $17.6 million, $11.8 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. 

Advances to Suppliers and Guarantees of Bank Loans to Suppliers 

We  provide  agronomy  services  and  seasonal  crop  advances  of,  or  for,  seed,  fertilizer,  and  other  supplies.    These 
advances are short term in nature and are customarily repaid upon delivery of tobacco to us.  Primarily in Brazil and certain 
African  countries,  we  have  also  made  long-term  advances  to  tobacco  farmers  to  finance  curing  barns  and  other  farm 
infrastructure.  In Brazil, we also guarantee both short-term and long-term loans made to farmers for the same purposes.  In 
some  years,  due  to  low  crop  yields  and  other  factors,  individual  farmers  may  not  deliver  sufficient  volumes  of  tobacco  to 
repay maturing advances.  In that case, we may extend repayment of the advances into the following crop year or satisfy the 
guarantee by acquiring the loan from the bank.  In either situation, we will incur losses whenever we are unable to recover the 
full amount of the loans and advances.  At each reporting period, we must make estimates and assumptions in determining 
the valuation allowance for advances to farmers and the liability to accrue for our obligations under bank loan guarantees. 

Goodwill 

We  review  the  carrying  value  of  goodwill  as  necessary,  and  at  least  annually,  utilizing  a  discounted  cash  flow 
model.  The  preparation  of  discounted  future  operating  cash  flow  analyses  requires  significant  management  judgment  with 
respect to operating earnings growth rates and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. Neither a one-percentage-point 
increase in the discount rate assumption nor a one-percentage-point decline in the cash flow growth rate assumption would 
result  in  an  impairment  charge.  However,  significant  changes  in  estimates  of  future  cash  flows,  such  as  those  caused  by 
unforeseen events or changes in market conditions, could result in an impairment charge.  

Income Taxes  

Our  effective  tax  rate  is  based  on  our  expected  income,  statutory  tax  rates,  and  tax  planning  opportunities  in  the 
various  jurisdictions  in  which  we  operate.    Significant  judgment  is  required  in  determining  the  effective  tax  rate  and 
evaluating our tax position.  The effective tax rate is applied to quarterly operating results.  We are subject to the tax laws of 
many jurisdictions, and could be subject to a tax audit in each of these jurisdictions, which could result in adjustments to tax 
expense in future periods.  In the event that there is a significant, unusual, or one-time item recognized in our results, the tax 
attributed to that item would be recorded at the same time as the item.  For example, in fiscal year 2005, we recorded a charge 
for  certain  fines  imposed  by  the  European  Commission  that  will  not  be  deductible  for  income  tax  purposes  in  the  related 
countries where assessed.  No tax benefit was recognized on this charge, which increased the consolidated tax rate.  In fiscal 
year 2006, a similar situation arose when we recognized an impairment charge on our investment in Zimbabwe, which did 
not provide a deduction for income tax purposes.  

25

 
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
Tax regulations require items to be included in the tax return at different times than the items are reflected in the 
financial statements. As a result, our effective tax rate reflected in the financial statements is different than that reported in 
our tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not tax deductible, while others are related 
to  timing  issues,  such  as  differences  in  depreciation  methods.  Timing  differences  create  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities. 
Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns for which we 
have  already  recorded  the  tax  benefit  in  our  financial  statements.  We  record  valuation  allowances  for  deferred  tax  assets 
when  the  amount  of  estimated  future  taxable  income  is  not  likely  to  support  the  use  of  the  deduction  or  credit.    We  had 
approximately $24 million in foreign tax credit carryforwards at March 31, 2007, that are available to reduce our obligations 
to pay U.S. federal income taxes on our earnings in future years.  Those foreign tax credit carryforwards will expire at dates 
ranging from seven to ten years in the future if our earnings and current obligations to pay U.S. federal income taxes are not 
sufficient  to  allow  their  utilization  before  they  expire.    Any  significant  reduction  in  future  taxable  income,  changes in  our 
sources  of  taxable  income,  or  changes  in  U.S.  or  foreign  tax  laws  could  result  in  the  expiration  of  foreign  tax  credit 
carryforwards.  Deferred  tax  liabilities  generally  represent  tax  expense  recognized  in  our  financial  statements  for  which 
payment has been deferred or income taxes related to expenses that have not yet been recognized in the financial statements 
but have been deducted in our tax return.  

For additional disclosures on income taxes, see Notes 1 and 6 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” 

Pension  and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans  

The measurement of our pension and postretirement obligations and costs are dependent on a variety of assumptions 
determined by management and used by our actuaries. These assumptions include estimating the present value of projected 
future pension  payments  to  all  plan participants,  taking  into  consideration  the  likelihood of potential  future  events  such  as 
salary increases and demographic experience. The assumptions we have made may have an effect on the amount and timing 
of  future  contributions.  The  plan  trustee  conducts  an  independent  valuation  of  the  fair  value  of  pension  plan  assets.  The 
significant assumptions used in the calculation of pension and postretirement obligations are:  

•  Discount rate – The discount rate is based on investment yields available at the measurement date on corporate long-

term bonds rated AA. 

• 

• 

• 

Salary growth – The salary growth assumption is a factor of our long-term actual experience, the near-term outlook, 
and assumed inflation.  

Expected return on plan assets – The expected return reflects asset allocations and investment strategy.  

Retirement  and  mortality  rates  –  Retirement  rates  are  based  on  actual  plan  experience  along  with  our  near-term 
outlook.  Early  retirement  assumptions  are  based  on  our  actual  experience.    Mortality  rates  are  based  on  standard 
group annuity (RP-2000) mortality tables.  

•  Health  care  cost  trends  –  For  postretirement  medical  plan  obligations  and  costs,  we  make  assumptions  on  future 
increases in medical costs. These assumptions are based on our actual experience along with third-party forecasts of 
long-term medical cost trends.  

The effect of actual results differing from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, 

therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in such future periods.  

26

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
Sensitivity Analysis. The effect of the indicated decrease or increase in the selected assumptions is shown below, 

assuming no change in benefit levels: 

(in thousands of dollars)

Effect on

2007 Projected 
Benefit Obligation
Increase 
(Decrease) 

Effect on
Annual Expense
Increase 
(Decrease) 

Changes in Assumptions for Pension Benefits
1% increase in discount rate…………………………………………………………………………………………  $
1% decrease in discount rate…………………………………………………………………………………………  

(25,677)

$

31,310

1% increase in salary scale…………………………………………………………………………………………… 
1% decrease in salary scale…………………………………………………………………………………………  

1% increase in rate of return on assets…………………………………...…………..................…………...………  
1% decrease in rate of return on assets…………………………………………...…………..................……..……  

Changes in Assumptions for Other Postretirement Benefits
1% increase in discount rate…………………………………………………………………………………………  
1% decrease in discount rate…………………………………..……………...…………..................………………  

1% increase in medical inflation rate…………………………………………...…………..................……..………  
1% decrease in medical inflation rate……………………..…………...…………..................……………………… 

6,517

(7,668)

N/A

N/A

(4,818)

5,736

1,926
(1,720)

(2,571)

3,231

2,205

(1,858)

(2,322)

2,323

53

25

151
(131)

See  Note  10  of  “Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements”  for  additional  information  on  pension  and 

postretirement benefit plans. 

Other Estimates and Assumptions  

Other management estimates and assumptions are routinely required in preparing our financial statements, including 
the determination of valuation allowances on accounts receivable, value-added tax credits in Brazil, and the determination of 
the  fair  value  of  assets,  such  as  assets  related  to  tobacco  growing  projects  in  Africa  and  our  investment  in  our  Zimbabwe 
operations.    Changes  in  market  and  economic  conditions,  local  tax  laws,  and  other  related  factors  are  considered  each 
reporting period, and adjustments to the accounts are made based on management’s best judgment. 

27

 
 
 
 
              
                
                
                 
 
                  
                 
                
                
 
                
                 
 
 
                
                      
                  
                      
 
                  
                    
                
                   
 
 
 
  
 
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING TRENDS 
AND MANAGEMENT’S ACTIONS 

Our financial performance depends on our ability to maintain efficient operations, to receive an appropriate price for 
our products, and to secure the tobacco quality and volumes desired by our customers.  Worldwide flue-cured production by 
exporting  countries  (excluding  China)  in  fiscal  year  2007  saw  a  decline  of  about  8%  to  1.6  billion  kilos.    Flue-cured 
production declines in Brazil and Greece accounted for over 70% of the overall decrease.  In Brazil, in fiscal year 2007, we 
reduced  our  farmer  contracts  because  of  the  worldwide  oversupply  of  flue-cured  tobacco.    European  Union  flue-cured 
production  fell  as  changes  in  tobacco  subsidy  levels  reduced  production.    Flue-cured  production  by  exporting  countries 
excluding China is forecast to increase by about 4% in fiscal year 2008 despite an additional decrease in production in Brazil.  
Over half of the increase is expected to come from the United States.  After many years of falling crop sizes in the United 
States, both flue-cured and burley crops increased in fiscal year 2007 and are forecast to increase in fiscal year 2008 because 
of strong customer demand.  The world flue-cured tobacco market is expected to remain in oversupply in fiscal year 2008 but 
with uncommitted inventories moderating.  Burley crops in exporting countries (excluding China) decreased by 11% in fiscal 
year 2006 and 16% in fiscal year 2007, bringing the two-year decrease to about 16%.  Production is forecast to decline to 
about 595 million kilos in fiscal year 2008, and uncommitted inventories of burley tobaccos are expected to decrease.  During 
fiscal year 2007, farmers in Malawi protested auction pricing levels, but the early market results for fiscal year 2008 indicate 
much  stronger  pricing  for  a relatively  smaller  crop.   Any  disruption  in the  marketing of  the  crop  in Malawi  would  have  a 
significant impact on world supply of burley tobacco and on our financial results. 

We expect that near-term demand for leaf tobacco will be flat or decline slightly primarily due to the flattening trend 
in  world  cigarette  consumption  and  improved  leaf  utilization  by  cigarette  manufacturers.    The  improvements  in  leaf 
utilization  by  manufacturers  along  with  a  possible  shift  to  smokeless  products  may  mean  that  demand  for  cigarette  leaf 
tobacco  has  peaked  and  will  not  grow  with  any  growth  in  consumption.    On  a  year-to-year  basis,  we  are  susceptible  to 
fluctuations in leaf supply due to crop size and leaf demand as manufacturers adjust inventories or respond to changes in the 
cigarette market.  

We estimate that industry worldwide uncommitted flue-cured and burley inventories totaled about 145 million kilos, 
excluding inventories of Asian government-owned monopolies, at March 31, 2007, nearly the same as the prior year in total.  
However, flue-cured inventories increased while burley stocks fell.  With the change in forecast production levels in fiscal 
year 2008, it is likely that industry inventories of uncommitted stocks will decline in the coming year. 

Cigar  consumption  continues  to  grow  in  the  United  States,  while  consumption  within  the  main  European  Union 
markets has remained flat.  Within the smokeless segment of the dark tobacco business, consumption in the United States in 
calendar year 2006 of loose-leaf chewing tobacco declined by 0.3%, while the consumption of moist snuff products grew by 
about 8%.  We believe that supplies of dark tobacco are generally in balance with demand, and we believe that there is an 
adequate supply of suitable dark tobacco in the world market to meet the demand of the manufacturers of smokeless tobacco 
products.  However, supply of good quality wrapper remains tight. 

We are seeing an increase in competition from small competitors in some of the markets where we conduct business.  
These small competitors typically have lower overhead requirements.  They provide little or no support to farmers.  Due to 
their lower cost structures, they often can offer a price on products that is lower than our price.  We believe that the quality 
controls  and  social  responsibility  programs  we  provide  are  necessary  for  our  customers  and  make  our  products  highly 
competitive. For example, we have established worldwide farm programs to help to ensure that non-tobacco related materials 
are kept out of the green tobacco delivered to the factories.  In addition, we have established programs for good agricultural 
practices  and  have  been  active  in  social  responsibility  endeavors  in  many  of  the  developing  countries  in  which  we  do 
business.  However, if our customers shift significant purchases to these smaller competitors, our financial results could be 
negatively impacted.  

Efforts to expand sources of African tobacco have required investments in working capital and operating facilities.  
We have determined that tobacco volumes and prices are not sufficient for us to operate at a satisfactory return in those areas, 
and  we  are  taking  steps  to  end  our  involvement  in  the  African  flue-cured  growing  projects.    We  have  already  taken 
writedowns related to these operations. 

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
An important trend in the tobacco industry has been consolidation among manufacturers of tobacco products. For 
example,  recently,  Japan  Tobacco  Inc.  acquired  Gallaher  Group  Plc.  This  activity  is  expected  to  continue,  particularly  as 
further privatization of state monopolies occurs, providing opportunities for acquisitions by international manufacturers.  This 
concentration  trend  could  provide  additional  opportunities  for  us.    A  key  success  factor  for  leaf  dealers  is  the  ability  to 
provide  customers  with  the  quality  of  leaf  and  the  level  of  service  they  desire  at  the  lowest  cost  possible.  In  addition,  the 
international  leaf  dealers  have  larger  historical  market  shares  with  some  customers  than  with  others.  Consequently,  our 
potential growth will be affected by the growth of our major customers, and consolidation of customers may have at least a 
short-term favorable or unfavorable impact on our business.    

The  European  Union  (“E.U.”)  has  taken  action  toward  modifying  the  system  of  granting  subsidies  to  tobacco 
farmers.    The  E.U.  subsidy  makes  up  well  over  half  of  the  revenue  that  a  European  farmer  receives  on  a  tobacco  crop.  
Beginning with the 2006 crop, which will affect us in fiscal year 2008, and through the 2009 crop, 40% of the subsidy has 
been “decoupled” from production.  The “decoupling” essentially means that a farmer can receive the subsidy granted even if 
the  farmer  does  not  plant  tobacco,  so  long  as  he  keeps  the  land  associated  with  that  subsidy  in  good  agricultural  and 
environmental condition.  The 60% remaining portion of the subsidy remains subject to actual production of tobacco.  This 
means,  in  practical  terms,  that  the  total  aid  to  tobacco  farmers  remains  unchanged  for  those  who  continue;  however,  the 
incentive  to  grow  tobacco  does  change  and  some  growers  could  decide  to  discontinue  production.    In  the  subsidy  system 
applicable to the interim period (crops 2006-2009) the E.U. tobacco budget allocated to each producing country for payment 
of the “coupled” portion remains unchanged, even if total production drops within certain limits.  The farmers who continue 
to produce tobacco in countries where tobacco production declines during the interim period will receive a larger portion of 
the “coupled” subsidy than they would have if the E.U. budget had not been fixed for the interim period.   

Individual member states can increase the decoupled portion of the subsidy up to 100%.  Three of the main tobacco 
producing  countries  where  we  operate,  directly  or  indirectly,  Italy,  Spain,  and  France,  have  decided  not  to  decouple  more 
than the minimum 40% of the subsidy.  The 2006 crop contracts between farmers and processors indicate a reduction of total 
tobacco production of between 10% and 20%, mostly in the less desirable varieties and production areas, which means that 
there should be an overall improvement in average quality of the crop.  In Greece, where our joint venture, Socotab L.L.C., 
has oriental tobacco operations, the government opted to decouple 100% of the subsidy from the growing of tobacco.  We 
expect  reduction  in  crop  volumes  in  Greece  as  a  result  of  the  decoupling,  and  the  joint  venture  is  shifting  volumes  to 
Macedonia.    We  have  operations  in  two  countries,  Poland  and  Hungary,  who  joined  the  E.U.  on  May  1,  2004.    In  those 
countries, the new subsidy system will not be implemented before the 2009 crop, and in the meantime, tobacco farmers will 
receive subsidies mainly financed by the domestic budget. 

Unless the subsidy system that is in place through 2009 is extended to 2013, the decoupled portion would increase to 
50% in 2010, while the remaining 50% would be used to finance restructuring activities in the tobacco regions.  The decline 
in production will accelerate after the expiration of the interim period with the 2010 crop, unless action is taken to extend the 
system through year 2013 or alternative funds are made available at the national level.  We believe that customers continue to 
value European tobacco and that in the interim period, the major influence on the farmers’ decisions to produce tobacco will 
be the level of commercial prices for green tobaccos.  Higher farm income will depend on leaf quality and on cost reduction.  
In  addition,  confirmed  support  from  European  tobacco  product  manufacturers  will  be  crucial  to  the  long-term  viability  of 
tobacco production in Europe.   

 We believe that if farmer prices do not increase or, alternatively, if the member states do not choose to implement 
subsidies for tobacco production, the volume of tobacco produced in Europe will decline over time.  In this case, our results 
of operations could be  negatively  affected.    The recorded  value of  our equity  interests  in  long-lived  assets,  including both 
consolidated and unconsolidated operations, that could be affected by these changes was approximately $38 million at March 
31, 2007.  In addition, unrealized currency losses for tobacco operations there were $16.7 million, net of taxes, $13.5 million 
of which relates to Hungary. 

 World  markets  for  all  of  the  products  that  we  handle  are  extremely  competitive.    We  continue  to  focus  on  cost 
reductions and efficiency improvements.  In fiscal year 2006, we completed a program to eliminate $9 million in tobacco and 
corporate  overhead  costs,  some  of  which  occurred  in  fiscal  year  2006  and  the  remainder  occurred  in  fiscal  year  2007.    In 
addition, we eliminated additional corporate staff in fiscal year 2007 that will benefit fiscal year 2008.  We are also planning 
to sell aircraft based in the United States and in Africa. 

29

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Decreased  social  acceptance  of  smoking  and  increased  pressure  from  anti-smoking  groups  have  had  an  ongoing 
adverse effect on sales of tobacco products, particularly in the United States.  Also a number of foreign governments have 
taken or proposed steps to restrict or prohibit cigarette advertising and promotion, to increase taxes on cigarettes, to prohibit 
smoking in public areas, and to discourage cigarette consumption. A number of such measures are included in the Framework 
Convention on Tobacco Control, which was negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization. In some cases, 
such  restrictions  are  more  onerous  than  those  proposed  or  in  effect  in  the  United  States.    We  cannot  predict  the  extent  to 
which government  efforts  to  reduce  tobacco  consumption  might  affect  the business of  our primary  customers.  However, a 
significant  decrease  in  worldwide  tobacco  consumption  brought  about  by  existing  or  future  governmental  laws  and 
regulations would reduce demand for our products and services and could have a material adverse effect on our results of 
operations. 

 We  are  subject  to  the  tax  laws  of  many  jurisdictions,  and  from  time  to  time  contest  assessments  of  taxes  due. 
Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect our earnings, as can the resolution of various pending and 
contested tax issues. The consolidated income tax rate is also affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, 
the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and investments, local tax rates of subsidiaries, repatriation of foreign earnings, and 
our ability to utilize foreign tax credits.  In recent years, the mix of our foreign and U.S. earnings, along with other factors, 
has resulted in excess foreign tax credits which are available to be carried forward to future years to reduce our obligations to 
pay  U.S.  federal  income  taxes  on  our  earnings  in  those  years.    At  March  31,  2007,  we  had  approximately  $24  million  in 
foreign tax credit carryforwards that will expire at dates ranging from seven to ten years in the future if not utilized. 

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  

Interest Rates  

After  inventory  is  purchased,  interest  rate  risk  is  limited  in  our  business  because  customers  usually  pre-finance 

purchases or pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased for their accounts.   

Our  customers  pay  interest  on  tobacco  purchased  for  their  order.    That  interest  is  paid  at  rates  based  on  current 
markets for variable rate debt.  When we fund our committed tobacco inventory with fixed-rate debt, we might not be able to 
recover interest at that fixed rate if current market interest rates were to fall.  As of March 31, 2007, tobacco inventory of 
$596  million  included  $476  million  in  inventory  that  was  committed  for  sale  to  customers  and  $120  million  that  was  not 
committed.  Committed inventory, after deducting about $134 million in customer deposits, represents our net exposure of 
about $342 million.  We normally maintain a substantial portion of our debt at variable interest rates in order to substantially 
mitigate interest rate risk related to carrying fixed-rate debt.  However, recently we generated a large cash balance that we 
plan to use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, and thus, debt carried at variable interest rates was lower than normal at 
$181 million at March 31, 2007.  Although a hypothetical 1% change in short-term interest rates would result in a change in 
annual interest expense of approximately $2 million, all of that amount could be offset with changes in charges to customers.  
A hypothetical 1% change in interest rates would change interest income by $3 million.  Our policy is to work toward a ratio 
of  floating-rate  liabilities  to  fixed-rate  liabilities  that,  over  time,  is  reflective  of  the  relationship  between  current  and  non-
current assets.  Committed inventory is part of this relationship. 

Currency 

The international tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars, thereby limiting foreign exchange risk to that 
which is related to production costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country. We also provide farmer advances that 
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 timing of the effect of the offset may not 
occur until a subsequent quarter or fiscal year.  Most of the 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  its  net  investment  in  individual  countries.    In  these  countries,  we  are 
vulnerable to currency gains and losses to the extent that monetary assets and liabilities denominated in local currency do not 
offset each other.  We recognized $1.4 million in net exchange gains due to remeasurement for fiscal year 2007, compared to 
a $9.2 million in net exchange losses due to remeasurement for fiscal year 2006, and $1.6 million in net exchange losses due 
to remeasurement for fiscal year 2005.  We recognized $4.5 million in net exchange gains from foreign currency transactions 
in  fiscal  year  2007,  compared  to  net  exchange  losses  of  $1.8  million  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2006,  and  net 
exchange gains of $400 thousand for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.  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.    For  example,  when  we  purchased  the  Brazilian  crop  in  the  beginning  of  fiscal  year  2006,  the  local  currency  had 

30

 
 
 
 
 
appreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar.  Thus, the cost of the crop increased over that of the prior year, in U.S. dollar 
terms. 

In  certain  tobacco  markets  that  are  primarily  domestic,  we  use  the  local  currency  as  the  functional  currency.  
Examples of these domestic markets are Hungary and Poland.  In each case, reported earnings are affected by the translation 
of the local currency into the U.S. dollar. 

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. 

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, contract, or invoice determines the 
amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge.   

31

 
 
 
 
  
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32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  

(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

Sales and other operating revenues………………….……………..............………………………  $

2,007,272

  $

1,781,312

$

1,667,193

Costs and expenses

Cost of goods sold……………………………………………..…………………………… 
Selling, general and administrative expenses…………………..…………………………  
Restructuring and impairment costs…………………………………………………..…… 
European Commission fines………………………………………..……...........………… 

1,563,522
249,269
30,890
    —   

Operating income……………………………………………………..…………………………… 
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates……...……………………………… 
Interest income……...……………………………………………………………………… 
Interest expense………………………………………………………………..…………… 

Income before income taxes and other items………………………….…………………………… 
Income taxes………………………………………………………...……………………… 
Minority interests, net of income taxes…………………………………………………....  

163,591
14,235
10,845
53,794

134,877
61,126
(6,660)

1,412,209
252,376
57,463
    —   

59,264
14,140
2,056
60,787

14,673
21,933
(4,287)

1,284,331
217,722
  —   
14,908

150,232
14,967
1,123
41,599

124,723
54,198
1,969

Income (loss) from continuing operations……………………………………………….………… 

80,411

(2,973)

68,556

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes………………………….……… 

(36,059)

Net income…………………………………………...……………………………………………  

44,352

Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock………………………….…………………… 

(14,685)

10,913

7,940

    —   

27,457

96,013

    —   

Earnings available to common shareholders……………………………………………….………  $

29,667

  $

7,940

$

96,013

Earnings (loss) per common share:

Basic:

From continuing operations……………………………………………………….……   $
From discontinued operations……………………………………………………….…  
Net income………………………………………………………………….……………  $

Diluted:

From continuing operations……………………………………………………….……   $
From discontinued operations……………………………………………………….…  
Net income………………………………………………………………….……………  $

  $

2.53
(1.39)

1.14

  $

  $

2.52
(1.39)

1.13

  $

(0.12)
0.43

0.31

(0.12)
0.43

0.31

$

$

$

$

2.68
1.08

3.76

2.66
1.07

3.73

 See accompanying notes. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  

(in thousands of dollars)

Current assets

ASSETS

March 31,

2007

2006

Cash and cash equivalents…………………………………………………….......................……………..……  $
Accounts receivable, net…………………………………………………………………………………………   
Advances to suppliers, net…………………………………………………………………………………………  
Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates…………………….........................................……………..…  
Inventories—at lower of cost or market: 

   $

358,236
261,106
113,396
37,290

Tobacco……………………………………………………………………………………….................   
Other…………………………………………………………………………………..………...............   
Prepaid income taxes………………………………………………………….…………………………………   
Deferred income taxes…………………………………………………….………………………………………  
Other current assets………………………………………………….……….......................……………..………  
Current assets of discontinued operations………………………………………………….……………………   
Total current assets………………………………………………………….......................……………   

Property, plant and equipment

Land……………………………………………………………………...………………………..….……………  
Buildings…………………………………………………………………………….......................……………   
Machinery and equipment…………………………………………………………….......................……………  

Less accumulated depreciation…………………………………………………….………....................   

Other assets 

Goodwill and other intangibles…………………………….……………………………………………………   
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates……………………………..……………………………………………  
Deferred income taxes………………………………………………………………….……….…………………  
Other noncurrent assets……………………………………………………..……………………………………  
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations……………………………………………………..………………  

595,901
40,577
8,760
25,182
62,480
42,437
1,545,365

16,640
241,410
512,586
770,636
(410,478)
360,158

104,284
104,316
81,003
133,696
    —   
423,299

62,486
212,639
119,131
16,675

666,708
42,746
7,351
22,078
47,338
609,028
1,806,180

16,796
252,148
537,343
806,287
(394,830)
411,457

105,802
95,988
85,994
170,223
217,020
675,027

Total assets………………………………………..…………………………...…………………………   $

2,328,822

   $

2,892,664

34

 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
          
            
          
  
          
          
  
          
            
  
            
  
  
          
  
          
            
  
            
              
  
              
            
  
            
            
  
            
            
  
          
       
  
       
  
  
            
  
            
          
  
          
          
  
          
  
          
  
          
         
  
         
  
          
  
          
  
  
          
  
          
          
  
            
            
  
            
          
  
          
  
          
  
          
  
          
       
       
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)  

(in thousands of dollars)

Current liabilities

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Notes payable and overdrafts…………………………………………………..……………………..................   $
Accounts payable………………………………………………………………………………………...………  
Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates…………………………………………………………………… 
Customer advances and deposits………………………………………………………………………...............  
Accrued compensation……………………………………………………..……………………………………  
Income taxes payable…………………………………………………………………...………..………………  
Current portion of long-term obligations……………………………………………….…………….................  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations……………………………………………….……………..........  
Total current liabilities…………………………………………………………………………………… 

Long-term obligations………………...…………………………………………………………….……………………  
Pensions and other postretirement benefits…………………………………………………...………………................  
Other long-term liabilities……………………………...……………………………………………...…………………  
Deferred income taxes…………………………………………………..……………………………………………..… 
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations………………………………………………………………………..  
Total liabilities………………...............….....................…………………………….............................. 

March 31,

2007

2006

$

131,159
220,181
644
133,608
18,519
11,549
164,000
13,314
692,974

398,952
100,004
70,528
29,809
    —   
1,292,267

318,710
194,862
2,727
98,750
16,996
3,129
8,537
285,418
929,129

762,201
100,414
68,373
31,072
18,805
1,909,994

Minority interests……………………………………………………………………………………………...…………  

5,822

17,799

Shareholders’ equity

Preferred stock:

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares 
       authorized, none issued or outstanding……………………………………………………………… 
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value, 5,000,000
       shares authorized, 220,000 shares issued and outstanding (200,000 at March 31, 2006)…………  

Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 26,948,599 shares issued and 
outstanding (25,748,306 at March 31, 2006)………………………………………………………..…….......... 
Retained earnings………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss…………………………………………………………………………..……… 
Total shareholders' equity………………………………………………….............................................  

    —   

    —   

213,024

193,546

176,453
682,232
(40,976)
1,030,733

120,618
697,987
(47,280)
964,871

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity…………………………………………………………………  $ 

2,328,822

   $ 

2,892,664

 See accompanying notes. 

35

 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
          
          
          
          
                 
              
          
            
            
            
            
              
          
              
            
          
          
  
          
 
  
          
          
          
          
            
            
            
            
            
       
       
              
            
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
          
  
          
 
  
          
          
          
  
          
           
  
           
       
  
          
       
       
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

(in thousands of dollars)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities of Continuing Operations:

Net income………………………………………………………………………………...   $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by 
operating activities of continuing operations:

Net loss (income) from discontinued operations………………………………………… 
Depreciation…………………………………………………………………………….  
Amortization……………………………………………………………………………  
Provision for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers…………………… 
Translation (gain) loss, net……………………………………………………………… 
Deferred income taxes…………………………………………………………………… 
Minority interests………………………………………………………………………… 
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends…………………… 
Restructuring and impairment costs……………………………………………………  
Accrued liability for European Commission fines……………………………………… 
Other, net………………………………………………………………………….........  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

Accounts and notes receivable………………………………………………………  
Inventories and other assets…………………………………………………………… 
Income taxes…………………………………………………………………………  
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities……………………………………… 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations……………  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities of Continuing Operations:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment……………………………………………… 
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired……………………………………………… 
Proceeds from sale of businesses, less $21,727 cash of businesses sold………………… 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment……………………..…………… 
Other, net……………………………………………………………………………..… 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations……………… 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities of Continuing Operations:

Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net…………………………………………… 
Issuance of long-term debt……………………………………………………………… 
Repayment of long-term debt…………………………………………………………… 
Dividends paid to minority shareholders………………………………………………… 
Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock, net of issuance costs………………… 
Issuance of common stock……………………………………………………………… 
Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock………………………………  
Dividends paid on common stock……………………………………………………… 
Other……………………………………………………………………………............  
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of continuing operations……………  
Net cash provided by continuing operations………………………………………… 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

44,352

$

7,940

$

96,013

36,059
46,423
1,882
31,822
(1,416)
(654)
(6,660)
(653)
30,890
    —   
7,837

(81,254)
97,115
6,474
33,717
245,934

(25,178)
    —   
385,545
7,302
    —   
367,669

(140,406)
    —   
(208,530)
(1,893)
19,478
50,958
(14,685)
(45,423)
826
(339,675)
273,928

(10,913)
46,925
3,386
28,486
9,235
(28,653)
(4,287)
11,665
57,463
    —   
(4,138)

(541)
(145,490)
1,080
67,571
39,729

(55,743)
    —   
    —   
7,988
12,199
(35,556)

52,135
    —   
(190,032)
(2,739)
193,546
3,098
    —   
(43,716)
(973)
11,319
15,492

(27,457)
51,492
4,718
2,324
1,591
(4,710)
1,970
(3,278)
    —   
14,908
(5,565)

(22,630)
(95,115)
(1,982)
(53,209)
(40,930)

(78,898)
(2,281)
    —   
2,379
(15,058)
(93,858)

47,286
294,958
(149,069)
(3,443)
    —   
4,867
    —   
(41,452)
(853)
152,294
17,506

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
            
              
            
            
           
           
            
            
            
              
              
              
            
            
              
             
              
              
                
           
             
             
             
              
                
            
             
            
            
            
              
             
             
 
           
                
           
            
         
           
              
              
             
            
            
           
          
            
           
 
           
           
           
             
          
              
              
              
            
           
          
           
           
 
         
            
            
          
         
         
         
             
             
             
            
          
            
              
              
           
           
           
           
                 
                
                
         
            
          
          
            
            
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued) 

Cash Flows From Discontinued Operations:

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of discontinued operations……………  $
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations……………………… 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of discontinued operations…………… 
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations………………………………… 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash…………………………………………………………… 
Deconsolidation of Zimbabwe operations…………………………………………………………  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents…………………...……………………………………  
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of year………………………… 
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of year……………………… 
Less:  Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of year……………………… 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year……………………………………………………   $

Supplemental information—cash paid from continuing operations:

Interest……………………………………………………….............…………………   $

Income taxes, net of refunds……………………………………………………………   $

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

50,477
(9,589)
(23,068)
17,820
95
 —  
291,843
62,486
4,146
239

358,236

58,064

54,855

$

$

$

$

23,307
(28,206)
4,509
(390)
(128)
(6,967)
8,007
54,089
4,536
4,146

62,486

57,782

43,716

$

$

$

$

(46,025)
(34,495)
82,016
1,496
313
 —  
19,315
36,270
3,040
4,536

54,089

41,990

58,474

See accompanying notes. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

(in thousands of dollars)

2007

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

Preferred Stock:
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock:
Balance at beginning of year………………………………… $
Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred 

   stock, net of issuance costs………………………………   

Balance at end of year………………………………………

Common Stock:
Balance at beginning of year…………………………………
Issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options…… 
Accrual of stock-based compensation………………………
Balance at end of year………………………………………

Retained Earnings:
Balance at beginning of year…………………………………
Net income……………………………………………………
Cash dividends declared:
    Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock

193,546

19,478
213,024

120,618
51,593
4,242
176,453

   $

    —   

193,546
193,546

117,520
3,098
    —   
120,618

   $

112,505
5,015
    —   
117,520

697,987
44,352

$

44,352

733,763
7,940

$

7,940

679,202
96,013

$

96,013

    ($66.75 per share in 2007)……………………………… 
Common stock ($1.74 per share in 2007;

(14,685)

$1.70 per share in 2006; $1.62 per share in 2005)……  
Balance at end of year………..…………………….......……

(45,422)
682,232

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): 
Balance at beginning of year………………………………… 
From Continuing Operations:
    Translation adjustments, net of income taxes……………  
    Foreign currency hedge adjustment, net of income taxes… 
    Minimum pension liability, net of income taxes…………  
    Adjustment for the adoption of FASB Statement No. 158  

     for pensions and other postretirement benefits,  

(47,280)

8,858
1,615
16,140

8,858
1,615
16,140

     net of income taxes…………………………...……… 

(28,551)

From Discontinued Operations:
    Translation adjustments, net of income taxes……………  
    Foreign currency hedge adjustment, net of income taxes… 
    Minimum pension liability, net of income taxes…………  
Total comprehensive income (loss)…………………………  
Balance at end of year………………………………...….....  
(40,976)
Shareholders’ Equity at End of Year………………………  $ 1,030,733

(4,254)
4,195
8,301

(4,254)
4,195
8,301
79,207

$

    —   

(43,716)
697,987

(28,895)

(3,065)
(292)
(9,409)

    —   

(5,394)
1,371
(1,596)

(3,065)
(292)
(9,409)

(5,394)
1,371
(1,596)
(10,445)

$

    —   

(41,452)
733,763

(31,874)

8,790
1,109
1,592

    —   

3,376
(5,143)
(6,745)

(47,280)
964,871

$

(28,895)
822,388

$

8,790
1,109
1,592

3,376
(5,143)
(6,745)
98,992

$

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)  

2007

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

Preferred Shares Outstanding:
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock:
(in thousands of shares)
Balance at beginning of year…………………………………
Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock…………… 
Balance at end of year………………………………………

Common Shares Outstanding:
(in thousands of shares)
Balance at beginning of year……………………….…………
Issuance of common stock and exercise of

stock options………………………………………………
Balance at end of year………………………………………  

200
20
220

25,748

1,201
26,949

See accompanying notes. 

  —   
200
200

25,669

79
25,748

25,447

222
25,669

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(All dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts or as otherwise noted.)  

NOTE 1.    NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES   

Nature of Operations 

Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company”, is 
one  of  the  world’s  leading  leaf  tobacco  merchants  and  processors.    The  Company  conducts  business  in  more  than  30 
countries, primarily in major tobacco-growing regions of the world. 

Universal previously had operations in lumber and building products and in agri-products.  The lumber and building 
products  businesses,  along  with  a  portion  of  the  agri-products  operations,  were  sold  on  September  1,  2006.    In  December 
2006, the Company adopted a plan to sell the remaining agri-products operations.  One of those agri-products businesses was 
sold in January 2007, another was sold in May 2007, and the remaining business is expected to be sold during fiscal year 
2008.  The lumber and building products operations and the agri-products operations are reported as discontinued operations 
for  all  periods  in  the  accompanying  financial  statements.    See  Note  2  for  additional  discussion  of  the  Company’s 
discontinued operations. 

Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Corporation and all domestic and foreign 
subsidiaries  in  which  the  Company  maintains  a  controlling  financial  interest.    Control  is  generally  determined  based  on  a 
voting  interest  of  greater  than  50%,  such  that  Universal  controls  all  significant  corporate  activities  of  the  subsidiary.    All 
significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.  None of the Company’s investments are 
considered to be variable interest entities. 

The equity  method of accounting is used for investments in companies where Universal Corporation has a voting 
interest of 20% to 50%.  The investments are accounted for under the equity method because Universal exercises significant 
influence over those companies, but not control.  Investments where Universal has a voting interest of less than 20% are not 
significant and are accounted for under the cost method.  Under the cost method, the Company recognizes earnings upon its 
receipt of dividends.  

As of January 1, 2006, the Company deconsolidated its operations in Zimbabwe under accounting requirements that 
apply  under  certain  conditions  to  foreign  subsidiaries  that  are  subject  to  foreign  exchange  controls  and  other  government 
restrictions.    After  the  deconsolidation,  an  impairment  charge  was  recorded  to  reduce  the  net  investment  in  Zimbabwe 
operations  to  estimated  fair  value  (see  Note  3).    The  Company  is  accounting  for  the  investment  on  the  cost  method,  as 
required under the accounting guidance, and has reported it in investments in unconsolidated affiliates in the March 31, 2007 
and 2006, consolidated balance sheets.  As a regular part of its reporting, the Company reviews the conditions that resulted in 
the deconsolidation of the Zimbabwe operations to confirm that such accounting treatment is still appropriate. 

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates 

The  Company’s  equity  method  investments  and  its  cost  method  investments,  which  include  its  Zimbabwe 
operations, are non-marketable securities.  Universal reviews such investments for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recovered.  For example, the Company would 
test such an investment for impairment if the investee were to lose a significant customer, suffer a large reduction in sales 
margins,  experience  a  major  change  in  its  business  environment,  or  undergo  any  other  significant  change  in  its  normal 
business.    In  assessing  the  recoverability  of  equity  or  cost  method  investments,  the  Company  uses  discounted  cash  flow 
models.    If  the  fair  value  of  an  equity  investee  is  determined  to  be  lower  than  its  carrying  value,  an  impairment  loss  is 
recognized.    The  preparation  of  discounted  future  operating  cash  flow  analyses  requires  significant  management  judgment 
with  respect  to  future  operating  earnings  estimates  and  the  selection  of  an  appropriate  discount  rate.    The  use  of  different 
assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, 
and therefore could increase or decrease any impairment charge.  

40

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Earnings per Share  

The Company calculates basic earnings per share from continuing operations using earnings available to common 
shareholders  after  payment  of  dividends on  the  Company’s  Series  B 6.75%  Convertible  Perpetual Preferred  Stock  and  the 
weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding  during  each  period.    Diluted  earnings  per  share  from  continuing 
operations  is  computed  in  a  similar  manner  using  the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  and  dilutive  potential 
common shares outstanding.  Dilutive potential common shares are outstanding dilutive stock options and stock appreciation 
rights that are assumed to be exercised, unvested restricted share units that are assumed to be fully vested and paid out in 
shares of common stock, and shares of convertible perpetual preferred stock that are assumed to be converted when the effect 
is dilutive.  In periods when the effect of the convertible perpetual preferred stock is dilutive and these shares are assumed to 
be converted into common stock, dividends paid on the preferred stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings 
per share from continuing operations. 

In  periods  when  the  results  from  discontinued  operations  reflect  a  loss,  the  effect  of  dilutive  potential  common 
shares is antidilutive to the per-share amount of that loss.  Under the applicable financial reporting guidance, that antidilutive 
effect is shown if the effect on earnings per share from continuing operations for the period is dilutive. 

The calculations of earnings per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, are provided in 

Note 5. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents  

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash 

equivalents.  

Advances to Suppliers 

In  some  regions  where  it  operates,  the  Company  provides  agronomy  services  and  seasonal  advances  of  seed, 
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  sheet.    Primarily  in  Brazil  and  certain  African  countries,  the 
Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure.  In addition, 
due to low crop yields and other factors, in some years 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 the following crop year.  
The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  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. Total allowances were $63.4 million at March 31, 2007, and $40.4 
million at March 31, 2006, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections.  The 
allowances were increased by provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $27.0 million in fiscal year 
2007,  $27.3  million  in  fiscal  year  2006,  and  $1.0  million  in  fiscal  year  2005.    These  provisions  are  included  in  selling, 
general, and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income.  Write-downs charged against the allowances 
totaled $6.8 million in fiscal year 2007, $2.0 million in fiscal year 2006, and $0.4 million in fiscal year 2005.  Recoveries of 
amounts previously charged off were not material in fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005.  Interest on advances is recognized as 
earned; however, interest accrual is discontinued when an advance is not expected to be fully collected.  The Company had 
certain farmer loans with a total outstanding principal balance of approximately $33 million and $45 million at March 31, 
2007  and  2006,  respectively,  that  were  considered  impaired.    Approximately  $24  million  of  the  $63.4  million  in  total 
allowances at March 31, 2007, and $17 million of the $40.4 million in total allowances at March 31, 2006, related to those 
loans. 

41

  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Inventories 

Tobacco inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Raw materials primarily consist of unprocessed leaf 
tobacco, which is clearly identified by type and grade at the time of purchase.  The Company tracks the costs associated with 
this  tobacco  in  the  final  product  lots,  and  maintains  this  identification  through  the  time  of  sale.    This  method  of  cost 
accounting  is  referred  to  as  the  specific  cost  or  specific  identification  method.    The  predominant  cost  component  of  the 
Company’s  inventories  is  the  cost  of  the  unprocessed  tobacco.    Direct  and  indirect  processing  costs  related  to  these  raw 
materials are capitalized and allocated to inventory in a systematic manner.  The Company does not capitalize any interest or 
sales-related costs in inventory.  Freight costs are recorded in cost of goods sold.  Other inventories consist primarily of seed, 
fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies, and are valued principally at the lower of average cost or market.  Inventory 
valuation allowances for damaged or slow-moving items were $8.6 million and $6.4 million at March 31, 2007 and 2006, 
respectively. 

Property, Plant and Equipment  

Depreciation  of  plant  and  equipment  is  based  upon  historical  cost  and  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets. 
Depreciation  is  calculated  using  the  straight-line  method.  Buildings  include  tobacco  processing  and  blending  facilities, 
offices, and warehouses. Machinery and equipment consists of processing and packing machinery and transportation, office, 
and  computer  equipment.  Estimated  useful  lives  range  as  follows:  buildings—15  to  40  years;  processing  and  packing 
machinery—3 to 11 years; transportation equipment—3 to 10 years; and office and computer equipment—3 to 10 years.  The 
Company capitalized interest of approximately $800 thousand in fiscal year 2006 and $500 thousand in fiscal year 2005 on 
the construction of a tobacco processing facility in Mozambique.  No interest was capitalized in fiscal year 2007. 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles  

Goodwill and other intangibles include principally the excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the 
net assets.  Goodwill is carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  The Company uses discounted cash flow models to estimate 
the fair value of goodwill. The preparation of discounted future operating cash flow analyses requires significant management 
judgment with respect to operating earnings estimates, and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different 
assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, 
and could increase or decrease any impairment charge.  

Based on applicable accounting guidance, the Company reallocated goodwill to revised reporting units during fiscal 
year  2007  in  conjunction  with  redefining its  operating  segments.    Following  the  reallocation,  a  $1.7  million  pretax  charge 
was  recorded  to  write  off  goodwill  that  was  impaired.    No  charges  for  goodwill  impairment  were  recorded  in  fiscal  years 
2006 or 2005.   

Impairment of 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.    Potential  impairment  is  initially  assessed  by 
comparing  management’s  undiscounted  estimates  of  future  cash  flows  from  the  use  or  disposition  of  the  assets  to  their 
carrying value.  If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the 
carrying value to the discounted value of the estimated future cash flows.  

Income Taxes  

The Company provides deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the book and tax basis of its assets 
and  liabilities.  Those  differences  arise  principally  from  employee  benefit  accruals,  depreciation,  deferred  compensation, 
undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries not permanently reinvested, 
restructuring and impairment costs, and valuation allowances on farmer advances and ICMS tax credits.  At March 31, 2007, 
the cumulative amount of permanently reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries, on which no provision for U.S. income 
taxes had been made, was approximately $53 million.  

42

 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reported in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated 

statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and consists of: 

2007

March 31,
2006

2005

From continuing operations:
Translation adjustments

Before income taxes……………………….………….………………………………....…   $
Allocated income taxes…………………………..…………….……………………………  

(16,585)

   $

(30,136)

   $

               2,059    

               6,753    

(25,472)
              5,154 

Foreign currency hedge adjustment

Before income taxes………………………………………………....………………………  
Allocated income taxes…………………………………………….....…….………………  

               3,741 
             (1,309)

               1,229 
                (412)

              1,706 
                (597)

Pension and other postretirement benefits:

Minimum pension liability (before the adoption of SFAS 158)

Before income taxes………………………………………………........…………….   
Allocated income taxes…………………………………………….....…………….…  

                (509)
                  178 

           (25,341)
               8,869 

           (10,866)
              3,803 

Adjustment to recognize funded status of pension and other
postretirement benefit plans upon adoption of SFAS 158

Before income taxes………………………………………………….....……………   
Allocated income taxes………………………………………………......……….……  

(44,153)
15,602

  —   
  —   

  —   
  —   

Total from continuing operations…………………………………………….…………………   

(40,976)

(39,038)

(26,272)

From discontinued operations:
Translation adjustments

Before income taxes……………………….………………………….……………………  
Allocated income taxes…………………………..……………………….…………………  

  —   
  —      

6,544

             (2,290)   

14,843
             (5,195)

Foreign currency hedge adjustment

Before income taxes……………………………………………….......………….…………  
Allocated income taxes……………………………………………......……………………  

  —   
  —   

             (6,454)
               2,259 

             (8,561)

2,995

Pension and other postretirement benefits:

Minimum pension liability (before the adoption of SFAS 158)

Before income taxes………………………………………………........…………….   
Allocated income taxes…………………………………………….....…………….…  

Total from discontinued operations………………………………………………......……….…  

  —   
  —   

  —   

           (12,771)

           (10,315)

4,470

3,610

(8,242)

(2,623)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss………………………………………………..………  $

(40,976)

$

(47,280)

$

(28,895)

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, in recording the loss on the sale of most of its non-tobacco operations, 
the Company recognized in loss from discontinued operations and in net income the following amounts previously recorded 
in accumulated other comprehensive loss:  foreign currency translation adjustment gains of $13.3 million, less $4.1 million in 
allocated income taxes; minimum pension liability charges of $12.8 million, less $4.5 million in allocated income taxes; and 
foreign currency hedge adjustment losses of $7.2 million, less $2.5 million in allocated income taxes. 

43

 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
           
           
          
  
 
 
 
 
 
           
            
           
           
          
  
 
 
              
            
  
 
              
 
 
              
              
             
            
  
           
           
          
  
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments  

The  fair  values  of  the  Company’s  long-term  obligations,  disclosed  in  Note  8,  have  been  estimated  using  market 
prices where they are available and discounted cash flow analyses based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar 
classes  of  borrowers  and  borrowing  arrangements.  The  carrying  amount  of  all  other  assets  and  liabilities  that  qualify  as 
financial instruments approximates fair value.  

Derivative Financial Instruments  

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign 
currency exchange contracts are used from time to time to minimize interest rate and foreign currency risk. The Company 
enters  into  such  contracts  only  with  financial  institutions  of  good  standing,  and  the  total  credit  exposure  related  to  non-
performance by those institutions is not material to the operations of the Company.  

All interest rate swaps have been accounted for as fair value hedges. The Company recorded deferred gains on the 
termination of certain interest rate swaps totaling $4.0 million in fiscal year 2005.  These gains are being amortized to interest 
expense  over  the  maturities  of  the  debt  instruments  that  were  hedged.  No  material  amounts  were  recorded  in  net  income 
during 2007, 2006, or 2005 due to hedge ineffectiveness.  The Company had approximately $50 million principal amount of 
fixed rate debt hedged with interest rate swaps at March 31, 2007. 

Translation and Remeasurement of Foreign Currencies  

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the local currency as the functional currency are translated 
into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each 
reporting  period  for  results  of  operations.  Adjustments  resulting  from  translation  of  financial  statements  are  reflected  as  a 
separate component of comprehensive income or loss.  

The  financial  statements  of  foreign  subsidiaries  having  the  U.S.  dollar  as  the  functional  currency,  with  certain 
transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currency amounts 
into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement adjustments that are included in net income.  The Company recognized net exchange 
gains  due  to  remeasurement  of  $1.4  million  in  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2007,  and  net  exchange  losses  due  to 
remeasurement  of  $9.4  million  and  $1.5  million  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2006  and  2005,  respectively.    The 
Company recognized $4.5 million in net exchange gains from foreign currency transactions for the fiscal year ended March 
31, 2007, $1.8 million in net exchange losses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, and $400 thousand in net exchange 
gains for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.  

The Company’s policy is to use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency for its consolidated subsidiaries located in 
countries  with  highly  inflationary  economies  and  to  remeasure  any  transactions  of  those  consolidated  subsidiaries 
denominated  in  the  local  currency.    The  Company  currently  operates  in  only  one  country,  Zimbabwe,  whose  economy  is 
classified  as  highly  inflationary  under  applicable  accounting  guidance.    As  discussed  above,  the  operations  in  Zimbabwe 
were deconsolidated in fiscal year 2006 and are accounted for under the cost method.  

Revenue Recognition  

Revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss are passed to the customer, and the earnings process is complete.  
The majority of the revenue recognized is based on the physical transfer of products to customers.  The products delivered to 
customers can be readily inspected and approved for acceptance.  Universal also processes tobacco owned by its customers, 
and revenue is recognized when the processing is completed. 

44

 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Stock-Based Compensation 

Universal adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2007.  Under SFAS 123R, share-
based  payments,  such  as  grants  of  stock options,  stock appreciation rights,  restricted shares, and  restricted  share units,  are 
measured at fair value and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite service period.  The Company 
adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method.  Under this method, the Company began recognizing 
fair value compensation expense as of the date SFAS 123R was adopted, but did not restate prior periods.  Through fiscal 
year  2006,  the  Company  accounted  for  stock-based  compensation  under  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  25, 
“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations (“APB 25”).  Under APB 25, compensation expense 
was not recognized on fixed stock options issued by the Company since the exercise price equaled the market price of the 
underlying shares on the date of grant.  Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based 
Compensation”  (“SFAS  123”)  and  No.  148,  “Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation  –  Transition  and  Disclosure” 
(“SFAS 148”) required companies that apply APB 25 to disclose pro forma net income and basic and diluted earnings per 
share  as  if  the  fair  value  measurement  and  recognition  methods  in  SFAS  123  had  been  applied  to  all  awards.    Additional 
disclosures related to stock-based compensation and the adoption of SFAS 123R are included in Note 12. 

Estimates and Assumptions  

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United 
States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements 
and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  

Accounting Pronouncements  

Universal adopted the following accounting pronouncements during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007: 

•  SFAS  123R,  “Share-Based  Payment,”  adopted  at  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year  and  discussed  above  under 

“Stock Based Compensation” and in Note 12; 

•  FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs, and amendment of ARB No. 
43, Chapter 4” (“SFAS 151”), also adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year.  SFAS 151 amended Accounting 
Research Bulletin No. 43 (“ARB 43”) to clarify that abnormal amounts of production-related costs, such as idle 
facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials, should be recognized as current-period charges 
rather  than  being  recorded  as  inventory  cost.    SFAS  151  also  requires  that  allocation  of  fixed  production 
overhead to inventory cost be based on the normal capacity of a company’s production facilities.  The impact of 
adopting SFAS 151 was not material to the Company’s financial statements. 

•  The  recognition  and  disclosure  provisions  of  FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  158, 
“Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB 
Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”), adopted effective March 31, 2007.  The recognition 
provisions  of  SFAS  158  require  employers  who  sponsor  defined  benefit  pension  or  postretirement  plans  to 
recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of each plan as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and to 
recognize  actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  prior  service  costs  and  credits  that  are  not  included  in  pension  or 
postretirement  benefit  expense  as  a  component  of  comprehensive  income.    SFAS  158  also  has  measurement 
timing provisions that require that the funded status of plans be measured as of the balance sheet date, thereby 
eliminating the option allowed under the prior guidance to measure the funded status at a date up to 90 days 
before the balance sheet date.  The measurement timing provisions of SFAS 158 are not effective until fiscal 
years ending after December 15, 2008 and have not yet been adopted by the Company.  Additional disclosures 
related to the adoption of SFAS 158 are provided in Note 10. 

45

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

In addition to the accounting pronouncements adopted in fiscal year 2007, the following pronouncements have been 

issued and will become effective in future periods: 

•  FASB  Interpretation  48,  “Accounting  for  Uncertainty  in  Income  Taxes”  (“FIN  48”),  which  clarifies  the 
accounting  for  uncertainty  in  income  taxes  recognized  in  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  FASB 
Statement  No.  109,  “Accounting  for  Income  Taxes.”    FIN  48  requires  that  positions  taken  or  expected  to  be 
taken  in  tax  returns  meet  a  “more-likely-than-not”  threshold  in  order  to  be  recognized  in  the  financial 
statements.  It also provides guidance on measuring the amount of a tax position that meets the “more-likely-
than-not” criterion.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and will be adopted 
by Universal in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.  The Company is still in the process of 
reviewing tax positions throughout its worldwide organization and has not yet quantified the effect of adopting 
FIN 48 on its financial statements. 

•  FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which 
establishes  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  in  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and  expands 
disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is applicable for fiscal years beginning after November 
15, 2007.  The Company is reviewing the guidance in SFAS 157, but currently does not expect that it will have 
a material effect on its financial statements. 

Reclassifications  

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.  

NOTE 2.    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Universal implemented the following actions to divest all of its non-

tobacco operations: 

• 

In the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the sale of the Company’s lumber and building products segment and 
a portion of its agri-products segment (the “Deli Operations”) was approved, contractually agreed to with the 
buyer, and completed. 

•  On December 12, 2006, a plan to sell the remaining businesses in the agri-products segment was approved and 
is expected to be completed within the next nine months.  Those businesses were classified as “held for sale” as 
of that date.  The sale of one of the agri-products businesses was completed in January 2007, and the sale of 
another was completed in May 2007. 

As  a  result  of  these  actions,  the  Company’s  worldwide  leaf  tobacco  business  now  represents  its  continuing 
operations.    The  operating  results  and  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  non-tobacco  businesses  are  reported  as  discontinued 
operations for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.   

Sale of Deli Operations 

On September 1, 2006, Universal completed the sale of the non-tobacco businesses managed by its wholly-owned 
subsidiary,  Deli  Universal,  Inc.  (“Deli”)  to  NVDU  Acquisition,  B.V.,  a  newly  formed  entity  owned  by  affiliates  of  a 
Netherlands-based merchant bank, a Netherlands-based private company, and managers of the businesses that were sold.  As 
discussed above, those businesses comprised the Company’s entire lumber and building products segment and a portion of its 
agri-products segment.  The total value of the transaction was approximately $565 million.  After selling and other expenses, 
Universal realized a net value of $551 million, consisting of net cash proceeds of $397 million and the buyer’s assumption of 
$154 million of debt with the acquired businesses.  The Company recorded a net loss on the sale of $35.0 million, consisting 
of a pretax loss of $34.1 million and income tax expense of $0.9 million primarily related to net deferred tax assets that will 
not be realized as a result of the sale.   The sales price and loss on sale are subject to adjustment based on final settlement 
under the terms of the agreement with the buyer.  

46

 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Plan to Sell Remaining Agri-Products Operations 

In December 2006, Universal approved a plan to sell the remaining non-tobacco agri-products businesses that were 
not  part  of  the  sale  of  the  Deli  Operations.    The  Company  expects  to  complete  the  sale  of  these  businesses  in  multiple 
transactions  within  the  next  nine  months.    A  pretax  impairment  charge  of  $11.1  million  was  recorded  to  reduce  the 
Company’s  aggregate  net  investment  in  two  of  the  businesses  to  estimated  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell.    Based  on  its 
consolidated income tax position, the Company does not expect to realize a tax benefit on the expected loss on the sale of 
these businesses and did not record an income tax benefit on the impairment charge.  As noted above, the sale of one agri-
products business was completed in January 2007 at a small gain that was not material to the results of operations or financial 
condition of the Company.  In May 2007, subsequent to year end, the sale of another agri-products business was completed at 
a price approximating the net book value after impairment. 

Amounts Reported as Discontinued Operations in the Accompanying Financial Statements 

The  consolidated  statements  of  income  reflect  the  following  income  (loss)  from  discontinued  operations,  net  of 

income taxes, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, as discussed in more detail herein: 

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 
2006

2007

2005

Operating results of discontinued operations, net of income taxes………………………..………    $                8,987     $              10,913 
Net loss on sale of businesses and impairment charge on businesses

$              27,457 

held for sale, net of income taxes…………………………..……………………………… 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes…………………………..………  $

(45,046)
(36,059)

  $

    —   
10,913

$

    —   
27,457

The operating results for the Company’s discontinued non-tobacco operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 

2007, 2006, and 2005, were as follows: 

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 
2006

2005

2007 (a)

Sales…………………..………….……………………………….......……………………….......    $
Costs and expenses…………………..………….……………………………….......……………   
Income before income taxes and other items…………………………..…………………………… 
Income taxes…………………..………….……………………………….......……………………  
Minority interests, net of income taxes…………………..………….………………………………  
Operating results of discontinued operations, net of income taxes…………………………..…… $

929,835
907,656
             22,179 

   $

1,727,964
1,704,314
             23,650 

$

1,607,741
1,566,511
             41,230 

12,346
846
8,987

$

12,470
267
10,913

$

13,999
(226)
27,457

(a)    Deli Operations were sold on September 1, 2006, and one of the remaining agri-products businesses was sold in January 2007.

Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, reflect those operations for only the period prior to sale.

As required under the applicable accounting guidance, the results shown above do not reflect depreciation expense 
after  July  6,  2006,  for  the  Deli  Operations  and  December  12,  2006,  for  the  other  agri-products  operations,  which  are  the 
respective dates they were classified as “held for sale.”  This increased the earnings of the discontinued operations for the 
fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, by approximately $3.4 million before taxes and $2.3 million after taxes.  In addition, as 
permitted under the accounting standards, the Company has allocated interest expense to the discontinued operations for all 
periods based on the ratio of the net assets of those operations to consolidated net assets.  Total interest allocated in addition 
to direct third-party interest incurred was $6.9 million for the portion of fiscal year 2007 before the sale of the businesses, 
$15.9 million for fiscal year 2006, and $13.0 million for fiscal year 2005. 

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  discontinued  non-tobacco  operations  reflected  in  the  accompanying  consolidated 

balance sheets as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, were composed of the following: 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

March 31, 

2007 (b)

2006

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents…………………………..……………………………………........………….…………  $                   240 
Accounts receivable, net…………………………..……………………………………........………….…………… 
             16,656 
Inventories:

Lumber and building products…………………..………….……………………………….......………………   
Agri-products…………………..………….…………………………..………………………………….......…   
Other current assets…………………………..………………………..…………………………………………...  
Total current assets…………………..………….……………………………….......………………………......   
Property, plant and equipment, net…………………………..……………………………………........………….  
Goodwill and other intangibles…………………………..……………………………………........………….…… 
    —   
Other noncurrent assets…………………………..……………………………………........………….…………… 
                  571 
Total noncurrent assets…………………..………….……………………………….......………………………   
               2,421 
Total assets…………………..………….……………………..……………………………………….......……   $              42,437 

    —   
22,499
                  621 
             40,016 
               1,850 

$                4,146 
           253,374 

170,331
165,822
             15,355 
           609,028 
           170,640 
             30,328 
             16,052 
           217,020 

$            826,048 

Liabilities

Notes payable and overdrafts…………………………..……………………………………........………….………  $                   492 
Accounts payable…………………………..………………………..………………………………………….......  
             11,712 
Other current liabilities…………………………..……………………………………........………….…………… 
                  843 
Total current liabilities…………………..………….……………………………….......………………………   
             13,047 
Other long-term liabilities…………………………..………………………………..……………………………… 
                  267 
Deferred income taxes…………………………..………………………..………………………………………… 
    —   
Total noncurrent liabilities…………………..………….……………………………….......……………………  
                  267 
Total liabilities…………………..………….…………………………..………………………………….......…   $              13,314 

$            129,891 
           137,870 
             17,657 
           285,418 
             12,855 
               5,950 
             18,805 

$            304,223 

(b)    Balances for agri-products operations not yet sold, but classified as "held for sale" at March 31, 2007, are

reported as current assets and current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at that date.

NOTE 3.    RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS 

During  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2007  and  2006,  Universal  recorded  restructuring  and  impairment  costs 

related to several different activities and components of its business operations. 

Impairment Costs Recorded During the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007 

The Company recorded impairment costs during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, totaling approximately $30.9 
million  before  tax,  $24.2  million  after  minority  interests  and  related  tax  effects,  or  $0.93  per  share,  related  to  flue-cured 
tobacco growing projects in Zambia and Malawi, as well as certain equipment and goodwill. 

Impairment Charges on Flue-Cured Tobacco Growing Projects in Zambia and Malawi 

Since  fiscal  year  2002,  Universal  has  invested  in  various  tobacco  growing  projects  in  several  African  countries.  
Some  of  these  projects  involved  the  establishment  and  operational  start-up  of  medium  or  large-scale  farms.    The  primary 
objective of the projects was to replace a portion of the volumes lost in recent years from the significant decline in production 
of  flue-cured  tobacco  in  Zimbabwe  and  thus  continue  to  meet  customer  demand  for  African-origin  flue-cured  tobacco.  
Normally,  several  crop  years  are  required  to  assess  whether  a  growing  project  will  be  able  to  consistently  meet  planned 
production levels. 

48

 
  
 
 
    
 
 
  
  
 
  
          
            
  
          
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

During  fiscal  year  2007,  progress  toward  completion  of  the  latest  crop  cycle  allowed  the  Company  to  begin 
evaluating those African flue-cured growing projects having sufficient history to make a reliable assessment of longer-term 
production potential.  In connection with that review, the Company reduced its estimates of expected longer-term crop yields 
and related future cash flows for certain growing projects in Zambia, based on actual yields achieved since inception of the 
projects  and  other  operational  factors.    Carrying  values  of  the  assets  were  also  reviewed  for  potential  impairment  using 
undiscounted  cash  flow  estimates.    Based  on  its  review,  the  Company  determined  that  those  growing  project  investments 
were impaired and recorded a charge of $12.3 million in the first quarter to reduce the carrying values of the related long-
lived assets to estimated fair value based on the discounted cash flows.  Based on the Company’s outlook on its overall tax 
position, no income tax benefit was recorded on the charge, and therefore, it reduced the Company’s net income by $12.3 
million, or $0.47 per share.  Also as a result of this review, the Company recorded a valuation allowance in the quarter ended 
June  30,  2006,  for  deferred  tax  assets  related  to  prior  year  operating  losses  in  Zambia  that  reduced  net  income  by  an 
additional $4.9 million, or $0.19 per share.  Additional discussion of this valuation allowance is provided in Note 6. 

Also  as  a  result  of  its  review  of  African  flue-cured  growing  projects,  the  Company  made  the  decision  during  the 
fourth  quarter  to  discontinue  crop  production  on  a  large  flue-cured  growing  project  in  Malawi  and  pursue  the  sale  of  the 
leasehold interest in the land, as well as the related farm improvements, infrastructure, and equipment, to one or more third-
party farmers who would be expected to continue growing tobacco on all or a portion of the land.  Based on discussions with 
interested and qualified buyers, the Company recorded an impairment charge in the fourth quarter to adjust the carrying value 
of the growing project assets to estimated fair value less cost to sell.  Together with some small asset impairments in Zambia 
related to actions taken to exit flue-cured growing projects there, the charge totaled approximately $12.9 million before tax.  
After minority interests and income tax effects, the charge totaled approximately $3.3 million, or $0.13 per share. 

The  impaired  assets  in  Zambia  and  Malawi  are  included  in  segment  assets  for  flue-cured  and  burley  leaf  tobacco 
operations – Other Regions in Note 14.  Zambia, Malawi, and other African countries remain important sources of flue-cured 
tobacco, and Universal expects to continue procuring tobacco grown by farmers in those origins.  However, the Company 
does  not  expect  to  continue  operating  flue-cured  growing  projects  or  providing  seasonal  crop  financing  to  commercial 
farmers for flue-cured tobacco production there. 

Impairment of Equipment and Goodwill 

In  the  third  and  fourth  quarters  of  fiscal  year  2007,  the  Company  recorded  charges  for  the  impairment  of  certain 
equipment  and  goodwill.    In  the  third  quarter,  a  charge  of  $1.8  million  was  recorded  for  the  impairment  of  leaf  tobacco 
processing  equipment  previously  used  at  the  Company’s  Danville,  Virginia  processing  facility,  which  was  closed  in 
December 2005, as discussed in more detail below.  Plans to redeploy that equipment at another Universal processing facility 
changed, and it will now be sold.  Also in the third quarter, in conjunction with redefining its operating segments to reflect 
the continuing operations in the leaf tobacco business, the Company reallocated its goodwill to revised reporting units based 
on applicable accounting guidance.  Following the reallocation, a $1.7 million charge was recorded to write off goodwill that 
was impaired.  In the fourth quarter, a charge of $2.2 million was recorded for the impairment of an aircraft being marketed 
for sale.  On a combined basis, these charges totaled $5.7 million before tax, $3.7 million after tax, or $0.14 per diluted share. 

Restructuring and Impairment Costs Recorded During the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2006 

During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2006,  the  Company  recorded  restructuring  and  impairment  costs  totaling 
approximately $57.5 million before tax, $46.3 million after tax, or $1.80 per share.  The restructuring costs ($7.1 million) and 
a portion of the impairment costs ($21.2 million) were associated with decisions to close a leaf tobacco processing facility 
and  to  implement  certain  other  cost  reduction  initiatives.    The  remaining  impairment  costs  ($29.2  million)  resulted  from 
adjusting the Company’s investment in its operations in Zimbabwe to estimated fair value following deconsolidation of that 
investment.  

49

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Closure of Danville Processing Facility and Other Cost Reduction Initiatives 

The components of the pretax charge related to the facility closure and other cost reduction initiatives are as follows: 

Closure of
Danville

Processing
Facility

Other Cost

Reduction
Initiatives

Total

Restructuring costs:

One-time termination benefits (involuntary)…………………………………………..………  $                1,746 
Special termination benefits (voluntary)…………………………………………..………… 
               2,963 
Other costs……………………………….……………….………………………………….  
85
               4,794 

$                1,095 
                  551 
                  611 
               2,257 

$                2,841 
               3,514 
                  696 
               7,051 

Impairment costs:

Land, building and equipment…………………………………………………..…………… 

             21,240 

        —   

             21,240 

Total restructuring and impairment costs…………………………………………………...………  $              26,034 

$                2,257 

$              28,291 

During  the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2006,  the  Company  decided  to  close  its  leaf  tobacco  processing  facility  in 
Danville,  Virginia,  and  consolidate  all  of  its  flue-cured  and  burley  tobacco  processing  in  the  United  States  into  its  Nash 
County, North Carolina factory.  The closure of the Danville facility, which was effective in December 2005, was the result 
of the significant decline in U.S. tobacco production since 2000.  The related restructuring and impairment cots are associated 
with the Company’s reportable segment for the North America region of its flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations; 
although  they  are  not  defined  as  a  component  of  segment  operating  income.    The  Company  also  undertook  various  cost 
reduction  initiatives,  including  voluntary  and  involuntary  staff  reductions  in  the  United  States  and  the  closure  of  two 
administrative offices outside the U.S. 

The one-time termination benefits outlined above were paid to 353 employees, including 32 full-time employees and 
313  hourly  employees  whose  positions  were  eliminated  upon  closure  of  the  Danville  facility.    The  special  termination 
benefits  have been or  will  be  paid  to  31  employees  who  accepted  voluntary  separation  offers,  the  majority  of  which  were 
made to employees at the Nash County factory to reduce the workforce there following the transfer of certain employees to 
that  facility  from  the  Danville  factory.    The  other  restructuring  costs  represented  lease  costs  on  vacated  office  space  and 
employee relocation costs associated with the above actions. 

The impairment costs outlined above represented adjustments to write down the carrying value of the land, building, 
and equipment at the Danville facility to fair value.  The Company offered the land and building for sale and adjusted their 
carrying  value  to  estimated  fair  value,  based  on  information  provided  by  outside  brokers  and  on  the  Company’s  recent 
experience selling other leaf tobacco facilities in the United States.  The land and building were sold during fiscal year 2007 
at a price approximating their adjusted carrying value.  Certain equipment at the Danville facility was and is expected to be 
redeployed to other locations, although, as discussed above, plans to redeploy a portion of that equipment changed in fiscal 
year  2007  and  an  additional  impairment  charge  was  recorded  as  a  result  of  that  decision.    Based  on  the  Company’s 
impairment  review,  the  carrying  value  of  the  equipment  to  be  redeployed  is  supported  by  the  estimated  future  cash  flows 
associated with the use of the equipment at the new locations.  The remaining equipment has been and is expected to be used 
for  replacement  parts,  or  sold  for  alternative  use  or  scrap,  and  was  written  down  to  the  related  values  estimated  by  two 
outside sources.  Should the Company decide not to redeploy any portion of the remaining designated equipment from the 
Danville facility to other locations, that equipment would likely be used for replacement parts, or sold for alternative use or 
scrap, and additional impairment costs could be incurred. 

The $28.3 million in pre-tax restructuring and impairment costs associated with the Danville facility closure and the 
other cost reduction initiatives reduced fiscal year 2006 income from continuing operations and net income by $17.1 million, 
or $0.66 per diluted share.  The impaired assets that had not been sold as March 31, 2007 or 2006 are included in segment 
assets for flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations – North America in Note 14. 

50

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
                   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

The  following  is  a  reconciliation  of  the  Company’s  liability  for  the  above  restructuring  costs  through  March  31, 

2007: 

One-Time

and Special

Termination
Benefits

Other Costs

Total

Costs and payments during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006:

Costs charged to expense………………………………………………………………………  $

6,355

  $

696

$

Payments……………………………………………………………………………………… 

Balance at end of year………………………………………………………………………… 

Payments during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007…………………………………………… 

Balance at end of year…………………………………………………………………………  $

(1,744)

4,611

(3,280)
1,331

  $

(261)

435

(245)
190

$

7,051

(2,005)

5,046

(3,525)
1,521

The payments for termination benefits were made to 374 employees during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, 
and 36 employees during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.  Substantially all of the restructuring liability at March 31, 
2007, will be paid during the next twelve months. 

Investment in Zimbabwe Operations 

As discussed in Note 1, the Company deconsolidated its operations in Zimbabwe as of January 1, 2006, under U.S. 
accounting  requirements  that  apply  under  certain  conditions  to  foreign  subsidiaries  that  are  subject  to  foreign  exchange 
controls and other government restrictions.  After deconsolidation, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of 
$29.2 million to adjust the investment in those operations to estimated fair value.  No income tax benefit was recognized on 
the charge.  The investment is now accounted for using the cost method and is reported on the balance sheet in investments in 
unconsolidated affiliates.  Business operations in Zimbabwe were not impacted by the financial reporting change or the non-
cash  charge,  and  the  Company  intends  to  continue  its  operations  there.    The  impairment  charge  associated  with  the 
Zimbabwe operations reduced fiscal year 2006 income from continuing operations and net income by $29.2 million, or $1.13 
per  diluted  share.    The  Company’s  investment  in  the  Zimbabwe  operations  was  approximately  $5.8  million  at  March  31, 
2007,  and  $8.7  million  at  March  31,  2006.    This  investment  is  included  in  segment  assets  for  flue-cured  and  burley  leaf 
tobacco  operations  –  Other  Regions  in  Note  14.    In  addition  to  the  investment,  the  Company  has  a  net  foreign  currency 
translation  loss  associated  with  the  Zimbabwe  operations  of  approximately  $7.2  million,  which  remains  a  component  of 
accumulated other comprehensive loss. 

NOTE 4.   EUROPEAN COMMISSION FINES AND OTHER LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS 

European Commission Fines in Spain 

In October 2004, the European Commission (the “Commission”) imposed fines on “five companies active in the raw 
Spanish tobacco processing market” totaling €20 million (approximately $27 million) for “colluding on the prices paid to, 
and the quantities bought from, the tobacco growers in Spain.”  Two of the Company’s subsidiaries, Tabacos Espanoles S.A. 
(“TAES”), a purchaser and processor of raw tobacco in Spain, and Deltafina, S.p.A. (“Deltafina”), an Italian subsidiary, were 
among the five companies assessed fines.  In its decision, the Commission imposed a fine of €108,000 on TAES, and a fine 
of €11.88 million on Deltafina.  Deltafina did not and does not purchase or process raw tobacco in the Spanish market, but 
was  and  is  a  significant  buyer  of  tobacco  from  some  of  the  Spanish  processors.    The  Company  recorded  a  charge  of 
approximately $14.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005 to accrue the full amount of the fines assessed against 
the Company’s subsidiaries. 

In January 2005, Deltafina filed an appeal in the Court of First Instance of the European Communities.  The appeal 
process is likely to take several years to complete, and the ultimate outcome is uncertain.  The Company has deposited funds 
in an escrow account with the Commission in the amount of the fine in order to stay execution during the appeal process.  
These funds are accounted for as non-current assets. 

51

 
  
 
 
 
 
              
                 
              
             
 
                
             
              
 
                 
              
             
                
             
              
                 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

European Commission Fines in Italy 

In 2002, the Company reported that it was aware that the Commission was investigating certain aspects of the leaf 
tobacco markets in Italy.  Deltafina buys and processes tobacco in Italy.  The Company reported that it did not believe that 
the  Commission  investigation  in  Italy  would  result  in  penalties  being  assessed  against  it  or  its  subsidiaries  that  would  be 
material to the Company’s earnings.  The reason the Company held this belief was that it had received conditional immunity 
from the Commission because Deltafina had voluntarily informed the Commission of the activities that were the basis of the 
investigation.   

On  December  28,  2004,  the  Company  received  a  preliminary  indication  that  the  Commission  intended  to  revoke 
Deltafina’s  immunity  for  disclosing  in  April  2002  that  it  had  applied  for  immunity.    Neither  the  Commission’s  Leniency 
Notice  of  February  19,  2002,  nor  Deltafina’s  letter  of  provisional  immunity,  contains  a  specific  requirement  of 
confidentiality.  The potential for such disclosure was discussed with the Commission in March 2002, and the Commission 
never  told  Deltafina  that  disclosure  would  affect  Deltafina’s  immunity.    On  November  15,  2005,  the  Company  received 
notification  from  the  Commission  that  the  Commission  had  imposed  fines  totaling  €30  million  (about  $41  million)  on 
Deltafina  and  the  Company  jointly  for  infringing  European  Union  antitrust  law  in  connection  with  the  purchase  and 
processing of tobacco in the Italian raw tobacco market. 

The Company does not believe that the decision can be reconciled with the Commission’s Statement of Objections 
and  facts.    The  Company  and  Deltafina  each  have  appealed  the  decision  to  the  Court  of  First  Instance  of  the  European 
Communities.    Based  on  consultation  with  outside  counsel,  the  Company  believes  it  is  probable  that  it  will  prevail  in  the 
appeals process and has not accrued a charge for the fine.  Deltafina has  provided a bank guarantee to the Commission in the 
amount of the fine in order to stay execution during the appeal process.  A cash deposit of €8 million (about $11 million) 
secures a portion of the bank guarantee and is classified in non-current assets. 

U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 

As  a  result  of  a  posting  to  the  Company's  Ethics  Complaint  hotline  alleging  improper  activities  that  involved  or 
related to certain of the Company's tobacco subsidiaries, the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors engaged 
an  outside  law  firm  to  conduct  an  investigation  of  the  alleged  activities.  That  investigation  revealed  that  there  have  been 
payments that may have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. At this time, the payments involved appear to have 
approximated $1 million over a five-year period. In addition, the investigation revealed activities in foreign jurisdictions that 
may have violated the competition laws of such jurisdictions, but the Company believes those activities did not violate U.S. 
antitrust laws. The Company voluntarily reported these activities to the appropriate U.S. authorities.  On June 6, 2006, the 
Securities and Exchange Commission notified the Company that a formal order of investigation has been issued.   

If the U.S. authorities determine that there have been violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or if the U.S. 
authorities  or  the  authorities  in  foreign  jurisdictions  determine  there  have  been  violations  of  other  laws,  they  may  seek  to 
impose sanctions on the Company or its subsidiaries that may include injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties, and 
modifications  to  business  practices.  It  is  not  possible  to  predict  at  this  time  whether  the  authorities  will  determine  that 
violations have occurred, and if they do, what sanctions they might seek to impose. It is also not possible to predict how the 
government's  investigation  or  any  resulting  sanctions  may  impact  the  Company's  business,  financial  condition,  results  of 
operations, or financial performance, although such sanctions, if imposed, could be material to its results of operations in any 
quarter. The Company will continue to cooperate with the authorities in these matters. 

Employment Litigation Verdict 

In September 2006, a California jury decided a case involving an employment matter at one of the Company’s agri-
products subsidiaries in favor of the plaintiffs and awarded them compensatory damages of approximately $0.2 million and 
punitive damages of $25 million.  In December 2006, the trial court granted the Company’s motion to substantially reduce 
the punitive damages to approximately $1.25 million, bringing the total amount of the award to approximately $1.45 million.  
The  Company  and  the  other  defendants  also  filed  a  notice  of  appeal,  as  the  Company  believed  there  were  errors  in  the 
decision of the court despite the significant reduction in punitive damages.  On May 16, 2007, the plaintiffs agreed with the 
Company and the other defendants to a final settlement on all the issues.  As part of the settlement, the parties agreed that the 
terms of the settlement would be confidential. 

52

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Other Legal and Tax Matters 

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2007,  one  of  the  Company’s  foreign  subsidiaries  accrued  approximately  $2.7 
million  for  taxes,  penalties,  and  interest  assessed  in  connection  with an audit  of various  tax  filings  for  several  prior  years.  
This  amount was  in  addition  to  approximately  $1  million previously  accrued for  actual or  expected  assessments  related  to 
other  items  within  the  scope  of  the  same  tax  audit.    The  amounts  accrued  primarily  relate  to  assessments  for  value-added 
taxes.  Certain other potential claims raised in connection with this tax audit have not yet been fully discussed or resolved 
with the tax authorities.  While the subsidiary has accrued its best estimate of the ultimate liability it expects to incur with 
respect  to  the  tax  audit,  additional  amounts  would  be  recorded  future  periods  if  final  settlement  on  all  issues  exceeds  the 
amounts already accrued. 

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

53

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 5.    EARNINGS PER SHARE  

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

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2007

2006

2005

(In thousands, except per share data)

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share

  From continuing operations:

   Income (loss) from continuing operations………………………………………………...………  $

80,411   $

(2,973)   $

   Less:  Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock………………………………………  

Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations……………… 

(14,685)

65,726  

        —   

(2,973)  

From discontinued operations:

Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations…………… 

(36,059)

10,913

   Net income available to common shareholders………………………………...……..…………   $

29,667   $

7,940   $

68,556

        —   

68,556

27,457

96,013

 Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share

    Weighted average shares outstanding……………..……………………………………………  

25,935  

25,707  

25,553

 Basic earnings (loss) per share:

  From continuing operations………………………………………………………………………   $

2.53   $

(0.12)   $

  From discontinued operations……………………………………………………………….……  
  Net income per share……………..………………………………………………………………   $

(1.39)
1.14   $

0.43
0.31   $

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

  From continuing operations:

   Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations…………………  $

65,726   $

(2,973)   $

   Add:  Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)……………  

        —   

        —   

   Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations

2.68

1.08
3.76

68,556

        —   

      for calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share…………………………………..………… 

65,726

(2,973)

68,556

  From discontinued operations:

         Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations………..…  

(36,059)

10,913

  Net income available to common shareholders……………..……………………………………   $

29,667   $

7,940   $

27,457

96,013

 Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:

    Weighted average shares outstanding………….…………………………………………..……  

25,935  

25,707  

25,553

    Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)

       Convertible perpetual preferred stock……..…………………………………………………… 

       —   

       Employee share-based awards………...………………………………………………………  

    Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share………………………………………………  

116

26,051

       —   

       —   

25,707

 Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

  From continuing operations……………….………………………………………………………  $

2.52   $

(0.12)   $

  From discontinued operations……………….……………………………………………………  

(1.39)

0.43

  Net income per share……………..………………………………………………………………   $

1.13   $

0.31   $

       —   

164

25,717

2.66

1.07

3.73

For  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2007  and  2006,  conversion  of  the  Company’s  outstanding  Series  B  6.75% 
Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) was not assumed since the effect was antidilutive to earnings per 
share from continuing operations.  The Preferred Stock was not outstanding during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. 

54

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 
             
 
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 
 
 
                 
            
 
            
 
            
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the effect of employee share-based awards is antidilutive to the per-share 
effect of the loss from discontinued operations.  Under the applicable financial reporting guidelines, this antidilutive effect is 
shown since these securities are dilutive to earnings per share from continuing operations for that period. 

For  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2006  and  2005,  certain  stock  options  outstanding  were  not  included  in  the 
computation  of  diluted  earnings  per  share  since  their  exercise  prices  were  greater  than  the  average  market  price  of  the 
common shares during each of those years and, accordingly, their effect was antidilutive.  These shares totaled 1,698,599 at a 
weighted-average  exercise  price  of  $44.97  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2006,  and  825,000  shares  at  a  weighted-
average exercise price of $47.76 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.  No stock options or stock appreciation rights were 
antidilutive at March 31, 2007. 

NOTE 6.    INCOME TAXES  

Income taxes on income from continuing operations consist of the following:  

Current

United States…………………………………………..………………………………….… 
State and local……………………………….……………………….……………………  
Foreign……………………………………………………………….………………...….  

Deferred

United States………………………………………...……………………………………… 
State and local……………………………...……………………….………………………  
Foreign…………………………………………………..……………………….………… 

$

$

$

Total…………………………………………………..……………….……………….………… 

$

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

670
1,693
59,417
61,780

(2,453)
1,157
642
(654)
61,126

$

$

$

$

1,231
2,435
46,920
50,586

(14,685)
(2,022)
(11,946)
(28,653)
21,933

$

$

$

$

5,953
998
51,957
58,908

(7,669)
(10)
2,969
(4,710)
54,198

A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows: 

Statutory tax rate……………….......………………....…………....………………....…………  
State income taxes, net of federal benefit……………….......……....………………....………… 
Impact of permanently reinvested earnings……………….......………………....………….......  
Income taxed at other than the U.S. rate and other items………………...........……………….   
Impairment of investment in Zimbabwe operations……………….......…………………....……  
Tax benefits on losses in Zambia at less than the U.S. rate………………………………………  
Non-deductible European Commission fines……………….......………………....…………...   
Effective income tax rate……………….......………………....……………....………………..  

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

%

%

35.0
4.5
54.0
(13.6)
69.6
       —   
       —   
149.5

%

%

2007

35.0
1.3
1.3
1.0
       —   
6.7
       —   
45.3

2005

35.0
0.4
4.1
(0.2)
       —   
       —   
4.2
43.5

%

%

The U.S. and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and other items were 

as follows: 

United States……………….......…………………...….……….....……………………………   $
Foreign……………….......………………….…….………...…………………………………   

Total……………….......………………......................................…………………………  $

(4,235)
139,112
134,877

   $

   $

(45,241)
59,914
14,673

   $

   $

(17,263)
141,986
124,723

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets from continuing operations were as follows:   

Liabilities
Foreign withholding taxes………………………………...……….....………………....…………………………………   $
Tax over book depreciation……………………………...…….......………………....……………………………………  
Goodwill……………….......……………………...............………………………………………………………………  
All other……………….......…………………….......…………...………………………………………………………   

Total deferred tax liabilities……………………….......………….…………....……………………………………  $

Assets
Employee benefit plans……………….......…...…………...………....…………………………………………………    $
Undistributed earnings……………….......……….…………..……....…………………………………………………   
Foreign currency translation………………...............……….……………....……………………………………………  
Deferred compensation……………….................………………..……....………………………………………………  
Tax credits……………….......…………………..…………...……………………………………………………………  
Restructuring and impairment costs……………………………………………..…………...…………………………… 
Valuation allowances on Brazilian farmer advances and ICMS tax credits……………….................………………..…  
Net operating loss carryforward……………….......…………………..…………...……………………………………   
All other……………….......………………....……….…….……………………………………………………………   
Total deferred tax assets………………..................…………..……....……………………………………………  
Valuation allowance……………….......………………..………….....…………………………………………………   

Net deferred tax assets………………..................…………..……....………………………………………………   $

March 31,

2007

2006

20,204
1,513
26,289
4,170
52,176

45,646
5,659
2,012
1,290
39,598
7,732
12,647
6,706
18,205
139,495
(13,621)
125,874

   $

$

   $

   $

16,806
2,742
23,553
11,760
54,861

40,671
26,560
6,541
499
33,849
10,437
8,381
5,806
17,901
150,645
(18,784)
131,861

Tax  credits  at  March  31,  2007,  consist  of  $23.8  million  of  foreign  tax  credit  carryforwards  and  $15.8  million  of 
alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.  Foreign tax credit carryforwards in the amounts of $5.6 million, $6.8 million, 
$8.1  million,  and $3.3  million  will  expire  at  the  end  of  fiscal  years  2014,  2015,  2016,  and 2017  respectively.    Alternative 
minimum tax credit carryforwards have an indefinite life. 

NOTE 7.    CREDIT FACILITIES 

Five-Year Revolving Bank Credit Facility 

In  January  2005,  the  Company  entered  into  a  five-year  revolving  credit  agreement  with  banks.    The  agreement 
provides  for  a  credit  facility  of  $500  million,  which  matures  in  January  2010.    Borrowings  under  the  credit  facility  bear 
interest at variable rates, based on either 1) LIBOR plus a negotiated spread (1.2% at March 31, 2007) or 2) the higher of the 
federal funds rate plus 0.5% or Prime rate, each plus a negotiated spread (0.2% at March 31, 2007).  The Company pays a 
facility fee.  Loans made under the facility may be used to provide general working capital, or for general corporate purposes.  
At March 31, 2007, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreement.  At March 31, 2006, direct 
borrowings under the agreement totaled $80 million.  These borrowings were reported in notes payable and overdrafts in the 
consolidated balance sheet.   

Certain covenants in the revolving credit agreement require the Company to maintain a minimum level of tangible 
net worth and observe a restriction on debt levels.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 
2007. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Short-Term Credit Facilities 

The Company maintains short-term lines of credit in the United States and in a number of foreign countries. Foreign 
borrowings  are  generally  in  the  form  of  overdraft  facilities  at  rates  competitive  in  the  countries  in  which  the  Company 
operates.    Generally,  each  foreign  line  is  available  only  for  borrowings  related  to  operations  of  a  specific  country.    As  of 
March  31,  2007,  approximately  $131  million  was  outstanding  under  such  uncommitted  lines  of  credit  and  unused, 
uncommitted lines of credit were approximately $490 million. The weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings 
outstanding as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, were approximately 5.2% and 5.4%, respectively.  

NOTE 8.    LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 

Long-term obligations consist of the following: 

Notes:
  Medium-term notes due from 2007 to 2013 at various rates………..............................................................................  $
  Private placement notes, due May 2008, at LIBOR + 1.25%, repaid November 2006………………………….........… 
Other……………………………………………………………………………………..................................……........  

Less current portion…………………………………………….................................……..........................................… 
Long-term obligations……………………………………………….............................................………………………  $

March 31,

2007

2006

562,952    $
    —   
    —   
562,952   
(164,000)   
398,952    $

570,602
200,000
136
770,738
(8,537)
762,201

Notes 

The  Company  has  $563  million  in  medium-term  notes  outstanding.    These  notes  mature  at  various  dates  from 
September 2007 to October 2013 and were all issued with fixed interest rates.  At March 31, 2007, interest rates on the notes 
ranged from 5.00% to 8.50%.  In November 2006, the Company repaid $200 million of private placement notes prior to their 
maturity with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of its non-tobacco operations.  In fiscal year 2006, the Company filed a 
shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the future issuance of an undefined 
amount  of  additional  debt  or  equity  securities  as  determined  by  the  Company  and  offered  in  one  or  more  prospectus 
supplements prior to issuance. 

Other Information 

The  fair  value  of  the  Company’s  long-term  obligations,  including  the  current  portion,  was  approximately  $550 

million at March 31, 2007, and $752 million at March 31, 2006.   

From time to time, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to changes in interest 
rates.  These agreements typically adjust interest rates on designated long-term obligations from fixed to variable.  The swaps 
are accounted for as fair value hedges.  At March 31, 2007, the Company had interest rate swap agreements in place on $50 
million of long-term debt.  The fair value of those swap agreements was a liability of $0.5 million. 

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2007, by fiscal year, are as follows:  2008 - $164.0 million; 

2009 - none; 2010 - $79.5 million; 2011 - $15.0 million; 2012 - $95.0 million; and 2013 and thereafter - $210.0 million. 

NOTE 9.    LEASES 

The Company’s subsidiaries lease various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, as well as vehicles 
and  equipment  used  in  their operations.    Some  of  the  leases have  options  to  extend  the  lease  term  at  market  rates.    These 
arrangements  are  classified  as  operating  leases  for  accounting  purposes.    Rent  expense  on  operating  leases  totaled  $12.3 
million in fiscal year 2007, $8.9 million in fiscal year 2006, and $5.9 million in fiscal year 2005.  Future minimum payments 
under non-cancelable operating leases total $11.9 million in 2008, $8.3 million in 2009, $7.7 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 
2011, $3.3 million in 2012, and $0.6 million after 2012. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 10.    PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS  

Defined Benefit Plans 

Description of 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. Plan assets consist primarily of equity investments and fixed income securities.  

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. The health benefits are funded by the Company as the costs 
of the benefits are incurred and contain cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. The Company funds the 
life insurance benefits with deposits to a reserve account held by an insurance company. The Company has the right to amend 
or discontinue these benefits at any time. 

Adoption of Recognition and Disclosure Provisions of SFAS 158 

As discussed in Note 2, Universal adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS 158, effective March 
31, 2007.  SFAS 158 changed the manner in which the funded status of defined benefit plans was previously reported in the 
consolidated  balance  sheet  under  FASB  Statements  No.  87,  “Employers’  Accounting  for  Pensions”  and  No.  106, 
“Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” but it did not change the manner in which the 
cost  of  those  plans  is  recognized  as  expense  in  the  financial  statements  under  that  earlier  guidance.    As  a  result,  actuarial 
gains  and  losses  and  prior  service  costs  continue  to be  deferred  and  recognized  in  expense  ratably  over  appropriate  future 
periods.    Upon  adopting  the  recognition  provisions  of  SFAS  158,  the  Company  was  required  to  report  the  overfunded  or 
underfunded  status  of  its  defined  benefit  plans,  measured  as  the  difference  between  the  fair  value  of  plan  assets  and  the 
projected benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in its balance sheet at March 31, 2007, with a corresponding adjustment to 
accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.  The net adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss at adoption 
of $44.2 million ($28.6 million, net of tax) includes the net unrecognized actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service costs 
related to the plans.  As these amounts are recognized in net periodic benefit cost in future periods, they will be reclassified 
from  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss.    The  effects  of  adopting  SFAS  158  on  individual  lines  in  the  Company’s 
consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2007, were as follows: 

Balance Prior
to Adopting
SFAS 158

Adjustments

Balance After
Adopting
SFAS 158

Goodwill and other intangibles……………….......…………………...….……….....……………    $
Deferred income taxes (asset)……………….......………………….…….………...………………  
Total assets……………….......………………….…….………...…………………………………  
Pensions and other postretirement benefits……………….......………………….…….………...…  
Total liabilities……………….......………………….…….………...………………………………  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss……………….......………………….…….………...……  
Total shareholders' equity……………….......………………….…….………...…………………   

   $

104,954
65,401
2,313,890
56,521
1,248,784
(12,425)
1,059,284

   $

(670)
15,602
14,932
43,483
43,483
(28,551)
(28,551)

104,284
81,003
2,328,822
100,004
1,292,267
(40,976)
1,030,733

In  addition  to  the  above  changes,  as  discussed  in  Note  2,  SFAS  158  will  also  require  companies  to  measure  the 
funded status of their defined benefit plans as of the balance sheet date, beginning in fiscal years ending after December 15, 
2008.  Universal currently measures the funded status of its plans 90 days prior to the balance sheet date and will be required 
to change its measurement timing no later than the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Actuarial Assumptions 

Assumptions used for financial reporting purposes to compute net periodic benefit cost and benefit obligations, as 

well as the components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows: 

2007

Pension Benefits
2006

2005

Other Postretirement Benefits
2006

2005

2007

Assumptions:
Discount rate, end of year….................…................  
Rate of compensation

5.75 %   

5.50 %   

5.75 %

5.75 %   

5.50 %   

5.75 %

increases, end of year…........................................  

5.00 %   

5.00 %   

5.00 %

5.00 %   

5.00 %   

5.00 %

Expected long-term return

on plan assets, end of year…................................  

7.75 %   

7.75 %   

7.75 %

4.30 %   

4.30 %   

4.30 %

Rate of increase in per-capita cost of

covered health care benefits………......................  

9.50 %   

10.00 %   

10.50 %

As noted above, the Company uses a measurement date of December 31 to determine the funded status of its defined 
benefit plans.  The rate of increase in per-capita cost of covered healthcare benefits is assumed to decrease gradually from 
9.5% in 2007 to 6.0% for fiscal year 2014.   

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, and Funded Status 

The  following  table  reflects  the  changes  in  benefit  obligations  and  plan  assets  in  2007  and  2006,  and  the  funded 

status of the plans and net amounts recognized at March 31, 2007 and 2006: 

Pension Benefits
March 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
March 31,

2007

2006

2007

2006

Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:

Accumulated benefit obligation (1)…………………….......………........   $
Projected benefit obligation (2)……………………….......………..........  

   $

208,056
239,494

   $

208,237
241,934

    —   
55,203

Change in projected benefit obligation (2):

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year……………………………  $
Service cost………………………........………...................................…  
Interest cost…………………………....………........................................  
Effect of discount rate change………………….......………....................  
Foreign currency exchange rate changes………………………………… 
Settlement……………………….....………..............................………… 
Other…………………...………….……….........................................…… 
Benefit payments…………………..............…….......………..................  
Projected benefit obligation, end of year…………………………………  $

Change in plan assets:

Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year…………………...……………  $
Actual return on plan assets……………………….......………................  
Employer contributions…………………...…….......………...................  
Settlements…………………...…...……..........………………................. 
Foreign currency exchange rate changes…………………...…………..… 
Benefit payments……………………….…...….......………....................  
Plan assets at fair value, end of year…………………...…………………  $

Funded status:

Funded status of the plans…………………...….......………...................   $
Contributions after measurement date…………………...………………  
Unrecognized net actuarial loss………………….......………..................  
Unrecognized prior service cost…………………...…….......………....... 
Net amount recognized…………………...…………….....................………  $

241,934
5,848
12,806
(6,157)
1,869
(5,457)
1,818
(13,167)
239,494

151,862
19,315
12,256
(5,457)
607
(13,167)
165,416

(74,078)
18,474
N/A
N/A
(55,604)

   $

$

   $

   $

   $

   $

225,091
5,681
12,186
7,638
(719)
(5,356)
9,587
(12,174)
241,934

146,686
9,743
12,414
(4,884)
77
(12,174)
151,862

(90,072)
3,942
29,683
3,263
(53,184)

   $

$

   $

   $

   $

   $

65,489
1,068
3,113
(1,205)
    —   
    —   
(8,370)
(4,892)
55,203

4,175
186
4,473
    —   
    —   
(4,892)
3,942

(51,261)
709
N/A
N/A
(50,552)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

    —   
65,489

52,688
1,102
3,478
1,751
    —   
    —   
10,466
(3,996)
65,489

4,302
232
3,637
      — 
      — 
(3,996)
4,175

(61,314)
548
13,749
(192)
(47,209)

(1) "Accumulated benefit obligation" ("ABO") represents the actuarial present value of estimated future benefit payments earned by participants in
the Company's defined benefit pension plans as of the balance sheet date without regard to the estimated effect of future compensation
increases on those benefits.  The term does not apply to other postretirement benefits.

(2) "Projected benefit obligation" refers to the projected benefit obligation ("PBO") for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement 
benefit obligation ("APBO") for other postretirement benefits.  These amounts represent the actuarial present value of estimated future
benefit payments earned by participants in the benefit plans as of the balance sheet date.  For pension benefits, the projected benefit
obligation includes the estimated effect of future compensation increases on those benefits.

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

The  net  amounts  recognized  for  pension  and  other  postretirement  benefits  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  at 

March 31, 2007 and 2006, are as follows: 

Pension Benefits
March 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
March 31,

2007

2006

2007

2006

Accrued benefit liability……………………………….…….………………   $
Intangible asset…………………………….…………………….…….……  
Accumulated other

   $

(55,604)
    —   

   $

(53,184)
2,801

comprehensive loss………………..……………………….…….………  
Net amount recognized…………...…………………………….……………  $

41,351
(14,253)

$

26,509
(23,874)

$

(50,552)
    —   

3,311
(47,241)

$

$

(47,209)
N/A

N/A
(47,209)

Of  the  total  accrued  benefit  liability  of  $106.2  million  at  March  31,  2007,  approximately  $100.0  million  was 

reported as a non-current liability and $6.2 million was included in current liabilities based on the guidance in SFAS 158. 

Additional information on the funded status of the Company’s pension plans as of the respective measurement dates 

for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, is as follows: 

March 31,

2007

2006

For plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

Aggregate projected benefit obligation………………..…………..……………..………………..………............……  $
Aggregate fair value of plan assets……………..………………..……………..…………….……………..............… 

   $

239,494
165,416

For plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation…………...…………..……………..……………………..…...........……  
Aggregate fair value of plan assets……………………………………..……………..…………….….......................  

197,693
154,894

241,934
151,864

208,237
151,864

The amounts recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2007, that have not 

been recognized as a component of net periodic benefits cost are as follows: 

Net actuarial loss…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  $
Prior service cost………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
Deferred income taxes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
Total included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes…………………………………………………………………  $

41,044
3,618
(15,780)
28,882

The Company expects to recognize approximately $2.9 million of the net actuarial loss and $0.5 million of the prior 

service cost at March 31, 2007, in net periodic benefits cost during fiscal year 2008.  

March 31,
2007

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost 

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

2007

Pension Benefits
2006

2005

2007

2006

2005

Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of net periodic
benefit cost (income):
Service cost………………………  $
Interest cost……………………… 
Expected return on plan assets… 
Settlement cost…………………  
Net amortization and deferral…… 
Net periodic benefit cost…………  $

   $

5,848
12,806
(10,894)   
1,345
3,559
12,664

   $

   $

5,681
12,186
(10,514)   
1,172
1,309
9,834

   $

5,431
12,315
(10,773)
1,536
3,357
11,866

$

$

1,068    $
3,113   
(172)   

    —   

58   

4,067

   $

1,102    $
3,478   
(177)   

    —   

(48)   
4,355    $

1,095
2,954
(181)
    —   
(48)
3,820

A  one-percentage-point  increase  in  the  assumed  health  care  cost  trend  would  increase  the  March  31,  2007, 
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $1.9 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease would 
reduce  the  accumulated  benefit  obligation  by  approximately  $1.7  million.    The  aggregate  service  and  interest  cost 
components of the net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal year 2008 would not change by a significant amount 
as a result of a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend.    

Allocation of Pension Plan Assets 

The Pension Investment Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) oversees the investment of funds 
for  the  Company’s  U.S.  defined  benefit  pension  plans.    The  Committee  has  established  target  asset  allocations  for  those 
investments  to  reflect  a  balance  of  the  needs  for  liquidity,  total  return,  and  risk  control.    The  assets  are  required  to  be 
diversified  across  asset  classes  and  investment  styles  to  achieve  that  balance.    During  the  year,  the  asset  allocation  is 
reviewed for adherence to the target policy and rebalanced to the targeted weights.  

Universal’s  weighted–average  target  pension  asset  allocation  and  target  ranges  at  December  31,  2006,  and  asset 

allocations at December 31, 2006 and 2005, by asset category were as follows: 

Asset Category1

Target
Allocation

Plan Assets

Plan Assets

at December 31,  at December 31,

Range

2006

2005

Domestic equity securities…………………...………...........……………...…......  
International equity securities…………………...…........……………………...…  
Fixed income securities2…………………...……….............…………...…........… 
           Total…………………………………………………………………………… 

55.0%   
15.0%   
30.0%   
100.0%

49% - 61%   
13% - 17%   
25% - 35%   

55.4%   
16.4%   
28.2%   
100.0%

54.0%
17.6%
28.4%
100.0%

1The plan holds no real estate assets.
2Actual amounts include cash balances held for the payment of benefits.

With  the  assistance  of  a  consultant,  the  Committee  selects  investment  managers  to  invest  the  funds  within  its 
guidelines.  To provide for diversification, equity fund managers are limited in the level of investment in any single security, 
and limits are placed on the minimum size of the issuer of the security.  Fixed income managers must invest in U.S. dollar-
denominated bonds, with limitations on the amounts that may be invested in any single issuer.  The minimum credit rating of 
issuers is BBB, and limits are placed on the amount that can be invested in issuers rated at that level.  In addition, certain 
speculative  transactions  are  prohibited  in  either  equity  or  fixed  income  management,  as  appropriate.    These  prohibitions 
include  margin  buying,  short  selling,  and  transactions  in  lettered  or  restricted  stock,  puts,  and  straddles.    Managers  are 
evaluated based on their adherence to the policies, and their ability to exceed certain standards for returns while limiting the 
amount of risk over three to five years. 

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Universal made $15 million in additional contributions to its U.S. pension plans during January 2007 to increase the 
funded status of those plans in anticipation of new minimum funding requirements introduced by the Pension Protection Act 
of  2006  that  will  become  effective  for  plan  years  beginning  after  December  31,  2007.    The  Company  expects  to  make 
contributions of $6.7 million to its pension plans in fiscal year 2008. 

Estimated future benefit payments to be made from the Company’s plans are as follows: 

2008……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  $
2009…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
2010…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
2011…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
2012…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
2013-2017……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 

Other Benefit Plans 

Pension
Benefits

Other
Postretirement
Benefits

   $

13,771
21,750
13,633
12,339
13,968
74,818

4,279
4,486
4,621
4,665
4,662
23,203

Universal  and  several  U.S.  subsidiaries  offer  an  employer-matched  defined  contribution  savings  plan.    This  plan 
replaced  an  existing  employer-matched  stock  purchase  plan  during  fiscal  year  2007  and  provides  substantially  the  same 
benefits  as  that  plan.    Amounts  charged  to  expense  for  these plans  were  approximately  $1.3  million  for  each  of  the  fiscal 
years 2007, 2006, and 2005. 

63

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
            
              
            
              
            
              
            
              
            
              
            
            
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 11.    COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK  

Common Stock 

At  March  31,  2007,  the  Company’s  shareholders  had  authorized  100,000,000  shares  of  its  common  stock,  and 
26,948,599 shares were issued and outstanding.  Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on 
all matters requiring a vote.  Holders of the common stock are also entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by 
the Company’s Board of Directors.  The Board customarily declares and pays regular quarterly dividends on the outstanding 
common shares; however, such dividends are at the Board’s full discretion, and there is no obligation to continue them.  If 
dividends on the Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or “Preferred Shares”) are not 
declared and paid for any dividend period, then dividends on the common stock may not be paid until the dividends on the 
Preferred Stock have been paid for a period of four consecutive quarters. 

In 1999, the Company distributed, as a dividend, one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of 
common  stock.  Each  right  entitles  the  shareholder  to  purchase  1/200  of  a  share  of  Series  A  Junior  Participating  Preferred 
Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at an exercise price of $110, subject to adjustment. The rights will become exercisable 
only  if  a  person  or  group  acquires  or  announces  a  tender  offer  for  15%  or  more  of  the  Company’s  outstanding  shares  of 
common  stock.  Under  certain  circumstances,  the  Board of  Directors  may  reduce  this  threshold percentage  to not  less  than 
10%. If a person or group acquires the threshold percentage of common stock, each right will entitle the holder, other than the 
acquiring party, to buy shares of common stock or Series A Preferred Stock having a market value of twice the exercise price. 
If  the  Company  is  acquired  in  a  merger  or  other  business  combination,  each  right  will  entitle  the  holder,  other  than  the 
acquiring person, to purchase securities of the surviving company having a market value equal to twice the exercise price of 
the  rights.  Following  the  acquisition  by  any  person  of  more  than  the  threshold  percentage  of  the  Company’s  outstanding 
common stock but less than 50% of such shares, the Company may exchange one share of common stock or 1/200 of a share 
of Series A Preferred Stock for each right (other than rights held by such person). Until the rights become exercisable, they 
may be redeemed by the Company at a price of one cent per right. The rights expire on February 13, 2009. 

Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock 

The  Company  is  also  authorized  to  issue  up  to  5,000,000  shares  of  preferred  stock.    In  March  and  April  2006, 
220,000 shares of Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or “Preferred Shares”) were 
issued  under  this  authorization.    The  Preferred  Stock  has  a  liquidation  preference  of  $1,000  per  share  and  generated 
approximately  $213  million  in  net  cash  proceeds,  which  were  used  to  reduce  short-term  debt.    Holders  of  the  Preferred 
Shares are entitled to receive quarterly dividends at the rate of 6.75% per annum on the liquidation preference when, as, and 
if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors.  Dividends are not cumulative in the event the Board does not declare a 
dividend for one or more quarterly periods.  Under the terms of the Preferred Stock offering, the Board is prohibited from 
declaring  regular  dividends  on  the  Preferred  Shares  in  any  period  in  which  the  Company  fails  to  meet  specified  levels  of 
shareholders’  equity  and  net  income;  however,  in  that  situation,  the  Board  may  instead  declare  such  dividends  payable  in 
shares of the Company’s common stock or from net proceeds of common stock issued during the ninety-day period prior to 
the dividend declaration.  The Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except in the event the Company fails to pay dividends 
for four consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly dividend periods or fails to pay the redemption price on any date that the 
Preferred  Shares  are  called  for  redemption,  in  which  case  the  holders  of  Preferred  Shares  will  be  entitled  to  elect  two 
additional  directors  to  the  Company’s  Board  to  serve  until  dividends  on  the  Preferred  Stock  have  been  fully  paid  for  four 
consecutive quarters. 

The Preferred Shares are convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time into shares of the Company’s common 
stock at a conversion rate that is adjusted each time the Company pays a dividend on its common stock that exceeds $0.43 
per  share.    The  conversion  rate  at  March  31,  2007  was  21.40442  shares  of  common  stock  per  preferred  share,  which 
represents a conversion price of approximately $46.72 per common share.  Upon conversion, the Company may, at its option, 
satisfy all or part of the conversion value in cash.   

During the period from March 15, 2013 to March 15, 2018, the Company may, at its option, convert the Preferred 
Shares  into  shares  of  common  stock  at  the  prevailing  conversion  rate  if  the  closing  price  of  the  common  stock  during  a 
specified period exceeds 135% of the prevailing conversion price.  Upon this mandatory conversion, the Company may, at its 
option,  satisfy  all  or  part  of  the  conversion  value  in  cash.    On  or  after  March  15,  2018,  the  Company  may,  at  its  option, 
redeem all or part of the outstanding Preferred Shares for cash at the $1,000 per share liquidation preference. 

64

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 12.    EXECUTIVE STOCK PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION  

Executive Stock Plans 

The Company’s shareholders have approved Executive Stock Plans under which officers, directors, and employees 
of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units,  
(“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options.  Currently, grants are 
outstanding under the 1997 Executive Stock Plan and the 2002 Executive Stock Plan (together, the “Plans”).  Up to 2 million 
shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued under each of the Plans; however, awards of restricted stock under the 
2002 Executive Stock Plan are limited to 500,000 shares.  

Through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, non-qualified stock options were the primary form of stock-based 
compensation  awarded.    Beginning  in  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2006,  the  compensation  program  was  revised  to 
provide  grants  of  restricted  stock,  RSUs,  and  stock-settled  SARs  instead  of  stock  options.    These  changes  represent 
refinements in program design only, and the Company is still authorized to award stock options and other forms of share-
based compensation under the Plans. 

Non-qualified stock options and SARs granted under the Plans have an exercise price equal to the market price of a 
share of  common  stock on the  date  of grant.    All  stock options  currently  outstanding  under  the  Plans  are fully  vested  and 
exercisable, and they expire ten years after the grant date.  SARs granted under the Plans vest in equal one-third tranches one, 
two, and three years after the grant date, and expire ten years after the grant date.  RSUs awarded under the Plans 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 Company’s outside directors automatically receive shares of restricted stock following each annual meeting of 
shareholders.  These shares vest upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director. 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option and SAR activity and related information for the fiscal 

years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005: 

2007

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Stock Option
and SAR
Shares

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Stock Option
Shares

2005

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Stock Option
Shares

Outstanding at beginning of year…… 
Granted……………………………… 
Exercised………………………........  
Cancelled/expired...………………… 
Forfeited...………………………......  
Outstanding at end of year…………… 

Exercisable……………………….....  

Available for grant……………….…  

$

2,011,782
265,500
(1,232,967)

(17,000)
(69,500)
957,815

708,315

515,576

43.34
36.03
43.81

38.94
38.21
41.16

42.96

$

1,827,191
263,500
(72,000)

(6,909)
      — 
2,011,782

2,011,782

738,058

42.64
46.34
36.57

44.20

43.34

43.34

$

2,089,311
838,898
(1,101,018)

      — 
      — 
1,827,191

1,208,790

1,051,265

39.17
47.75
39.95

      — 
      — 
42.64

41.66

65

 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
              
  
       
              
  
       
              
          
  
              
  
          
  
              
  
          
  
              
      
  
              
  
           
  
              
      
  
              
           
  
              
  
             
  
              
  
  
           
  
              
  
  
  
  
          
  
              
  
       
  
              
  
       
  
              
          
  
              
  
       
  
              
  
       
  
              
          
  
  
          
  
  
       
  
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

The  following  table  summarizes  information  concerning  currently  outstanding  and  exercisable  stock  options  and 

SARs as of March 31, 2007: 

For stock options and SARs outstanding: 

March 31, 2007
Range of Exercise Prices, Per Share

$20-$30

$30-$40

$40-$50

Total

Number outstanding………………………………………………………  
Weighted average remaining contractual life………………………………  
Weighted average exercise price, per share………………………………    $                25.09    $
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands of dollars)………………………   $

26,217   
                 2.81   

957,815
6.72
41.16
951    $              11,573    $                6,818    $             19,342 

466,128   
6.82   
46.72    $

465,470   
6.83   
36.49

$

For stock options and SARs exercisable:

Number exercisable………………………………………………………   
Weighted average exercise price, per share………………………………    $                25.09    $

26,217   

215,970   

37.02    $

466,128   

46.72    $

708,315
42.96

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.  

No RSUs were granted prior to fiscal year 2006.  

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2007

2006

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

RSUs

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

RSUs

Unvested at beginning of year………………………………………………… 
Granted………………………………....……………………………………… 
Vested………………………..............………………………………………  
Forfeited...………………………...........……………………………………… 
Unvested at end of year………………………………………………………  

$

               67,915 
               71,909    
               (7,503)   

(8,530)
123,791

46.21
36.57
46.00

41.20
40.96

      — 

$

               67,915    
      —    

      —    
67,915

      — 
46.21
      — 

      — 
46.21

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock activity for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 

and 2006.   

2007

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Restricted
Shares

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Restricted
Shares

2005

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Restricted
Shares

Unvested at beginning of year……… 
Granted……………………………  
Vested...……………………….......  
Unvested at end of year…………… 

               28,900 
               10,000    

$

      —    
38,900

38.16
35.26

                  18,900 
                  10,000    

$

      —    
37.42

      —    
28,900

33.99
46.05

      — 
38.16

               17,500 
                 1,400    

$

      —    
18,900

32.97
46.70

      — 
33.99

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UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

Adoption of FASB Statement No. 123R 

As discussed in Note 1, Universal adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based 
Payment”  (“SFAS  123R”),  effective  April  1,  2006.    SFAS  123R  provided  new  rules  for  accounting  for  stock-based 
compensation.    Previously,  the  Company  accounted  for  stock-based  compensation  awards  in  accordance  with  Accounting 
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), as permitted under SFAS  123, 
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and made required disclosures of the pro forma effect of fair value recognition 
for those awards.  Under SFAS 123R, the Company is required to recognize the cost of services received from employees and 
outside directors in exchange for stock-based compensation based on the fair value of the awards.  The Company adopted 
SFAS  123R  using  the  modified  prospective  transition  method.    Under  this  method,  the  Company  began  recognizing  fair 
value compensation expense on April 1, 2006, but did not restate prior periods.  The amount of compensation expense was 
based on the guidance in SFAS 123R for SARs, RSUs, and restricted stock granted after the April 1, 2006, adoption date, and 
on the guidance in SFAS 123 for all unvested RSUs granted before that date. 

The  effect  of  adopting  SFAS  123R  on  the  consolidated  statement  of  income  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31, 

2007, was as follows: 

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2007

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and other items………………………………………………...…………………   $                 (3,244)
Income from continuing operations…………………….………………………………………………...…………………………………… 
                (2,096)
                (2,096)
Net income…………………….……………………………………………….......………………………………...………………………  
Basic earnings per share…………………….………………………………………………………………………………...……………… 
                  (0.08)
                  (0.08)
Diluted earnings per share…………………….…………………………………………………………………………...…………………  
Determination of the Fair Value of Stock-Based Compensation 

As  noted  above,  the  Company  granted  SARs,  RSUs,  and  restricted  stock  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31, 
2007, following the adoption of SFAS 123R, and stock options, RSUs and restricted stock in prior years.  The grant date fair 
value of the SARs awarded in fiscal year 2007 and stock options awarded in fiscal years 2006 and 2005 was estimated using 
the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions: 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

Assumptions:

Expected term………………………………………………………………………………  
Expected volatility…………………………………………………………………………  
Expected dividend yield...…………………………………………………………………  
Risk-free interest rate...……………………….........………………………………………  

 6.0 years 

31.6%   

4.77%
4.67%   

 9.0 years 
28.5%

3.63%   
4.06%   

4.1 years 
29.3%

3.48%
3.60%

Resulting fair value of SARs and stock options granted…………………………………………  $ 

8.11

$ 

11.28

$ 

9.60

The  expected  term  was  based  on  the  Company’s  historical  stock  option  exercise  data  for  instruments  with 
comparable features and economic characteristics.  The expected volatility was estimated based on historical volatility of the 
Company’s common stock using weekly closing prices.  The expected dividend yield was based on the annualized quarterly 
dividend  rate  and  the  market  price  of  the  common  stock  at  grant  date.    The  risk-free  interest  rate  was  based  on  the  U.S. 
Treasury yield curve in effect at the grant date for securities with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the SARs or 
stock options. 

The fair value of the RSUs and restricted stock was based on the market price of the common stock on the grant 

date. 

67

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
                 
               
                 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Recognition and Pro Forma Disclosure of Compensation Expense 

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 the award is recognized as 
expense at the date of grant.  For RSUs granted prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company is recognizing expense 
based on the fair value method under SFAS 123R; however, consistent with its prior pro forma disclosures, that expense is 
recognized ratably over the full vesting period of the award, with acceleration of the remaining unrecognized expense in the 
event an employee elects to retire before the stated vesting date. 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense of $4.2 
million  and  recognized  a  related  income  tax  benefit  of  $1.5  million.    Prior  to  the  adoption  of  SFAS  123R,  the  Company 
recorded stock-based  compensation  expense  of $0.7  million on  RSUs for  the fiscal  year  ended  March  31, 2006, under  the 
intrinsic value method of APB 25 and recognized a related income tax benefit of $0.3 million.  No stock-based compensation 
expense was recorded during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. 

Had the Company adopted the fair value-based recognition provisions of SFAS 123 for periods prior to the adoption 
of SFAS 123R, the pro forma effect on income from continuing operations and earnings per share for the fiscal years ended 
March 31, 2006 and 2005 would have been as follows: 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2006

2005

Income (loss) from continuing operations………………………………………………...………………………………  $
Stock-based compensation cost under fair value accounting…………………….……………………………………… 
Pro forma income (loss) from continuing operations under fair value method………………………………………...… $

(2,973)
3,661
(6,634)

   $

   $

68,556
5,545
63,011

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations………………………………………………...……………  $
Per share stock-based compensation cost under fair value accounting…………………….……………………………  
Pro forma basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations………………………………………...………… $

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations………………………………………………...…………   $
Per share stock-based compensation cost under fair value accounting…………………….……………………………  
Pro forma diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations………………………………………...……… $

(0.12)
0.14
(0.26)

   $

   $

(0.12)
0.15
(0.27)

   $

   $

2.68
0.22
2.46

2.66
0.21
2.45

At  March 31, 2007,  the  Company had $3.2  million of unrecognized  compensation  expense related  to stock-based 
awards, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years.  During the fiscal years ended 
March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, the Company received $51.0 million, $3.1 million, and $4.9 million, respectively, from the 
exercise of stock options, and realized income tax benefits totaling $3.6 million, $0.1 million, and $3.1 million, respectively, 
from those transactions.  The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was approximately $10.7 million, $0.6 million, 
and $8.7 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.  Under SFAS 123R, excess tax 
benefits realized from the exercise or payout of stock-based awards are reported in cash flows from financing activities in the 
consolidated  statement  of  cash  flows.    The  Company  did  not  derive  any  excess  tax  benefits  related  to  stock-based  awards 
during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. 

68

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
            
              
  
              
             
            
               
                
                
  
                
               
                
               
                
                
  
                
               
                
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

 NOTE 13.    COMMITMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS  

Commitments 

The  Company  enters  into  contracts  to  purchase  tobacco  from  farmers  in  a  number  of  the  countries  in  which  it 
operates.  The majority of these contracts are with farmers in Brazil and several African countries.  Most contracts cover one 
annual  growing  season,  but  some  contracts  with  commercial  farmers  in  Africa  cover  multiple  years.    Primarily  with  the 
farmer  contracts  in  Brazil,  the  Company  provides  seasonal  financing  to  support  the  farmers’  production  of  their  crops  or 
guarantees their financing from third-party banks.  At March 31, 2007, the Company had contracts to purchase approximately 
$565 million of tobacco, $460 million of which represented volumes to be delivered during the coming fiscal year.  These 
amounts are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yields, and prices will depend on the quality of 
the  tobacco  delivered.    Tobacco  purchase  obligations  have  been  partially  funded  by  advances  to  farmers,  which  totaled 
approximately $113 million at March 31, 2007.  The Company withholds payments due to farmers on delivery of the tobacco 
to satisfy repayment of the seasonal or long-term financing it provided to, or guaranteed for, the farmers.  Arrangements to 
guarantee bank loans to farmers exist primarily in Brazil and are discussed in more detail below.  In addition to its contractual 
obligations to purchase tobacco, the Company has commitments related to approved capital expenditures and various other 
requirements that approximated $31 million at March 31, 2007. 

Guarantees and Other Contingent Liabilities 

Guarantees of bank loans to growers for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing 
assets  are  industry  practice  in  Brazil  and  support  the  farmers’  production  of  tobacco  there.    At  March  31,  2007,  the 
Company’s total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary in Brazil for banking facilities of farmers in 
that country was approximately $203 million.  About 60% of these guarantees expire within one year, and nearly all of the 
remainder  expire  within  five  years.    The  subsidiary  withholds  payments  due  to  the  farmers  on  delivery  of  tobacco  and 
forwards those payments to third-party banks.  Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary 
to  cover  their  obligations  to  third-party  banks  could  result  in  a  liability  for  the  subsidiary  under  the  related  guarantee; 
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 is the face amount, $203 million, and any unpaid accrued 
interest.  The accrual recorded for the value of the guarantees was approximately $10 million and $8 million at March 31, 
2007  and  2006,  respectively.    In  addition  to  these  guarantees,  the  Company  has  contingent  liabilities  related  to  European 
Commission fines in Italy and other legal matters, as discussed in Note 4.   

Major Customers 

A material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a few customers. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 
2007, 2006 and 2005, revenue from subsidiaries and affiliates of Altria Group, Inc. was approximately $673 million, $625 
million, and $510 million, respectively.  For the same periods, Japan Tobacco, Inc. accounted for revenue of approximately 
$370 million, $280 million, and $310 million, respectively. The loss of, or substantial reduction in business from, either of 
these customers would have a material adverse effect on the Company.  

69

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Accounts Receivable 

The  Company’s  operating  subsidiaries  perform  credit  evaluations  of  customers’  financial  condition  prior  to  the 
extension  of  credit.  Generally,  accounts  receivable  are  unsecured  and  are  due  within  30  days.  When  collection  terms  are 
extended for longer periods, interest and carrying costs are usually recovered. Credit losses are provided for in the financial 
statements, and such amounts have not been material. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $5.1 million 
and  $4.7  million  at  March  31,  2007  and  2006,  respectively.    The  allowance  was  increased  for  provisions  for  estimated 
uncollectible  amounts  of  $1.1  million  in  fiscal  year  2007,  $0.3  million  in  fiscal  year  2006,  and  $0.1  million  in  fiscal  year 
2005.  Amounts charged off to the allowance totaled approximately $1.0 million in fiscal year 2007, $0.4 million in fiscal 
year 2006, and $2.9 million in fiscal year 2005.  At March 31, 2007 and 2006, accounts receivable by reportable operating 
segment were as follows: 

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:

March 31, 

2007

2006

North America………………………………………………...……………………………………………..........……  $              24,804     $              13,582 
Other Regions…………………….………………………………………………………………….......…….……… 
           172,644 
Subtotal………………………………………...…………………………………………........….............………… 
           186,226 
Other Tobacco Operations………………………………………...…………………………………………........…......  
             26,412 
Consolidated accounts receivable……………………………………...…………………………………………........… $
212,638

           203,198    
           228,002    
             33,104    

261,106

   $

ICMS Tax Credits in Brazil 

The  Company’s  operating  subsidiary  in  Brazil  pays  significant  amounts  of  ICMS  (“Imposto  Sobre  Circulacao  de 
Mercadorias e Servicos”) tax.  ICMS is a value-added tax on the transfer of goods and services between states in Brazil and is 
paid when tobacco purchased from farmers outside the state of Rio Grande do Sul is brought into that state for processing.  
Payment of the ICMS tax generates tax credits that may be used to offset ICMS tax obligations generated on domestic sales 
of  processed  tobacco  and  agricultural  materials,  or  they  may  be  sold  or  transferred  to  third  parties.    Since  domestic  sales 
compose only about one-fifth of total sales, the subsidiary has historically generated excess ICMS tax credits that are offered 
and  sold  to  other  companies,  generally  at  a  discount,  upon  approval  from  state  tax  authorities.    During  fiscal  year  2005, 
changes in the ICMS tax regulations were implemented to limit the ability of companies to use purchased ICMS tax credits 
and to impose new restrictions, including consent from local governmental authorities, on the sale or transfer of those credits 
to third parties.  As a result of these changes, management determined that it was unlikely to realize, through use, sale, or 
transfer, a substantial amount of the unused ICMS tax credits.  The Brazilian operating subsidiary has recorded a valuation 
allowance on its ICMS tax credits based upon management’s assumptions about the future realization of these credits.  At 
March 31, 2007, the subsidiary held total ICMS tax credits of approximately $46 million, and the related valuation allowance 
was  approximately  $13  million.    At  March  31,  2006,  ICMS  tax  credits  totaled  approximately  $50  million,  and  the  related 
valuation allowance was approximately $14 million.  The allowance on ICMS tax credits may be adjusted in future periods 
based on market conditions and the subsidiary’s ability to use the excess tax credits or sell or transfer them to third parties.   

70

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
          
          
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Investment in Socotab L.L.C. 

Universal  has  a  49%  ownership  interest  in  Socotab  L.L.C.,  a  leading  processor  and  leaf  merchant  of  oriental 
tobaccos with operations located principally in Europe.  Summarized financial information for Socotab L.L.C. for its fiscal 
years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, is as follows: 

Income Statement Information:

Sales…………………..………….……………………………….......……………………   $
Gross profit…………………………..………………………........………………………   
Net income…………………………..……………………………………........………….  

307,390

   $

325,621

   $

             77,234    
             27,039 

             75,659    
             21,957 

339,525
             75,164 
             28,121 

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 
2006

2007

2005

Balance Sheet Information:

March 31,

2007

2006

Current assets………………………………………………....……………………………   $            227,187     $            172,893    
Property, plant and equipment and other assets……………………………………………  
             67,196    
Current liabilities………………………………………………...………………………… 
           102,785 
Long-term obligations and other liabilities………………………………………………..  
             21,851 
Minority interests………………………………………………..………………………… 

             69,396    
           146,363 
               8,432 

458

797

71

 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
          
          
          
  
 
                 
                 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 14.    OPERATING SEGMENTS 

Prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Universal evaluated and reported performance for the following three 
operating  segments,  which  were  based  on  product  categories:    tobacco,  lumber  and  building  products,  and  agri-products.  
Following the sale of the lumber and building products segment and a portion of the agri-products in September 2006, and 
the approval of a plan to sell the remaining agri-products businesses in December 2006, the Company redefined its operating 
segments to reflect its continuing worldwide leaf tobacco operations.  These operations involve selecting, buying, processing, 
packing, storing, shipping, and financing leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco 
products  throughout  the  world.    Through  various  operating  subsidiaries  located  in  tobacco-growing  countries  around  the 
world  and  significant  ownership  interests  in  unconsolidated  affiliates,  the  Company  processes  and/or  sells  flue-cured  and 
burley  tobaccos,  dark  air-cured  tobaccos,  and  oriental  tobaccos.    Flue-cured,  burley,  and  oriental  tobaccos  are  used 
principally in the manufacture of cigarettes, and dark air-cured tobaccos are used mainly in the manufacture of cigars, pipe 
tobacco,  and  smokeless  tobacco  products.    A  substantial  portion  of  the  Company’s  revenues  are  derived  from  sales  to  a 
limited number of large, multinational cigarette manufacturers. 

The principal approach used by management to evaluate the performance of the Company’s tobacco business is by 
geographic  region,  although  the  dark  air-cured  and  oriental  tobacco  businesses  are  each  evaluated  on  the  basis  of  their 
worldwide operations.  Oriental tobacco operations consist principally of a 49% interest in an affiliate, and the performance 
of those operations is evaluated based on the Company’s equity in the pretax earnings of that affiliate.  Under this structure, 
the  Company  has  the  following  primary  operating  segments:    North  America,  South  America,  Africa,  Europe,  Asia,  Dark 
Air-Cured, Special Services, and Oriental.  North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia are primarily involved 
in flue-cured and/or burley leaf tobacco operations for supply to cigarette manufacturers.  From time to time, the segments 
may trade in tobaccos that differ from their main varieties, but those activities are not significant to their overall results. 

The  five  regional  operating  segments  serving  the  Company’s  cigarette  manufacturer  customer  base  share  similar 
characteristics  in  the  nature  of  their  products  and  services,  production  processes,  class  of  customer,  product  distribution 
methods, and regulatory environment.  Based on the applicable accounting guidance, four of the regions – South America, 
Africa,  Europe,  and  Asia  –  are  aggregated  into  a  single  reporting  segment  because  they  also  have  similar  economic 
characteristics.    North  America  is  reported  as  an  individual  operating  segment  because  its  economic  characteristics  are 
dissimilar to the other regions, as its operations do not require significant working capital investments for crop financing and 
inventory,  and  toll  processing  is  an  important  source  of  its  operating  income.    The  Dark  Air-Cured,  Special  Services  and 
Oriental segments, which have dissimilar characteristics in some of the categories mentioned above, are reported as “other 
tobacco operations” because each is below the measurement threshold for separate reporting. 

Universal  incurs  overhead  expenses  related  to  senior  management,  finance,  legal,  and  other  functions  that  are 
centralized at its corporate headquarters, as well as functions performed at several sales and administrative offices around the 
world.  These overhead expenses are allocated to the various operating segments, generally on the basis of tobacco volumes 
processed and/or sold.  Management believes this method of allocation is representative of the value of the related services 
provided  to  the  operating  segments.    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 
of unconsolidated affiliates. 

Reportable segment data as of or for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, is as follows: 

72

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Sales and Other Operating Revenues
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2007

2005

Operating Income
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

Flue-cured and burley leaf
  tobacco operations:

North America…………………………   $
Other Regions (1)……………………… 
Subtotal……………………………… 
Other Tobacco Operations (2)……………  
Segment total……………………………… 

348,926
1,373,562
1,722,488
284,784
2,007,272

  $

  $

  $

257,306
1,256,872
1,514,178
267,134
1,781,312

298,990
1,136,895
1,435,885
231,308
1,667,193

   $

40,276
131,841
172,117
36,599
208,716

  $

25,075
74,121
99,196
31,671
130,867

6,665
135,564
142,229
37,878
180,107

Less:

Equity in pretax earnings of

unconsolidated affiliates (3)………… 

Restructuring and

 impairment costs (4)………………… 
 European Commission fines (4)………  
Consolidated total…………………………  $

2,007,272

   $

1,781,312

   $

1,667,193

   $

14,235

14,140

14,967

30,890
     — 
163,591

   $

57,463
      — 
59,264

   $

     — 
14,908
150,232

Segment Assets
March 31,
2006

2007

2005

2007

Goodwill
March 31,
2006

2005

Flue-cured and burley leaf
  tobacco operations:

North America…………………………   $
315,852
Other Regions (1)……………………… 
1,675,725
Subtotal……………………………… 
1,991,577
Other Tobacco Operations (2)……………  
294,808
Segment total……………………………… 
2,286,385
Assets of discontinued operations………… 
42,437
Consolidated total…………………………  $      2,328,822 

  $

307,013
1,459,033
1,766,046
300,570
2,066,616
826,048
$      2,892,664 

  $

309,523
1,436,237
1,745,760
294,874
2,040,634
844,690
$      2,885,324 

  $

     —     $

101,163
101,163
3,014
104,177

     —    

$         104,177 

      — 
100,603
100,603
2,219
102,822
      — 
$         102,822 

  $

     — 
100,559
100,559
2,204
102,763
     — 
$         102,763 

Depreciation and Amortization 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

Capital Expenditures 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2005

2007

Flue-cured and burley leaf
  tobacco operations:

North America…………………………   $
12,842
Other Regions (1)……………………… 
28,901
Subtotal……………………………… 
41,743
Other Tobacco Operations (2)……………  
6,562
Segment and consolidated total……………  $           48,305 

  $

15,076
32,592
47,668
2,643
$           50,311 

  $

18,330
35,665
53,995
2,215
$           56,210 

  $

3,043
17,780
20,823
4,355
$           25,178 

   $

3,877
42,850
46,727
9,016
$           55,743 

  $

3,320
73,594
76,914
1,984
$           78,898 

(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.  Oriental does not contribute significantly to

  the reported amounts for sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, or capital expenditures because  
  its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of an unconsolidated affiliate.  The investment in the 
  unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $93.5 million, $80.4 million, and $84.8 million at March 31,
   2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

(3) Item is included in segment operating income, but is not included in consolidated operating income.
(4) Item is not included in segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income.

73

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
       
     
     
       
         
         
    
 
  
 
  
 
     
  
         
 
     
    
 
  
  
 
     
  
         
     
       
 
     
 
     
 
       
  
         
 
       
    
 
  
 
  
 
     
  
       
 
     
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
       
         
       
 
       
         
       
    
    
    
       
         
       
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
       
     
     
    
 
  
 
  
 
     
  
       
 
     
    
 
  
  
 
     
  
       
     
       
     
     
         
           
         
    
  
  
     
       
     
         
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
       
       
         
           
         
         
 
       
 
       
 
       
  
         
 
       
         
 
       
       
 
       
  
         
       
           
 
         
 
         
 
         
  
           
 
         
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

As discussed in Note 3, in conjunction with redefining its operating segments to reflect the continuing operations in 
the  leaf  tobacco  business,  the  Company  reallocated  its  goodwill  to  revised  reporting  units  based  on  applicable  accounting 
guidance and wrote off $1.7 million of goodwill that was impaired. 

Geographic data as of or for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, is presented below.  Sales and 
other  operating  revenues  are  attributed  to  individual  countries  based  on  the  final  destination  of  the  shipment.    Long-lived 
assets consist of net property, plant, and equipment, goodwill, other intangibles, and certain other non-current assets. 

Geographic Data 

Sales and Other Operating Revenues
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2006

2007

2005

United States……………………………………………………………………………………………   $
Belgium…………………………………………………………………………………………………  
Germany………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
All other countries………………………………………………………………………………………  
Consolidated total………………………………………………………………………………………   $

364,217
347,576
219,250
1,076,229
2,007,272

$

$

365,514
280,767
171,859
963,172
1,781,312

United States……………………………………………………………………………………………   $
Brazil……………………………………………………………………………………………………  
Malawi…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 
Mozambique……………………………………………………………………………………………  
All other countries………………………………………………………………………………………  
Consolidated total………………………………………………………………………………………   $

Long-Lived Assets
March 31,
2006

$

$

131,995
179,416
66,827
50,432
116,283
544,953

2007

113,427
170,388
41,748
51,233
103,060
479,856

$

$

$

$

274,272
249,519
169,962
973,440
1,667,193

2005

162,373
180,491
59,054
38,569
141,294
581,781

74

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
    
       
       
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
  
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
         
         
         
         
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 15.    UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA  

Due  to  the  seasonal  nature  of  our  business,  management  believes  it  is  generally  more  meaningful  to  focus  on 

cumulative rather than quarterly results. 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007
Sales and other operating revenues…………….……………………………  $
Gross profit……………………………..………....……………................... 
Income (loss) from:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...............  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...……………............ 
Net income (loss)…………………..………...…………….........................… 
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders after

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

   $

446,917
84,275

   $

544,164
145,761

   $

511,706
133,358

504,485
80,356

(13,727)
11,379
(2,348)

37,238
(34,159)
3,079

35,799
(11,674)
24,105

21,121
(1,605)
19,516

dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock…………………..…… 

(5,895)

(634)

20,392

15,804

Net income (loss) per common share: 

Basic:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...........  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...…………….......  
Net income (loss)…………………..………...……………..................  

Diluted:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...........  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...…………….......  
Net income (loss)…………………..………...……………..................  
Cash dividends declared per common share………………………………… 
Market price range of common stock: 

High…………………..………...…………….........................…………… 
Low…………………..………...…………….........................…………… 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2006
Sales and other operating revenues…………….……………………………  $
Gross profit……………………………..………....……………................... 
Income (loss) from:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...............  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...……………............ 
Net income (loss)…………………..………...…………….........................… 
Net income (loss) per common share: 

Basic:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...........  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...…………….......  
Net income (loss)…………………..………...……………..................  

Diluted:

Continuing operations…………………..………...……………...........  
Discontinued operations…………………..………...…………….......  
Net income (loss)…………………..………...……………..................  
Cash dividends declared per common share………………………………… 
Market price range of common stock: 

High…………………..………...…………….........................…………… 
Low…………………..………...…………….........................…………… 

(0.67)
0.44
(0.23)

(0.67)
0.44
(0.23)
0.43

38.41
36.02

1.29
(1.32)
(0.03)

1.21
(1.12)
0.09
0.43

38.63
35.02

1.24
0.45
0.79

1.17
(0.38)
0.79
0.44

50.05
36.14

0.66
(0.06)
0.60

0.65
(0.06)
0.59
0.44

61.35
46.70

   $

394,514
75,735

   $

503,811
114,412

   $

475,359
98,546

407,628
80,410

898
10,921
11,819

0.03
0.43
0.46

0.03
0.43
0.46
0.42

48.03
43.08

21,737
4,777
26,514

0.85
0.18
1.03

0.85
0.18
1.03
0.42

47.70
38.83

(349)
(5,320)
(5,669)

(0.01)
(0.21)
(0.22)

(0.01)
(0.21)
(0.22)
0.43

43.99
36.31

(25,259)
535
(24,724)

(0.98)
0.02
(0.96)

(0.98)
0.02
(0.96)
0.43

48.21
36.17

75

 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
          
          
          
          
            
  
          
  
          
  
            
 
  
  
  
           
  
            
  
            
  
            
            
  
           
  
           
  
             
             
  
              
  
            
  
            
 
  
             
  
                
  
            
  
            
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
               
  
                
  
                
  
                
                
  
               
  
                
  
               
               
  
               
  
                
  
                
 
  
  
  
               
  
                
  
                
  
                
                
  
               
  
               
  
               
               
  
                
  
                
  
                
                
  
                
  
                
  
                
 
  
  
  
              
  
              
  
              
  
              
              
  
              
  
              
  
              
  
  
  
  
          
          
          
          
            
  
          
  
            
  
            
 
  
  
  
                 
  
            
  
                
  
           
            
  
              
  
             
  
                 
            
  
            
  
             
  
           
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
                
                
               
               
                
                
               
                
                
                
               
               
 
                
                
               
               
                
                
               
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
 
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Significant items included in the quarterly results are as follows: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

First Quarter 2007 – a $12.3 million impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of certain flue-cured tobacco 
growing  projects  in  Zambia  to  estimated  fair  value.    The  charge  did  not  provide  an  income  tax  benefit  and  thus 
reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $12.3  million,  or  $0.48  per  diluted  share.    In 
addition, the Company provided a valuation allowance of $4.9 million for deferred tax assets in Zambia that it no 
longer  expected  to  realize,  which  reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $4.9  million,  or 
$0.19 per diluted share. 

Second  Quarter  2007  –  provisions  for  uncollectible  farmer  advances  in  Brazil  and  in  several  African  countries 
totaling $25.2 million.  About half of those provisions related to African leaf growing projects that the Company is 
exiting.    The  Company  also  recorded  $12.8  million  in  lower-of-cost-or-market  inventory  charges  also  related  to 
those projects.    After  minority  interests  and  income  tax  effects,  these provisions reduced  income  from  continuing 
operations and net income by $24.9 million, or $0.81 per diluted share.  In addition, the Company recorded a loss of 
$32.8  million  before  income  taxes,  plus  related  income  tax  expense  of  $0.5  million,  on  the  sale  of  a  significant 
portion  of  its  non-tobacco  operations.    That  loss  increased  the  loss  from  discontinued  operations  and  reduced  net 
income by $33.3 million, or $1.09 per diluted share.   

Third Quarter 2007 –  a charge of $3.5 million for the impairment of certain equipment and goodwill that reduced 
income from continuing operations and net income by $2.3 million, or $0.08 per share.  In addition, an impairment 
charge of $11.1 million, with no income tax benefit, was recorded to reflect the estimated fair value, net of selling 
expenses, of the Company’s remaining agri-products businesses, which were classified as “held for sale” during the 
quarter.  That charge increased the loss from discontinued operations and reduced net income by $11.1 million, or 
$0.36 per share. 

Fourth  Quarter  2007  –    a  $12.9  million  charge  to  reflect  the  impairment  of  certain  flue-cured  tobacco  growing 
project  assets  in  Malawi  and  Zambia,  based  on  the  Company’s  decision  to  exit  those projects  and  sell  or  transfer 
their operations to third parties.  The Company also recorded additional provisions for losses on farmer advances in 
several  African  countries  totaling  $5.8  million,  as  well  as  a  $2.2  million  impairment  charge  on  an  aircraft  being 
marketed for sale.  Including income tax effects, the combined effect of the aforementioned items reduced income 
from continuing operations by $6.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  The Company also recorded an additional 
net loss on the sale of non-tobacco operations of $0.6 million, with no tax benefit.  That loss increased the loss from 
discontinued operations and reduced net income by $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. 

Third  Quarter  2006  –  a  $23.9  million  restructuring  and  impairment  charge  associated  with  the  closure  of  the 
Company’s  tobacco  processing  facility  in  Danville,  Virginia,  and  other  cost  reduction  initiatives.    The  charge 
reduced  income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $15.5  million,  or  $0.60  per  diluted  share.    In 
addition, the Company recorded lower-of-cost-or-market inventory charges of $10.2 million related to African leaf 
growing projects that it decided to exit in fiscal year 2007.  After minority interests and income taxes, these changes 
reduced income from continuing operations and net income by $6.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share.  In addition, 
significant  market  price  declines  in  two  products handled by  the  Company’s  agri-products  segment  (almonds  and 
sunflower  seeds)  resulted  in  $11.8  million  in  inventory  valuation  and  purchase  commitment  losses  that  reduced 
income from discontinued operations and net income by $7.4 million, or $0.29 per diluted share. 

Fourth  Quarter  2006  –  a  $4.4  million  restructuring  charge,  primarily  to  recognize  additional  voluntary  and 
involuntary employee separation costs related to the closure of the Danville, Virginia, tobacco processing facility.  
The charge reduced income from continuing operations and net income by $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share.  
In addition, a $29.2 million impairment charge was recorded to reduce the Company’s investment in its operating 
subsidiaries  in  Zimbabwe  to  estimated  fair  value.    That  charge  provided  no  tax  benefit,  and  therefore  reduced 
income  from  continuing  operations  and  net  income  by  $29.2  million,  or  $1.13  per  diluted  share.    Incremental 
provisions  for  losses  on  uncollectible  farmer  advances  in  several  African  countries,  Brazil,  and  the  Philippines 
reduced pre-tax income by $19.5 million, and income from continuing operations and net income by $9.1 million, or 
$0.35  per  diluted  share.    Further  market  price  declines  in  commodities  handled  by  the  agri-products  segment 
(principally almonds) resulted in additional inventory valuation and purchase commitment losses of $5.4 million that 
reduced income from discontinued operations and net income by $3.5 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. 

76

 
  
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
Universal Corporation 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Corporation as of March 31, 2007 and 
2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended March 31, 2007.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. 

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board 
(United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the 
amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.    An  audit  also  includes  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and 
significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as well  as  evaluating  the overall  financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe 
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In  our  opinion,  the  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  consolidated 
financial position of Universal Corporation at March 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its 
cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  March  31,  2007,  in  conformity  with  U.S.  generally  accepted 
accounting principles. 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for 

employee stock compensation plans and defined pension and other postretirement plans in 2007. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the effectiveness of Universal Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission and our report dated May 25, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

 /s/    Ernst & Young LLP   

Richmond, Virginia 
May 25, 2007 

77

   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
Universal Corporation 

We  have  audited  management’s  assessment,  included  in  the  accompanying  Item  9A,  Management’s  Report  on 
Internal  Control  Over  Financial  Reporting,  that  Universal  Corporation  maintained  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  as  of  March  31,  2007,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (the  COSO  criteria).    Universal  Corporation’s 
management  is  responsible  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  and  for  its  assessment  of  the 
effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting.    Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  management’s 
assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board 
(United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an 
understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting, evaluating  management’s  assessment,  testing  and  evaluating  the 
design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in 
the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles.   A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies 
and  procedures  that  (1)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  company  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and 
directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  
Also,  projections  of  any  evaluation  of  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that  controls  may  become 
inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the  degree  of  compliance  with  the  policies  or  procedures  may 
deteriorate. 

In  our  opinion,  management’s  assessment  that  Universal  Corporation  maintained  effective  internal  control  over 
financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria.  Also, in our 
opinion, Universal Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
March 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States),  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Universal  Corporation  as  of  March  31,  2007  and  2006,  and  the  related 
consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended  March  31,  2007,  of  Universal  Corporation  and  our  report  dated  May  25,  2007  expressed  an  unqualified  opinion 
thereon. 

 /s/    Ernst & Young LLP   

Richmond, Virginia 
May 25, 2007 

78

   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  

For the three years ended March 31, 2007, there were no changes in or disagreements between the Company and its 

independent auditors on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial disclosures.  

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to 
be disclosed in reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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  the  Company’s  management,  including  its  Chief  Executive 
Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  as  appropriate,  to  allow  for  timely  decisions  regarding  required  disclosure.    The 
Company’s  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  evaluated,  with  the  participation  of  the  Company’s 
management, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-
15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s 
management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.   

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial 
reporting  as  defined  in  Rule  13a-15(f)  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934.    The  Company’s  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  to  management  and  the  Board  of  Directors  regarding  the 
preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements.  Due to inherent limitations, internal control over 
financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  all  errors  or  misstatements  in  the  financial  statements,  and  even  control 
procedures  that  are  determined  to  be  effective  can  provide  only  reasonable  assurance  with  respect  to  financial  statement 
preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions. 

As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(c), the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 
with the participation of other members of management, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as of March 31, 2007.  The evaluation was based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control – Integrated 
Framework”  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (“the  COSO  criteria”).  
Based on its assessment, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 
was effective as of March 31, 2007. 

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, has 
been audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP.  Their attestation report 
on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appears on page 78 of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K. 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

There  were  no  changes  in  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  that  occurred  during  the 
Company’s  last  fiscal  quarter  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting. 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

None. 

79

   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance  

PART III 

Except as to the matters set forth below, information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the 

Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement.  

The following are executive officers of the Company as of May 25, 2007.  

Name

A. B. King
G. C. Freeman, III
H. H. Roper
D. C. Moore
K. M. L. Whelan
P. D. Wigner
R. M. Peebles
W. K. Brewer

Position
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
President
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Vice President and Treasurer
General Counsel and Secretary
Controller
Executive Vice President, Universal Leaf 

Age
60
43
58
51
60
38
49
48

There are no family relationships between any of the above officers.  

H.H. Roper and K.M.L. Whelan have been employed by the Company in their listed capacities during the last five 
years.    A.B.  King  served  as  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  from  December  1992  until  December  2002  and  was 
elected President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2003.  G.C. Freeman, III served as General Counsel and 
Secretary from February 1, 2001, until November 2005, and was elected Vice President in November 2005 and President in 
December  2006.    D.C.  Moore  was  elected  Vice  President  and  Chief  Administrative  Officer  effective  April  1,  2006,  and 
served as Senior Vice President of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated (“Universal Leaf”) from September 2005 
until April 2006, Managing Director of Universal Leaf International SA from April 2002 until September 2005, and Senior 
Vice  President  of  Universal  Leaf  Services  International  Ltd.  from  September  1999  until  April  2002.      P.D.  Wigner  was 
elected General Counsel and Secretary on November 2, 2005, served as Senior Counsel of Universal Leaf from November 
2004 until November 2005, Counsel of Universal Leaf from March 2003 until September 2004, and was an associate with 
Williams  Mullen,  P.C.  from  November  2000  until  March  2003.    R.M.  Peebles  was  elected  Controller  in  September  2003.  
Prior to that time, Mr. Peebles served as a consultant with The Gabriel Group, Inc. from June 2001 to August 2003, was the 
Assistant Controller with the Pittston Company from November 2000 to March 2001, and was Assistant Controller of CSX 
Corporation from June 1997 to October 2000. W.K. Brewer served as Vice President, International Processing Director of 
Universal Leaf from 1993 to 2002, President of Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc. from January 1, 2002 until March 
2006 and was elected Executive Vice President of Universal Leaf on March 24, 2006.   

The Company has a Business Ethics Policy that includes the New York Stock Exchange’s requirements for a “Code 
of  Business  Conduct  and  Ethics”  and  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission’s  requirements  for  a  “Code  of  Ethics  for 
Senior Financial Officers.”  A copy of the Business Ethics Policy is available through the “Investor/Corporate Governance” 
section of the Company’s website at www.universalcorp.com.  If the Company amends a provision of the Business Ethics 
Policy,  or  grants  a  waiver  from  any  such  provision  to  a  director  or  executive  officer,  the  Company  will  disclose  such 
amendments and the details of such waivers on the Company’s website to the extent required by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission or the New York Stock Exchange.  

The  information required by Items  407(c)(3), (d)(4)  and  (d)(5) of  Regulation S-K  is  contained  under  the  captions 
“Governance of the Company—Director Nomination Process”, “Board and Committee Membership—Audit Committee” of 
the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein. 

Item 11.    Executive Compensation  

Refer  to  the  captions  “Executive  Compensation”  and  “Directors’  Compensation”  in  the  Company’s  2007  Proxy 

Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.  

80

   
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters  

Shares of the Company’s common stock are authorized for issuance with respect to the Company’s compensation 
plans.  The  following  table  sets  forth  information  as  of  March  31,  2007,  with  respect  to  compensation  plans  under  which 
shares of the Company’s common stock are authorized for issuance.   

Number of Securities to Be
Issued upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans1

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans approved

  by shareholders:

  1989 Executive Stock Plan….......…………………………...……

  1997 Executive Stock Plan….....…………………...……………

  1994 Amended and Restated Stock

    Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors………….……………

  2002 Executive Stock Plan…….…………………………………

Equity compensation plans not 

  approved by shareholders3………….……………………………
Total…………………………………………...........………………… 

17,153

113,534

31,000

796,128

    —   

957,815

$            

38.20

36.02

35.57

42.17

    —   

$            

41.16

515,576 2

515,576

1

2

3

Amounts exclude any securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights. 

The 2002 Executive Stock Plan permits grants of stock options and stock appreciation rights, and awards of common stock, restricted stock, and 
phantom stock/restricted stock units.  Of the 515,576 shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance under that plan, 464,400 
shares are available for awards of common stock or restricted stock.  

All of the Company’s equity compensation plans have been approved by shareholders. 

Refer  also  to  the  caption  “Stock  Ownership”  in  the  Company’s  2007  Proxy  Statement,  which  information  is 

incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  

Refer  to  the  caption  “Certain  Transactions”  in  the  Company’s  2007  Proxy  Statement,  which  information  is 
incorporated herein by reference.   The information required by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is contained under the caption 
“Governance  of  the  Company—Director  Independence”  of  the  Company’s  2007  Proxy  Statement  and  such  information  is 
incorporated by reference herein. 

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services  

Refer to the caption “Audit Information – Fees of Independent Auditors” and “Audit Information – Pre-Approval 

Policies and Procedures” in the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. 

81

   
 
 
  
 
 
              
              
              
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules  

(a) 

The following are filed as part of this Form 10-K: 

 PART IV  

1.  Financial Statements.  All financial statements are set forth in Item 8. 
2.  Financial Statement Schedules.  None. 
3.  Exhibits.  The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature pages to this Form 

10-K. 

(b) 

Exhibits 

The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section to this Form 10-K. 

(c) 

Financial Statement Schedules 

All  schedules  are  omitted  since  the  required  information  is  not  present  in  amounts  sufficient  to  require 
submission  or  because  the  information  required  is  included  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes 
therein. 

82

   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  the 

Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

SIGNATURES  

May 30, 2007 

      UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

         By:                      /s/    ALLEN B. KING   

___________________________________________________________________________ 
Allen B. King 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below 

by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  

Signature

Title

Date

/s/    ALLEN B. KING

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and

May 30, 2007

Allen B. King

Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    HARTWELL H. ROPER

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 30, 2007

Hartwell H. Roper

 (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    ROBERT M. PEEBLES

Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

May 30, 2007

Robert M. Peebles

/s/    JOHN B. ADAMS, JR.

Director

John B. Adams, Jr.

/s/    CHESTER A. CROCKER

Director

Chester A. Crocker

/s/    JOSEPH C. FARRELL

Director

Joseph C. Farrell

/s/    CHARLES H. FOSTER, JR.

Director

Charles H. Foster, Jr.

/s/    THOMAS H. JOHNSON

Director

Thomas H. Johnson

83

May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
/s/    EDDIE N. MOORE, JR.

Director

May 30, 2007

Eddie N. Moore, Jr.

 /s/    JEREMIAH J. SHEEHAN

Director

May 30, 2007

Jeremiah J. Sheehan

/s/    HUBERT R. STALLARD

Director

May 30, 2007

Hubert R. Stallard

/s/    WALTER A. STOSCH

Director

May 30, 2007

Walter A. Stosch

/s/    DR. EUGENE P. TRANI

Director

May 30, 2007

Dr. Eugene P. Trani

84

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number  Document 

2.1 

3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.8 

4.9 

4.10 

4.11 

4.12 

4.13 

4.14 

Purchase  and  Sale  Agreement,  dated  July  6,  2006,  by  and  between  the  Registrant,  Deli  Universal,  Inc.,  NVDU 
Acquisition B.V., and N.V. Deli Universal (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed July 11, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

Amended  and  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  8-A 
Registration Statement, dated December 22, 1998, File No. 1-652). 

Amendment  to  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  in  the  form  of  a  Certificate  of  Designation  with  respect  to  Series  B 
6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (as of March 10, 2006) (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

Indenture  between  the  Registrant  and  Chemical  Bank,  as  trustee  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 1991, File No. 1-652). 

Rights  Agreement,  dated  as  of  December  3,  1998,  between  the  Registrant  and  Wachovia  Bank,  N.A.,  as  Rights 
Agent (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 1998, 
File No. 1-652). 

First  Amendment  to  the  Rights  Agreement,  dated  as  of  April  23,  1999,  between  the  Registrant,  Wachovia  Bank, 
N.A.,  as  Rights  Agent,  and  Norwest  Bank  Minnesota,  N.A.,  as  Successor  Rights  Agent  (incorporated  herein  by 
reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 1999, File No. 1-652). 

Specimen  Common  Stock  Certificate  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Amendment  No.  1  to 
Registrant’s Form 8-A Registration Statement, dated May 7, 1999, File No. 1-652). 

Distribution Agreement dated September 6, 2000 (including forms of Terms Agreement, Pricing Supplement, Fixed 
Rate Note and Floating Rate Note) (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Report 8-K 
dated September 6, 2000, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  November  21,  2007  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated November 21, 2000, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  December  15,  2010  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated December 15, 2000, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  February  15,  2008  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated February 12, 2001, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated September 3, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  20,  2007  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated September 20, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  26,  2012  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated September 26, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number  Document 

4.15 

4.16 

4.17 

10.1 

10.2 

10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

10.8 

10.9 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated November 4, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated November 7, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

Form  of  Fixed  Rate  Note  due  September  15,  2009  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2002, File No. 1-652). 

The Registrant, by signing this Report on Form 10-K, agrees to furnish the Securities and Exchange Commission, 
upon its request, a copy of any instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant and 
its consolidated subsidiaries, and for any unconsolidated subsidiaries for which financial statements are required to 
be filed, and that authorizes a total amount of securities not in excess of 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and 
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. 

Universal Corporation Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to the 
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991, File No. 1-652). 

Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company,  Incorporated  Supplemental  Stock  Purchase  Plan  (incorporated  herein  by 
reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991, File No. 1-652). 

Form of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Executive Life Insurance Agreement (incorporated herein 
by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, File No. 1-
652). 

Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company,  Incorporated  Deferred  Income  Plan  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the 
Registrant’s Report on Form 8, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 1-652). 

Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Benefit Replacement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the 
Registrant’s Report on Form 8, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 1-652).      

Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1996 Benefit Restoration Plan (incorporated herein by reference to 
the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, File No. 1-652). 

Universal Corporation 1989 Executive Stock Plan, as amended on August 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference 
to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, File No. 1-652). 

Universal Corporation 1991 Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to 
the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1991, File No. 1-652). 

Amendment to Universal Corporation 1991 Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreement (incorporated herein 
by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992, File No. 1-
652). 

10.10  Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1994 Deferred Income Plan, amended and restated as of September 
1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 1998, File No. 1-652). 

10.11  Universal Corporation Outside Directors’ Deferred Income Plan, restated as of October 1, 1998 (incorporated herein 
by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, File No. 
1-652). 

10.12  Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1994 Benefit Replacement Plan (incorporated herein by reference 

to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, File No. 1-652). 

10.13  Form  of  Universal  Corporation  1994  Stock  Option  and  Equity  Accumulation  Agreement  (incorporated  herein  by 
reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994, File No. 1-
652). 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number  Document 

10.14  Universal Corporation 1994 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors dated October 
27, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2003, File No. 1-652). 

10.15  Form  of  Universal  Corporation  Non-Employee  Director  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Agreement  (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.16  Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company,  Incorporated  Benefit  Restoration  Plan  Trust,  dated  June  25,  1997,  among 
Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company,  Incorporated,  Universal  Corporation  and  Wachovia  Bank,  N.A.,  as  trustee 
(incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 
1997, File No. 1-652). 

10.17  First Amendment to the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Benefit Restoration Trust, dated January 
12,  1999,  between  Universal  Leaf  Tobacco  Company,  Incorporated  and  Wachovia  Bank,  N.A.,  as  trustee 
(incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 
31, 1998, File No. 1-652). 

10.18  Form  of  Universal  Corporation  1997  Restricted  Stock  Agreement  with  Schedule  of  Awards  to  named  executive 
officers (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
December 31, 1997, File No. 1-652). 

10.19  Form of Universal Corporation 1997 Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreement, with Schedule of Grants to 
named executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended December 31, 1997, File No. 1-652). 

10.20  Form  of  Universal  Corporation  Non-Employee  Director  Restricted  Stock  Agreement  (incorporated  herein  by 
reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, File No. 1-
652). 

10.21  Form of Employment Agreement dated November 17, 2006, between Universal Corporation and named executive 
officers  (Allen  B.  King,  Harwell  H.  Roper,  and  George  C.  Freeman,  III)  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 24, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

10.22  Universal  Corporation  Director’s  Charitable  Award  Program  (incorporated  herein by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s 

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, File No. 1-652). 

10.23  Universal Corporation 1997 Executive Stock Plan, as amended on August 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference 
to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, File No. 1-652). 

10.24  Form of Universal Corporation 1999 Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreement, with Schedule of Grants to 
Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended June 30, 2001, File No. 1-652). 

10.25  Form of Amendment to Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreements dated December 31, 1999 (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.26  Form of Universal Corporation 2000 Special Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, with Schedule of Grants and 
Exercise Loans to named executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, File No. 1-652). 

10.27  Form  of  Amendment  to  Stock  Option  and  Equity  Accumulation  Agreements  dated  March  15,  1999  (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.28  Form of Amendment to Stock Option and Equity Accumulation Agreements dated December 8, 2000 (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File 
No. 1-652). 

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number  Document 

10.29  Form  of  Amendment  to  Stock  Option  and  Equity  Accumulation  Agreements  dated  June  11,  2001  (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.30  Form  of  Amendment  to  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Agreements  dated  June  11,  2001  (incorporated  herein  by 

reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File No. 1-652). 

10.31  Form of Amendment to 2000 Special Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreements dated June 15, 2001 (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.32  Form of 2001 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, with Schedule of Grants to Executive Officers (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.33  Universal Corporation 2002 Executive Stock Plan, as amended on August 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference 

to the Registrant’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, file no. 1-652). 

10.34  Form  of  2002 Stock  Option and  Equity  Accumulation  Agreement,  with Schedule of Grants  to  Executive  Officers 
(incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 
2003, File No. 1-652). 

10.35  Form of 2002 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, with Schedule of Grants to Executive Officers (incorporated 
herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, File 
No. 1-652). 

10.36  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  January  7,  2005,  among  the  Registrant  and  the  Registrant’s  subsidiaries  identified 
therein as a “Guarantor” and such other entities as may from time to time become a party thereto, the lenders named 
therein  and  such  other  lenders  as  may  become  a  party  thereto,  and  Wachovia  Bank,  National  Association,  as 
Administrative  Agent  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed 
January 13, 2005, File No. 1-652). 

10.37  Form of 2005 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed June 9, 2005, File No. 1-652). 

10.38  First  Amendment  to  Credit  Agreement,  dated  as  of  March  27,  2006,  among  the  Registrant,  as  Borrower,  and  the 
banks named therein as Lenders (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed March 31, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

10.39  Form  of  Restricted  Stock  Units  Award  Agreement  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

10.40  Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report 

on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2006, File No. 1-652). 

10.41  Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement.* 

10.42  Form  of  Amended  Employee  Grantor  Trust  Enrollment  Agreement  dated  December  29,  2006,  between  Universal 
Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated and named executive officers (Allen B. King, George C. Freeman, III, and 
Hartwell H. Roper) (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 
5, 2007, File No. 1-652). 

12 

21 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.* 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number  Document 

23 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.* 

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 

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

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

32.2 
______        
* Filed herewith. 

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS

CERTIFICATIONS
The Company’s Chief Executive 
Offi cer and Chief Financial 
Offi cer have fi led the certifi cations 
required by Section 302 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission as exhibits to the 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. 
In addition, the Company’s Chief 
Executive Offi cer annually fi les with 
the New York Stock Exchange the 
corporate governance certifi cation 
required by Listing Standard 
303A.12. The certifi cation was 
submitted, without qualifi cation, as 
required after the Company’s 2006 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

STOCK LISTED
New York Stock Exchange

STOCK SYMBOL
UVV

DIVIDEND       
REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Company offers to its 
common shareholders an automatic 
dividend reinvestment and 
cash payment plan to purchase 
additional shares. The Company 
bears all brokerage and service fees. 
Booklets describing the plan in 
detail are available upon request.

TRANSFER AGENT AND 
REGISTRAR AND DIVIDEND 
REINVESTMENT PLAN AGENT
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64854
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854
(800) 468-9716
or
Universal Corporation
Shareholder Services
(804) 359-9311

ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting will be held 
at the offi ces of the Company, 
1501 N. Hamilton Street, 
Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, 
August 7, 2007. A proxy statement 
and request for proxies are included 
in this mailing to shareholders.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
P.O. Box 680
Richmond, Virginia 23218-0680

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Contact:
Karen M. L. Whelan
Vice President and Treasurer
(804) 359-9311
Information Requests:
(804) 254-1813 or
investor@universalleaf.com

DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
Dividend declarations are subject to 
approval by the Company’s Board 
of Directors. Dividends on the 
Company’s common stock have 
traditionally been paid quarterly 
in February, May, August, and 
November to shareholders of record 
on the second Monday of the 
previous month.

SEC FORM 10-K
Shareholders may obtain additional 
copies of the Company’s report to the 
Securities and Exchange Commission 
on its website or by writing to the 
Treasurer of the Company. 

www.universalcorp.com

P.O. Box 25099
Richmond, VA. 23260

www.universalcorp.com