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Universal Corporation

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FY2011 Annual Report · Universal Corporation
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Annual Report

A B O U T   T H E   C O M P A N Y

Universal Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, 

was founded in 1918. Universal, through its subsidiaries and 

affi liates,  is  the  leading  global  leaf  tobacco  merchant  and 

processor. The largest portion of the company’s business 

involves the procurement, processing, packing, and supply 

of  fl ue-cured  and  burley  leaf  tobacco  to  manufacturers 

of  consumer  tobacco  products.  Universal  conducts  its 

business  in  more  than  30  countries  and  employs  over 

26,000 permanent and seasonal workers.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

in thousands, except per share data

Operations

Sales and other operating revenues 

$   2,571,527

$   2,491,738

$   2,554,659

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2011

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009

Operating income 

Net income

Net income attributable to Universal Corporation

Per Common Share

Net income attributable to Universal Corporation 

254,600

164,550

156,565

257,209

170,345

168,397

209,932

132,561

131,739

common shareholders—diluted

$            5.42

$            5.68

$            4.32

Dividends declared

Indicated 12-month dividend rate

Market price at year end

At Year End

Working capital

Total Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity *

1.90

1.92

43.54

1.86

1.88

52.69

1.82

1.84

29.92

$   1,065,883

1,185,606

$   1,078,077

$      954,044

1,122,570

1,029,473

8
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5

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4
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5

2
3
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4

1
7
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3

2
5
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2

8
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8
1

6
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5
1

0
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3
1

8
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2
1

8
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3

6
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4
5
2

2
.
7
5
2

9
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9
0
2

5
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1
9
1

6
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3
6
1

1
1

0
1

9
0

8
0

7
0

1
1

0
1

9
0

8
0

7
0

1
1

0
1

9
0

8
0

7
0

NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE 
(CONTINUING OPERATIONS) *
In dollars

RETURN ON BEGINNING 
COMMON EQUITY *
Percentage

OPERATING INCOME
In millions of dollars

*  Attributable to Universal Corporation after deducting amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in 

consolidated subsidiaries.

2 0 1 1   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

1

 
BOARD OF  DIREC T ORS

Universal Corporation

GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III 1 * 3
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Offi cer
Universal Corporation

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

CHARLES H. FOSTER, JR. 1  3 * 5
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer
LandAmerica Financial 
Group, Inc.

THOMAS H. JOHNSON 1  5
Chief Executive Offi cer
The Taffrail Group, LLC

EDDIE N. MOORE, JR. 2  3  4 *
President, Emeritus
Virginia State University

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

ROBERT C. SLEDD 2  4
Managing Partner
Pinnacle Ventures, LLC

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

DR. EUGENE P. TRANI  2  4
President Emeritus and 
University Distinguished Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University

C H A I R M E N   E M E R I T U S

HENRY H. HARRELL

ALLEN B. KING

1  Executive Committee  

2  Pension Investment Committee 

3  Finance Committee 

4  Audit Committee

5  Executive Compensation, Nominating,
and Corporate Governance Committee

*  Committee Chairman

From Left to right: Robert C. Sledd, John B. Adams, Jr., Thomas H. Johnson, Hubert R. Stallard, George C. Freeman, III, Charles H. Foster, Jr., 
Dr. Eugene P. Trani, Chester A. Crocker, Eddie N. Moore, Jr., Jeremiah J. Sheehan. Portrait: J.P. Taylor, Founder of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. 

2  

U N I V E R S A L   C O R P O R A T I O N

 
Directors  Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc.

GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Offi cer

W. KEITH BREWER
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Offi cer

DAVID C. MOORE
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Offi cer

RAY M. PAUL, JR.
Executive Vice President

THEODORE G. BROOME
Executive Vice President,
Sales Director

WILLIAM J. CORONADO
Senior Vice President,
Operations

JAMES A. HUFFMAN
Senior Vice President,
Information & Planning

KAREN M. L. WHELAN
Senior Vice President

PRESTON D. WIGNER
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel,
Assistant Secretary, and
Chief Compliance Offi cer

ORLANDO ASTUTI
Managing Director,
Europe Region

FRIEDRICH G. BOSSERT
Managing Director,
Dark Air-Cured Region

BARRY F. DILLEHAY
Managing Director,
Asia Region

CLAY G. FRAZIER
Managing Director,
North America Region

CHARLES A. M. GRAHAM
Managing Director,
Africa Region

AIRTON HENTSCHKE
Managing Director,
South America Region

JONATHAN WERTHEIMER
President, 
Socotab, L.L.C.

Offi cers  Universal Corporation

GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Offi cer

W. KEITH BREWER
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Offi cer

DAVID C. MOORE
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Offi cer

KAREN M. L. WHELAN
Vice President and
Treasurer

WILLIAM J. CORONADO
Vice President

PRESTON D. WIGNER
Vice President,
General Counsel,
Secretary, and
Chief Compliance Offi cer

ROBERT M. PEEBLES
Vice President and
Controller

JOSEPH W. HEARINGTON, JR.
Corporate Director,
Internal Auditing

PAMELA J. KEPPLE
Corporate Director,
Taxes

CATHERINE H. CLAIBORNE
Assistant Secretary

2 0 1 1   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   3

T O OUR SHAREHOLDERS

We closed fi scal year 2011 on a positive note with diluted earnings per share 

of  $5.42,  very  near  the  record  earnings  we  achieved  in  fi scal  year  2010.  Following 

unusually high demand during fi scal years 2009 and 2010, volumes were off somewhat 

for the year, but overall performance was solid.

I  am  very  proud  of  our  results  in  fi scal  year  2011.  The  depth  and  quality  of 

our  personnel  and  worldwide  operations  continued  to  serve  us  well  by  providing  a 

sound base from which to capitalize on opportunities as they presented themselves. 

However,  I  am  particularly  proud  of  our  accomplishments  in  light  of  the  challenging 

market conditions that we faced. In the last two years, both Japan Tobacco and Philip 

Morris  International  have  taken  steps  to  purchase  more  of  their  leaf  needs  directly 

from farmers. We have already experienced the main effects of Japan Tobacco’s move 

last  year  in  the  United  States,  Malawi,  and  Brazil.  Philip  Morris  International’s  recent 

assumption of farmer contracts will reduce our Brazilian purchases in fi scal year 2012.  

As we said last year, we expect our processing volumes in the United States to decline 

signifi cantly as two important U.S. processing contracts have expired. That reduction of 

U.S. business could cause a decrease in operating income of about $30 million. In the 

near term, it will be a challenge to replace those processing volumes, but globally we 

have had good success in broadening our customer base and expanding the services 

we offer our customers over the last year, as evidenced by our results.

4

U N I V E R S A L   C O R P O R A T I O N

 
 
As  I  write,  markets  in  Brazil  and  Africa  are  in  full  swing,  and  we  are  seeing 

the  effects  of  the  leaf  oversupply  that  we  have  been  predicting.  We  expect  to  see 

the  fi nancial  impact  of  lower  leaf  prices  and  tighter  margins  that  typify  such  cycles 

in fi scal year 2012 and probably into fi scal year 2013. We believe that, during the two 

prior fi scal years of higher than normal demand, some customers increased their leaf 

inventory levels. Those higher inventories, combined with softer cigarette sales in some 

markets, have led to reduced leaf demand for current crops, evidenced by slower than 

normal purchasing in major markets. Of course, that situation can also create buying 

opportunities for those customers who are able to take advantage of lower prices and 

good quality to make strategic purchases.

Periodic cycles of under- and oversupply of leaf are part of our business, and 

we have successfully navigated many oversupplied markets during the long history of 

the company. Although dealer unsold inventories are currently not excessive, we expect 

they will grow over the next year or two. Our uncommitted inventories are currently at 

very manageable levels, and we are working aggressively to avoid excess inventories 

during the oversupply period. However, we will not be able to avoid some accumulation 

of unsold inventory or the inevitable pressure on margins that comes with that part of 

the cycle. As we saw this oversupply developing, we began taking steps to mitigate its 

effects. I am confi dent that we will successfully manage our way through this cycle as 

we have in the past. We are approaching decisions in each market in a very focused 

and informed manner, always careful not to overreact and reduce productive capacity 

that we will need in the future. Our business partners, both farmers and manufacturers, 

are also keenly aware of the situation, and we are having a productive dialogue on how 

best to address it. The dealer industry adds value to the system, and these discussions 

are proof of that value.

2 0 1 1   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

5

 
 
We believe that our discipline, our dedicated workforce, and our conservative 

capital  structure  will  serve  us  well  through  this  market  cycle.  We  are  also  continuing 

our cost-saving restructuring initiatives, and we will remain focused on opportunities to 

control or reduce costs. As we do that, we are mindful that it can mean saying farewell 

to some good friends. That is never easy, especially in a company that values loyalty as 

we do. I assure you that we will always be fair and respectful of our people.  

It is with a bit of sadness and a full measure of respect that I note that Hubert 

R. Stallard will retire from the Board of Directors in August after 20 years of service. 

He  has  held  the  chair  of  the  Pension  Investment  Committee  for  more  than  half  that 

time, and his steady hand there helped us deal with the effects of the fi nancial crisis 

on  our  pension  assets.  I  salute  his  long  service  to  the  Company  and  especially  note 

that  his  consensus-building  style  has  been  invaluable  to  me  and  all  the  Company’s 

management  over  the  years.  His  long-term  perspective  has  been  appreciated.  Hugh 

recently  said  that  he  had  experienced  several  periods  of  oversupply  during  his  time 

6

U N I V E R S A L   C O R P O R A T I O N

 
 
with  the  Company,  but  never  before  seen  the  Company  better  prepared  to  deal  with 

the situation than it is today. It is all about teamwork among the directors, management 

at headquarters, management in the origins, and our employees worldwide. It is also 

about maintaining effective dialogue with our partners, both suppliers and customers. 

Hugh embodies the collegial and respectful spirit that permeates our Company today. 

We will all miss his leadership greatly.

George C. Freeman, III
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Offi cer 

2 0 1 1   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

7

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return 

Universal Corporation

S&P Midcap 400

Peer Group

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

3/06

3/07

3/08

3/09

3/10

3/11

The  performance  graph  compares  the  cumulative  total  shareholder  return  on  Universal  Corporation 

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.  The  graph  assumes  that  $100  was  invested  in  Universal  Corporation  common  stock  at  the  end  of  the 

Company’s 2006 fi scal year, and in each of the comparative indices, in each case with dividends reinvested.

C U M UL A T I V E   T O T AL   RE T UR N  O N 
UNIVERSAL  CORPORATION COMMON STOCK

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

At March 31

Universal Corporation

$    100.00

$    174.36

$    192.08

$     91.52

 $    169.12

 $    146.02

S & P Midcap 400

Peer Group

100.00

100.00

108.45

189.92

100.89

124.28

64.47

79.01

105.78

104.73

134.29

82.72

8

U N I V E R S A L   C O R P O R A T I O N

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10 - K

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, 2011 
OR
[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM  

 TO__________________  

Commission File Number:  001-00652 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Virginia 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

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

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

23235 
(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 

Name of each exchange on 
which registered 
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 [  ]  No [x] 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   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.   [  ] 

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

Large accelerated filer [x]        Accelerated filer [  ]         Non-accelerated filer [  ]        Smaller reporting company [  ] 

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  voting  and  non-voting  common  equity  held  by  non-affiliates,  based  upon  the 
closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange of the registrant’s common stock on September 30, 2010, the last day of the 
registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $825 million.  

As of May 23, 2011, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was 23,160,312. 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Certain  information  contained  in  the  2011  Proxy  Statement  for  the  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of  the  registrant  is 
incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. 

 
 
 
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[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item No.

Page

1.

1A.

1B.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

7A.

8.

9.

9A.

9B.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

PART I

   Business.............................................................................................................................................................................
   Risk Factors........................................................................................................................................................................
   Unresolved Staff Comments............................................................................................................................................
   Properties............................................................................................................................................................................
   Legal Proceedings.............................................................................................................................................................
   (Removed and Reserved).................................................................................................................................................

PART II

   Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters

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

Selected Financial Data....................................................................................................................................................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

     Results of Operations..................................................................................................................................................

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk...................................................................................

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

     and Financial Disclosure.............................................................................................................................................

Controls and Procedures..................................................................................................................................................

Other Information..............................................................................................................................................................

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance..........................................................................................

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.......................................................................................................................

3

8

12

13

14

15

16

18

20

36

38

93

93

93

94

95

95

95

95

PART IV

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

96

Signatures...........................................................................................................................................................................

98

2

 
General 

This  Annual  Report  on  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,  as  amended  (the  “Exchange  Act”).  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  (the  “SEC”)  and  in  reports  to  shareholders.  These 
forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” 
“should,”  “may,”  “plan,”  “will,”  “predict,”  “estimate,”  and  similar  expressions  or  words  of  similar  import.  These  forward-
looking statements are based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and 
uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, 
prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties 
include,  but  are  not  limited  to:    anticipated  levels  of  demand  for  and  supply  of  our  products  and  services;  costs  incurred  in 
providing these products and services; timing of shipments to customers; changes in market structure; government regulation; 
product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in exchange rates; and 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” 
in Item 7 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 the context in which it is used. 

PART I 

Item 1.   Business  

A.     

The Company  

Overview

We are the leading global leaf tobacco merchant and processor.  We operate in over 30 countries on five continents.  

Tobacco has been our principal focus since our founding in 1918.  The largest portion of our business involves the procurement,
processing,  packing,  and  supply  of  flue-cured  and  burley  leaf  tobacco  to  manufacturers  of  consumer  tobacco  products.    The 
reportable segments for our flue-cured and burley tobacco operations are North America and Other Regions.  We also have a 
third  reportable  segment,  Other  Tobacco  Operations,  which  comprises  our  dark  tobacco  business,  our  oriental  tobacco  joint 
venture,  and  certain  tobacco-related  services.    We  generated  approximately  $2.6  billion  in  consolidated  revenues  and  earned 
approximately $258 million in total segment operating income in fiscal year 2011.  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.    

3

Key Operating Principles 

We believe that by following several key operating principles we can continue to produce good financial returns from 

our business and enhance shareholder value.  These key operating principles are:  

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Strategic collaboration. We work closely with both our customers and suppliers to ensure that we deliver a product 
that  meets  our  customers’  needs  and  to  promote  a  strong  supplier  base.    We  believe  these  relationships  are 
particularly  appropriate  to the leaf tobacco industry where volume at an appropriate price is a key factor in long-
term profitability.  We work to secure adequate factory volumes in all markets where we operate, but we balance 
that  objective  with  the  cost  of  sourcing  incremental  volumes  in  markets  where  we  provide  financing  to  farmers.  
Collaboration supports the optimization of our inventory levels to reduce risk during market downturns by enabling 
us to target our tobacco production contracts against customer purchase indications.  Our challenge is to adapt our 
business model to meet our customers’ evolving needs while continuing to provide stability of supply and the high 
level of service that distinguishes our product. 

Strong local management.  We operate with strong local management in major leaf tobacco markets.  We believe 
that  having  strong  local  management  in  each  origin  helps  us  better  identify  and  adjust  to  changes  in  market 
conditions and provides us with specific market knowledge quickly.  We believe this is a key factor in our ability to 
continue to deliver the high quality, competitively priced products that our customers expect. 

(cid:120) Diversified  sources.    We  strive  to  maintain  diversified  sources  of  leaf  tobacco  to  minimize  reliance  on  any  one 
sourcing  area  so  long  as  customers  are  willing  to  support  such  diversity.  Although  proportions  vary  with  relative 
crop sizes, historically, South America has provided between 25% and 35% of the aggregate volume of flue-cured 
and burley tobacco that we handle, and North America and Africa each have provided between 20% and 30% of that 
aggregate  volume.    However,  industry  changes,  in  particular  lower  processing  volumes  in  the  United  States,  may 
affect  the  relative  quantities  that  we  handle.    These  changes  are  discussed  in  more  detail  in  Item  7  under  “Other 
Information Regarding Trends and Management Actions.” 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

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 compliant product in a cost-effective manner.  We sponsor farmer programs in 
good  agricultural  practices,  the  reduction  of  non-tobacco  related  materials,  product  traceability,  environmental 
sustainability, and social responsibility, among others. 

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  believe  that 
lower  interest  and  capital  costs  give  us  a  competitive  advantage.  Our  financial  strength  also  affords  us  financial 
flexibility in dealing with customer requirements and market changes.  We work to sustain our creditworthiness. 

Additional Information 

Our  website  address  is  www.universalcorp.com.  We  post  regulatory  filings  on  this  website  as  soon  as  reasonably 
practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  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 SEC.  Access to these filings on our website is available free of charge.  Copies are 
also available, without charge, from Universal Corporation Investor Relations, 9201 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23235. 
Reports filed with the SEC may be viewed at www.sec.gov or obtained at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. 
Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  We 
also post our press releases on our website.  Information on our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Annual Report. 

In  addition,  our  Corporate  Governance  Guidelines,  Code  of  Conduct,  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  “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  cover  of  this  Annual  Report  or  may  be  requested  through  our  website, 
www.universalcorp.com. 

4

B.      Description of Business  

General  

Our business involves 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.  Buying leaf tobacco involves contracting with 
and financing farmers in many origins. 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 sell
flue-cured  and  burley  tobaccos,  as well  as dark  air-cured and  oriental  tobaccos.   We also provide value-added  services  to our 
customers,  including  blending,  chemical  and  physical  testing  of  tobacco,  managing  just-in-time  inventory,  and  manufacturing 
reconstituted sheet tobacco. 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.  Over 75% of our volume is derived from
sales to customers with major market positions and with whom we have long-standing relationships.  Our sales consist primarily 
of flue-cured and burley tobaccos.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, our flue-cured and burley operations accounted for
89% of our revenues and 89% of our segment operating income.     

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 from 
the  stems,  drying,  and  packing  to  precise  moisture  targets  for  proper  aging.    Accomplishing  these  tasks  generally  requires 
investments in plants and machinery in areas where the tobacco is grown. Processed tobacco that has been properly packed 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 throughout the 
world.  We estimate  that we have historically purchased between 20% 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, and recent customer vertical integration moves could also affect them. In the United States, we sell processed U.S. 
tobacco  to  cigarette  manufacturers,  and  we  process  U.S.  flue-cured  and  burley  tobacco  on  a  fee  basis.    We  have  a  major 
processing facility in the United States, which handled about 45% of U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco production in fiscal year
2011.  We expect our relative volumes handled in the United States to be lower in the coming fiscal year.  These changes are 
described  elsewhere  in  Item  7  under  “Other  Information  Regarding  Trends  and  Management  Actions.”    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 operating presence in all of the major sourcing areas, our ability to meet customer style,
volume, and quality requirements, our expertise in dealing with large numbers of farmers, our long-standing relationships with 
customers, our development of processing equipment and technologies, and our financial position.  

We also have a leading position in worldwide dark tobacco markets.  Our dark tobacco operations are located in most of 
the major producing countries and in other smaller markets. We operate in major dark tobacco producing countries, including the
United States, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Paraguay, the Philippines, Nicaragua, and Brazil.  Dark tobaccos are typically
used in the manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products, and as components of certain “roll-your-own” 
cigarette products. 

Sales  are  made  by  our  sales  force  and,  to  a  much  smaller  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,  Brazil, 
Canada,  the  Dominican  Republic,  Ecuador,  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, Macedonia, and Turkey. 

In the majority of the countries where we operate, including Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, 
Mexico, Mozambique, the 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.    In  many  countries  outside  the  United  States,  we  also  provide  agronomy 
services and crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies.  In Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, we also purchase
tobacco under auction systems.  

5

 
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,  guarantee  local  loans,  or  do  both,  each  in  substantial  amounts,  for  the  eventual  purchase  of 
tobacco. The majority of these seasonal advances and loan guarantees mature in one year or less upon the farmers’ delivery of 
contracted  tobaccos.    Most  advances  to  farmers  are  denominated  in  local  currency,  which  is  a  source  of  foreign  currency 
exchange rate risk.  Most tobacco sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, which reduces our foreign currency exchange risk after
the tobacco has been purchased.  See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for further information about our foreign currency exchange risk. 

For  a  discussion  of  recent  developments  and  trends  in,  and  factors  that  may  affect,  our  business,  see  Item  7, 

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 

Seasonality  

Our operations are seasonal in nature. Tobacco in Brazil is usually purchased from January through July, while buying 
in  Malawi,  Mozambique,  and  other  African  countries  typically  begins  around  April  and  continues  through  late  fall.    Farmers 
begin  to  sell  U.S.  flue-cured  tobacco  in  late  July,  and  the  marketing  season  lasts  for  approximately  four  months.  These 
overlapping  marketing  periods  tend  to  mitigate  the  overall  effects  of  seasonality  on  our  financial  performance  in  most  fiscal 
years.

We normally operate each of our processing plants for seven to nine months of the year. During this period for each 
region, inventories of green tobacco, inventories of processed tobacco, and trade accounts receivable normally reach peak levels
in succession. We normally finance this expansion of current assets with cash, short-term notes payable to banks, and customer 
advances,  and  these  funding  sources  normally  reach  their  peak  usage  in  each  region  during  its  respective  purchasing  or 
processing period.  Our balance  sheet  at  our  fiscal  year  end  reflects  seasonal  expansions  in  working  capital  in  South  America, 
Central America, and Western Europe.    

Customers

A material part of our business is dependent upon a few customers. For the year ended March 31, 2011, each of Philip 
Morris International, Inc., Japan Tobacco Inc., and Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, including its respective affiliates, accounted
for 10% or more of our revenues. The loss of, or substantial reduction in business from, any of these customers could have a 
material adverse effect on our results. We have long-standing relationships with these customers.  For additional information, see 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  –  Overview”  and  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  –  Other  Information  Regarding  Management’s 
Actions and Trends.” 

We had commitments from customers for approximately $571 million of the tobacco in our inventories at March 31, 
2011.  Based upon historical  experience, we expect  that  at  least 90% of such  orders  will  be  delivered  during fiscal year  2012. 
Most of our product requires shipment via oceangoing vessels to reach customer destinations. Delays in the delivery of orders 
can  result  from  such  factors  as  container  availability,  port  access  and  capacity,  and  changing  customer  requirements  for 
shipment.  

As more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, we recognize 
sales 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. In some markets, principally the United States, we process tobacco that is owned by our customers, and we 
recognize the revenue for that service when the processing is completed. 

Competition  

The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive. Competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based on the ability to 
meet  customer  specifications  in  the  buying,  processing,  and  financing  of  tobacco,  and  on  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 and sell the available tobacco. Our principal competitor is Alliance One
International, Inc. (“Alliance One”).  Alliance One operates in many of the countries where we operate.  Based on our estimates,
we do not believe that worldwide market shares differ substantially between the two companies.  Most of our major customers 
are partially vertically integrated, and thus, also compete with us for the purchase of leaf tobacco in many of the major markets.    

6

In  most  major  markets,  smaller  competitors  are  very  active.    These  competitors  typically  have  lower  overhead 
requirements and provide less support to customers and 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 add value for our customers
in an increasingly regulated world 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,  Oriental,  and  Special  Services.  
North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia are primarily involved in flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations 
for  supply  to  cigarette  manufacturers.   Dark  Air-Cured  supplies dark  air-cured  tobacco  principally  to  manufacturers  of  cigars, 
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 and laboratory services including physical and chemical 
product testing for customers.    

The five regional operating segments serving our cigarette manufacturer customers 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  differ  from  the  other  regions, 
generally  because  its  operations  do  not  require  significant  working  capital  investments  for  crop  financing  and  inventory  and 
because  toll  processing  is  an  important  source  of  its  operating  income.    The  Dark  Air-Cured,  Oriental,  and  Special  Services 
segments,  which  have  differing  characteristics  in  some  of  the  categories  mentioned  above,  are  reported  together  as  Other 
Tobacco Operations, because each is below the measurement threshold for separate reporting.  

Financial Information about Segments 

Our  North  America  and  Other  Regions  reportable  segments,  which  represent  our  flue-cured  and  burley  tobacco 
operations, accounted for 13% and 76% of our revenues and 23% and 66% of our segment operating income, respectively, in 
fiscal year 2011.  Our Other Tobacco Operations reportable segment accounted for 11% of our revenues and 11% of our segment 
operating income in fiscal year 2011.   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, 2011, 2010,
and 2009, are set forth in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Information with respect to the geographic distribution of our revenues and long-lived assets is also set forth in Note 15 to the
consolidated financial statements.  

C.     

Employees  

We employed over 26,000 employees throughout the world during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.  We estimated 

this figure because the majority of our personnel are seasonal employees.  

D.      Research and Development  

We did not expend material amounts for research and development during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, 

or 2009.  

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  Item  1A,  “Risk  Factors”  for  a  discussion  of  government  regulations  and 
other factors that may affect our business.  

7

   
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 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,  and  on  the  price  charged  for  products  and  services.  We  believe  that  we 
consistently  meet  our  customers’  specifications  and  charge  competitive  prices.    Because  we  rely  upon  a  few  significant 
customers,  the  consolidation,  significant  vertical  integration,  or  failure  of  any  of  these  large  or  significant  customers  could
contribute to a significant decrease in our sales of products and services. 

We have seen an increase in competition for both the purchase and sale of leaf from small leaf tobacco merchants in 
some of the markets where we conduct business.  Some of these small leaf tobacco merchants have expanded to operate in more 
than one country.  Since they typically provide little or no support to farmers, these small leaf tobacco merchants typically have
lower overhead requirements than we do. Due to their lower cost structures, they often can offer a price on products that is lower 
than our price.  We have also seen an increase in our customers directly sourcing leaf tobacco from farmers to meet some of their
raw material needs. Direct sourcing is likely to provide our customers with some quantities of tobacco which they prefer not to
use in their existing blends and that may be offered for sale.  These increases in competition for both the sale and purchase of
leaf could reduce the volume of the leaf we handle and could negatively impact our financial results. 

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  their  demand  for  leaf  tobacco  are  influenced  by  a  number  of 
factors, including:  

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

trends in the global consumption of cigarettes, 
trends in sales of cigars and other tobacco products, and 
levels of competition among our customers. 

The  world  supply  of  leaf  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 held by leaf tobacco merchants from prior years’ 
production. Production of tobacco in a given year may be significantly affected by such factors as: 

(cid:120) weather and natural disasters, including any adverse weather conditions that may result from climate change, 
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

crop infestation and disease, 
availability of crop inputs,  
volume of annual tobacco plantings and yields realized by farmers, 
farmer elections to grow crops other than tobacco, 
elimination of government subsidies to farmers, and 
demographic shifts that change the number of farmers or the amount of land available to grow tobacco. 

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

which would affect our results of operations.   

8

Our financial results will vary according to growing conditions, customer requirements, and other factors.  These factors also 
limit the ability to accurately forecast our future performance and increase the risk of an investment in our common stock or 
other securities. 

Our financial results, particularly our year-over-year quarterly comparisons, may be significantly affected by variations 
in  tobacco growing  seasons and fluctuations  in  crop  sizes.  The  timing  of  the  cultivation  and delivery  of  tobacco  is dependent 
upon a number of factors, including weather and other natural events, and our processing schedules and results of operations can
be  significantly  altered  by  these  factors.  In  addition,  the  potential  impact  of  climate  change  is  uncertain  and  may  vary  by 
geographic region. The possible effects, as described in various public accounts, could include changes in rainfall patterns, water
shortages,  changing  storm  patterns  and  intensities,  and  changing temperature  levels  that  could  adversely  impact  our  costs  and 
business  operations  and  the  supply  and  demand  for  leaf  tobacco.  Our  operations  also  rely  on  dependable  and  efficient 
transportation services. A disruption in transportation services, as a result of climate change or otherwise, may also significantly 
impact our results of operations. 

Further, the timing and unpredictability of customer orders and shipments may require us to keep tobacco in inventory 
or  otherwise  increase  our  risk  and  may  also  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 and the availability of transportation services.  These fluctuations result in varying volumes and
sales in given periods, which also reduce the comparability of financial results. 

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. 

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, 
and such failure 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, we also have a risk that not all of that production will be readily 
marketable.    In  addition,  in  many  foreign  countries  where  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.   

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

Tobacco crops are subject to vagaries of 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 factors can affect the marketability of tobacco, including, among other things, the presence of: 

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

excess residues of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides,  
foreign matter, and 
genetically modified organisms. 

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. 

9

Regulatory and Governmental Factors 

Government  efforts  to  regulate  the  production  and  consumption  of  tobacco  products  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: 

(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)
(cid:120)

restrictions on the use of tobacco products in public places and places of employment, 
legislation  authorizing  the  U.S.  Food  and  Drug  Administration  (the  “FDA”)  to  regulate  the  manufacturing  and 
marketing of tobacco products, 
increases in the federal, state, and local excise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, 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. 

Numerous  other  legislative  and  regulatory  anti-smoking  measures  have  been  proposed  at  the  federal,  state,  and  local 

levels. The United States only produces about 8% of the cigarettes manufactured outside of the People’s Republic of China.  

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, to indirectly limit the use of 
certain  types  of  tobacco,  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 tobacco 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 meet our customers’ requirements, which could have an adverse effect on 
our performance and results of operations. 

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 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. 

 Certain recommendations by the WHO, through FCTC, may cause shifts in customer usage of certain styles of tobacco.  

As seen in countries like Canada and Brazil, efforts have been taken to eliminate ingredients from the manufacturing process for
tobacco  products.    Such  decisions  could  cause  a  change  in  requirements  for  certain  styles  of  tobacco  in  particular  countries.  
Shifts in customer demand from one type of tobacco to another could create sourcing difficulties as requirements move from one 
origin to another.   

In  addition,  continued  government  and  public  emphasis  on  environmental  issues,  including  climate  change, 
conservation, and natural resource management, could result in new or more stringent forms of regulatory oversight of industry 
activities, which may lead to increased levels of expenditures for environmental controls, land use restrictions affecting us or our 
suppliers,  and  other  conditions  that  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  financial  condition,  and  results  of 
operations. For example, certain aspects of our business generate carbon emissions. Regulatory restrictions on greenhouse gas 
emissions  have  been  proposed.    These  may  include  limitations  on  such  emissions,  taxes  or  emission  allowance  fees  on  such 
emissions,  various  restrictions  on  industrial  operations,  and  other  measures  that  could  affect  land-use  decisions,  the  cost  of 
agricultural  production,  and  the  cost  and  means  of  processing  and  transporting  our  products.    These  actions  could  adversely 
affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

10 

Because  we  conduct  a  significant  portion  of  our  operations  internationally,  political  and  economic  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 also to the effects of changes in the trade policies
and  economic  regulations  of  foreign  governments.  These  uncertainties  and  risks,  which  include  undeveloped  or  antiquated 
commercial law, the expropriation or nationalization of assets, and the authority to revoke or refuse to renew business licenses
and work permits, 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 reduced the tobacco crop there, causing us to shift sourcing of tobacco 
to other countries. We have substantial capital investments in South America and Africa, and the performance of our operations 
in those regions can materially affect our earnings.  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 financial condition, results of operations, or both 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. In most jurisdictions, we 
regularly  have  audits  and  examinations  by  the  designated  tax  authorities,  and  additional  tax  assessments  are  common.  We 
believe that we routinely comply with applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions where we operate, and we vigorously contest all 
significant tax assessments where we believe we are in compliance with the tax laws.   

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  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,  delivery  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.    See  Notes  1  and  14  to  the 
consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information on these extensions of credit.  

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, and we finance most of our tobacco operations in U.S. dollars.  Although 
this generally limits foreign exchange risk to the economic risk that is related to leaf purchase and production costs, overhead, 
and  income  taxes  in  the  source  country,  significant  currency  movements  could  materially  impact  our  results  of  operations.  
Changes in exchange rates can 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 
that  crop  and  our  results  of  operations.    In  certain  tobacco  markets  that  are  primarily  domestic,  the  local  currency  is  the 
functional currency.  Examples of these markets are Hungary and Poland.  Similarly the local currency is the functional currency
in  other  markets,  such  as  Western  Europe,  where  export  sales  have  been  denominated  primarily  in  local  currencies.  In  these 
markets, reported earnings are affected by the translation of the local currency into the U.S. dollar. See Item 7A, “Qualitative and 
Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk” for additional discussion related to foreign currency exchange risk. 

Our  purchases  of  tobacco  are  generally  made  in  local  currency,  and  we  also  provide  farmer  advances  that  are 
denominated in the local currency.  We account for currency remeasurement gains or losses on those advances as period costs, 
and  they  are  usually  accompanied  by  offsetting  increases  or  decreases  in  the  purchase  cost  of  tobacco,  which  is  priced  in  the 
local currency.  The effect of differences in the cost of tobacco is generally not realized in our earnings until the tobacco is sold, 
which often occurs in a quarter or fiscal year subsequent to the recognition of the related remeasurement gains or losses.  The
difference in timing could affect our profitability in a given quarter or fiscal year.   For example, during fiscal year 2009, we 
recorded remeasurement losses of more than $40 million related to a significant devaluation of the Brazilian currency.   

11 

We  have  used  currency  hedging  strategies  to  reduce  our  foreign  currency  exchange  rate  risks  in  some  markets.    In 
addition, where we source tobacco in countries with illiquid or nonexistent forward foreign exchange markets, 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 either pre-finance purchases or pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased 
on order.  From time to time, we borrow long-term debt at fixed rates. Through hedging agreements, we may 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.  In addition, at times we may have significant amounts of cash invested.  Decreases in short-term interest rates
reduce the income we derive from those investments. Changes in interest rates also affect expense related to our defined benefit
pension plan, as described elsewhere in these “Risk Factors.” 

Low investment performance by our defined benefit pension plan assets may increase our pension expense and may require us to 
fund a larger portion of our pension obligations, thus, diverting funds from other potential uses.  

We sponsor a domestic defined benefit pension plan that covers certain eligible employees. Our results of operations 
may be positively or negatively affected by the amount of income or expense we record for this plan. U.S. generally accepted 
accounting  principles  (GAAP)  require  that  we  calculate  income  or  expense  for  the  plans  using  actuarial  valuations.  These 
valuations reflect  assumptions  about  financial  market  and other economic  conditions, which  may  change based on  changes  in 
key economic indicators. The most significant year-end assumptions we used to estimate pension income or expense for fiscal 
year 2011 are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. In addition, we are required to make an 
annual  measurement  of  plan  assets  and  liabilities,  which  may  result  in  a  significant  change  to  shareholders’  equity  through  a 
reduction  or  increase  to  “Funded  status  of  pension  and  other  postretirement  benefits.”    At  the  end  of  fiscal  year  2011,  the 
projected benefit obligation of our U.S. pension plans was $211 million and assets were $178 million. For a discussion regarding
how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan accounting policies, see “Critical Accounting Estimates – Pension 
and  Other  Postretirement  Benefit  Plans”  in  “Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of 
Operations” in Item 7 and in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.  Although GAAP expense and pension 
funding  contributions  are  not  directly  related,  key  economic  factors  that  affect  GAAP  expense  would  also  likely  affect  the 
amount  of  cash  we  would  contribute  to  pension  plans  under  requirements  of  the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act 
(ERISA). Failure to achieve expected returns on plan assets could also result in an increase to the amount of cash we would be 
required to contribute to pension plans.

Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments 

None  

12 

Item 2.    Properties 

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

Location 

Principal Use

Area
(Square Feet)

Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations:
North America:
United S tates

Nash County, North Carolina............................................................................   Factory and storages

1,304,000

Canada

Simcoe, Ontario (1)..............................................................................................   Factory and storages

569,000

Other Regions:

Brazil

  Factory and storages
Santa Cruz............................................................................................................
Joinville (2) ..........................................................................................................   Factory and storages
Venancio Aires....................................................................................................   Storages

2,670,000
1,450,000
860,000

Malawi

Lilongwe...............................................................................................................   Factory and storages

942,000

Mozambique

Tete.......................................................................................................................

  Factory and storages

748,000

Philippines

Pasig City.............................................................................................................

  Factory and storages

672,000

Tanzania

Morogoro.............................................................................................................   Factory and storages

803,000

Zimbabwe

Harare (3)..............................................................................................................   Factory and storages

1,445,000

Other Tobacco Operations:

United S tates

Lancaster, Pennsylvania....................................................................................   Factory and storages

735,000

(1) Held for sale at March 31, 2011. Sale of the factory was completed in May 2011.
(2) Leased from a third party.
(3) Owned by an unconsolidated subsidiary.

We  lease  headquarters  office  space  of  about  45,000  square  feet  at  9201  Forest  Hill  Avenue  in  Richmond,  Virginia, 

which we believe is adequate for our current 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 needs arise, 
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.   

13 

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, South Africa, and Zambia.  Socotab L.L.C., an oriental tobacco joint venture in which we
own a noncontrolling interest, owns tobacco processing plants in Turkey, Macedonia, and Bulgaria.   

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,  as  well  as  facilities  in  Brazil,  the 
Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Paraguay, 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 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 about €12 million (approximately $14.9 million at the September 2004 exchange 
rate) 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 General Court of the European Union (“General Court”).  A hearing 
was held in June 2009, and on September 8, 2010, the General Court issued its decision, in which it reduced the amount of the 
Deltafina fine to €6.12 million. The General Court held in part that the Commission erred in finding Deltafina acted as the leader 
of  the  Spanish  cartel,  and  that  the  Commission’s  corresponding  increase  of  the  underlying  fine  by  50%  was  not  justified.  
Deltafina filed an appeal to the General Court decision with the European Court of Justice on November 18, 2010.  Although 
Deltafina agreed with the General Court that there was no basis for finding that Deltafina had acted as the leader of the Spanish
cartel,  Deltafina  believed  the  General  Court  erred  in  not  reducing  the  remaining  fine  further  based  on  numerous  grounds.  A 
hearing has not been set to date and an ultimate resolution to the matter could take several years.   We had deposited funds in an 
escrow account with the Commission in February 2005 in an amount equal to the original fine.  We received funds from escrow 
in  an  amount  equal  to  the  reduction  by  the  General  Court  plus  interest  that  had  accrued  thereon.    As  a  result  of  the  General 
Court’s decision  in September  2010, during  the  second quarter  of fiscal  year  2011, we  reversed €5.76  million  (approximately 
$7.4 million) of the charge previously recorded to accrue the fine and recognized approximately $1.2 million of interest income
returned  on  the  escrow  funds.    The  reversal  of  the  fine  is  included  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  in  the 
consolidated statement of income. 

14 

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 conditional 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 $42 million at the March 31, 2011 exchange rate) 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 or the facts.  In 
January  2006,  Deltafina  and  Universal  Corporation  each  filed  appeals  in  the  General  Court.    Deltafina’s  appeal  was  held  on 
September 28, 2010.  For strategic reasons related to the defense of the Deltafina appeal, we withdrew our appeal.  Based on 
consultation with outside legal counsel, we believe it is probable that Deltafina will prevail in the appeals process and we have 
not accrued a charge for the fine.  If both Deltafina and Universal Corporation are ultimately found liable for the full amount of 
the fine, then accumulated interest on the fine would also be due and payable. Accumulated interest totaled approximately €5 
million (about $8 million) at March 31, 2011.  Deltafina has provided a bank guarantee to the Commission in the amount of the 
fine plus accumulated interest in order to stay execution during the appeals process. 

Other Legal Matters 

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned  matters,  some  of  our  subsidiaries  are  involved  in  other  litigation  or  legal  matters 
incidental to their business activities.  While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we are vigorously
defending  the  matters  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
our results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.  

Item 4.   (Removed and Reserved)  

15 

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

PART II 

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.  

First   
Q uarte r

Se cond 
Q uarte r

Third 
Q uarte r

Fourth 
Q uarte r

2011
Cash dividends declared.............................................................
Market price range....................................................................   High  
Low  

$            

0.47
55.92
38.38

$            

0.47
44.82
35.44

$            

0.48
43.34
37.05

$            

0.48
43.72
37.74

2010

Cash dividends declared.............................................................
Market price range....................................................................   High   
Low   

$            

0.46

$            

0.46

$            

0.47

$            

0.47

38.29

29.27

44.02

33.46

49.48

41.27

55.19

45.36

2009

Cash dividends declared.............................................................
Market price range....................................................................   High   
Low   

$            

0.45

$            

0.45

$            

0.46

$            

0.46

64.96

45.00

55.63

44.24

52.03

29.83

35.17

25.82

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  our  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
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, 2011.  At May 23, 2011, there were 1,448 holders of record of our common 
stock.  See Notes 6 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information on debt covenants and equity
securities.   

16 

  
  
 
 
  
 
 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
  
  
  
  
 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
  
  
  
  
 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
Purchases of Equity Securities 

The  following  table  summarizes  our  repurchases  of  our  common  stock  for  the  three-month  period  ended  March  31, 

2011: 
(cid:3)

Pe riod (1)

Total Numbe r of 
Share s 
Re purchase d

Ave rage  Price  
Paid Pe r 
Share  (2)

Total Numbe r of 
Share s 
Re purchase d as 
Part of Publicly 
Announce d Plans or 
Programs (3)

Dollar Value  of 
Share s that May 
Ye t Be  Purchase d 
Unde r the  Plans or 
Programs (3)

January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2011.......................

February 1, 2011 to February 28, 2011....................

March 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011..........................

113,790

105,650

109,500

$               

39.15

40.17

42.23

113,790

105,650

109,500

$             

92,378,796

88,135,005

83,510,350

T otal.......................................................................

328,940

$               

40.51

328,940

$             

83,510,350

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3) A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 5, 2009.
It authorizes the purchase of up to $150 million in common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market
conditions and other factors. T he stock repurchase program will expire on the earlier of November 15, 2011, or when we have exhausted the
funds authorized for the program.

17 

             
                    
             
                 
                    
               
             
                 
                    
               
             
                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data 

Fiscal Ye ars Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

(in thousands, e xce pt pe r share  data, ratios and numbe r of share holde rs)

Summary of O pe rations

Sales and other operating revenues......................................

$

2,571,527

$

2,491,738

$

2,554,659

$

2,145,822

$

2,007,272

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

$     
$        

164,550
    —   

$     
$        

170,345
    —   

$     
$        

132,561
    —   

$     
$           

116,484
(145)

$       
$      

73,751
(36,059)

Net income.........................................................................

$     

164,550

$     

170,345

$     

132,561

$     

116,339

$       

37,692

Net income attributable to Universal Corporation (1).........
Earnings available to Universal Corporation

$     

156,565

$     

168,397

$     

131,739

$     

119,156

$       

44,352

common shareholders......................................................

$    

141,715

$    

153,547

$    

116,889

$     

104,306

$      

29,667

Return on beginning common shareholders’ equity..............   
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal

Corporation common shareholders:

Basic:

15.6%

18.8%

13.0%

12.8%

3.8%

   From continuing operations..........................................

$           

5.94

$           

6.21

$           

4.57

$           

3.83

$           

2.53

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

$        

    —   

$        

    —   

$        

    —   

$          

(0.01)

$          

(1.39)

   Net income...................................................................

$           

5.94

$           

6.21

$           

4.57

$           

3.82

$           

1.14

Diluted:

   From continuing operations..........................................

$           

5.42

$           

5.68

$           

4.32

$           

3.71

$           

2.52

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

$        

    —   

$        

    —   

$        

    —   

$          

(0.01)

$          

(1.39)

   Net income...................................................................

$           

5.42

$           

5.68

$           

4.32

$           

3.70

$           

1.13

Financial Position at Ye ar End

Current ratio.......................................................................
T otal assets.........................................................................  

3.08
2,227,867

$  

Long-term obligations.........................................................   
Working capital..................................................................

$     
$  

320,193
1,065,883

2.75
2,371,040

$  

$     
$  

414,764
1,078,077

2.74
2,138,176

$

$     
$     

331,808
954,044

3.33
2,186,761

$  

$     
$  

402,942
1,028,732

2.23
2,328,822

$

$     
$     

398,952
852,391

T otal Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity...............

$

1,185,606

$

1,122,570

$

1,029,473

$

1,115,631

$

1,030,733

Ge ne ral

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................................

9.41

9.43

5.54

4.66

3.16

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)....................................  

5.17

1,447

23,859

28,888

5.29

1,518

24,732

29,662

3.55

1,597

25,570

30,466

3.16

1,708

27,263

32,186

2.29

1,807

25,935

26,051

$         

67.50

$         

67.50

$         

67.50

$         

67.50

$         

67.50

Dividends per share of common stock (annual)...................

$           

1.90

$           

1.86

$           

1.82

$           

1.78

$           

1.74

Book value per common share............................................

$         

41.85

$         

37.39

$         

32.66

$         

33.23

$         

30.34

(1)   We hold less than a 100% financial interest in certain consolidated subsidiaries, and a portion of net income is attributable to the noncontrolling interests in 

those subsidiaries.

Since the early part of fiscal year 2008, our operations have consisted solely of our worldwide tobacco business.  Prior 
to  that  time,  we  also  owned  lumber  and  building  products  and  agri-products  operations.  The  assets,  liabilities,  revenues,  and 
expenses  of  the  lumber  and  building  products  and  agri-products  businesses  are  reflected  as  discontinued  operations  for  all 
applicable periods in the above table.     

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.   

18 

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

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Fiscal  Year  2011  –  $7.4  million  reversal  of  a  portion  of  a  charge  recorded  in  fiscal  year  2005  to  accrue  a  fine 
imposed  by  the  European  Commission  on  Deltafina,  S.p.A.,  our  subsidiary  in  Italy,  related  to  tobacco  buying 
practices  in  Spain.    The  reversal  reflected  a  favorable  European  Union’s  General  Court  decision  in  Deltafina’s 
appeal of the fine. We also recorded a $19.4 million gain on the assignment of farmer contracts and sale of related 
assets in Brazil to an operating subsidiary of a major customer. In addition to those items, which benefited fiscal 
year 2011 earnings, we recorded $21.5 million in restructuring and impairment costs during the year. A significant 
portion of those costs related to our decision to close our leaf tobacco processing operations in Canada and sell the 
assets of those operations. Restructuring charges were also recorded to recognize costs associated with voluntary 
early retirement offers in our U.S. operations and additional voluntary and involuntary separations in various other 
locations. On a combined basis, the net effect of these items increased income before income taxes by $5.3 million, 
and increased net income by $3.3 million, or about $0.12 per diluted share.   

Fiscal  Year 2009  – $50.6  million  in  losses from  currency remeasurement  and  exchange,  primarily  caused by  the 
effect  of  the  rapid  devaluation  of  the  Brazilian  currency between  June  and  December  2008.    The  effect  of  these 
losses was a reduction in net income of $32.9 million, or $1.08 per diluted share. 

Fiscal  Year  2008  –  $29.3  million  in  gains  from  currency  remeasurement  and  exchange,  reflecting  the  general 
strengthening of world currencies against the U.S. dollar and mark-to-market gains realized on forward contracts to 
hedge tobacco purchases in Brazil.  We also recorded $12.9 million in restructuring costs, consisting partly of $7.9 
million  in  severance  and  voluntary  termination  benefits  associated  with  the  downsizing  of  our  operations  in 
Canada, the release of farm managers and workers employed in flue-cured tobacco growing projects that we exited 
in Zambia and Malawi, a workforce reduction in our operations in Malawi, a decision to close and consolidate a 
sales and logistics office in Europe, and other cost reduction initiatives at several smaller locations.  In addition, 
restructuring  costs  included  $5  million  of  curtailment  losses  associated  with  actions  taken  to  terminate  a  small 
defined benefit pension plan and freeze another small plan.  We also recorded a separate charge of $7.8 million to 
accrue an obligation established by Malawi court rulings that require employers there to provide severance benefits 
in addition to company-sponsored pension benefits in employee retirement or termination situations.  Those rulings 
also expanded the qualified compensation on which the severance benefit is based.  In addition to these costs, our 
results for the fiscal year included a gain of $6.5 million on the sale of surplus timberland in Brazil.  On a combined 
basis,  the  net  effect  of  these  items  increased  income  before  noncontrolling  interest  and  income  taxes  by  $15.1 
million,  and  increased  income  from  continuing  operations  and net  income  by $10.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted 
share. 

Fiscal  Year  2007  –  $30.9  million  in  impairment  charges,  primarily  related  to  our  exit  from  flue-cured  growing 
projects  in  Africa  at  the  end of  the 2006-07  crop  year.   After  noncontrolling  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 exited.  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  noncontrolling  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.    We  completed  the  sale  of  those  operations  in  fiscal  year  2008.    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. 

19 

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 Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary 
Data.”    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 the leading global leaf tobacco merchant and processor. 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  years,  we  have  seen  a  rapidly  developing  supply  cycle  that  began  with  shortages  following  the 
short African burley crops in 2008.  Those shortages prompted customers to build inventories from the ensuing crops, and the 
intensity of that demand for all types of cigarette leaf, coupled with competition with commodity crops, increased the price of
leaf  at  the  farm  level,  which  is  a normal  way  of  increasing  supply.   As leaf  has become  more  available  and  prices  have been 
influenced  by  a  weakening  U.S.  dollar,  customers  have  begun  to  reduce  inventories.  Lower  cigarette  demand  in  developed 
markets may have also have contributed to those reductions. The industry has now reached oversupply conditions, primarily in 
cigarette tobaccos.  We are beginning to see the traditional effects of oversupply: margin pressures, falling leaf prices at the farm 
level,  and  increasing  uncommitted  dealer  inventories.    Each  of  the  fiscal  years  in  the  period  is  described  in  the  following 
information: 

In  fiscal  year  2009,  green  tobacco  costs  were  very  high  during  most  of  the  purchasing  season,  and  farmers’ 
costs for fertilizer and other input materials to produce crops for the following year were high as well. Green 
tobacco prices increased in U.S. dollar terms as the dollar weakened against most currencies early in the year.  
Those  prices  also  increased  in  local  currency  terms  to  protect  supply  against  competition  from  commodity 
crops, which were in great demand. By the end of the year, economic conditions had changed the environment 
and reduced the pressure on costs heading into fiscal year 2010. The U.S. dollar had strengthened as well, also 
reducing costs; however, because of the long product cycle, a significant portion of our cost in some areas had 
been incurred before the dollar strengthened.  

In fiscal year 2010, the market was in balance with no significant amounts of uncommitted inventory in the 
hands of the dealer group. Large African burley crops that had threatened to create some excess were absorbed 
by the market. Although we began to see increased customer concern about costs, the higher cost of leaf was 
passed  through  in  selling  prices.  One  of  our  customers,  Japan  Tobacco, Inc.,  responded  to  higher  crop  costs 
and leaf supply concerns by announcing that they were preparing to source some of their leaf directly in the 
United States, Brazil, and Malawi.  

In fiscal year 2011, we continued to see large burley crops while flue-cured production was reduced somewhat 
by a weather issue in Brazil. During the year, we began to see the signs of oversupply in lower margins and 
elevated dealer inventories. In addition, we assigned farmer contracts in Brazil to a subsidiary of Philip Morris 
International  as  part  of  their  efforts  to  increase  their  direct  sourcing  capability  there.  In  response  to  the 
customer efforts in direct sourcing and our need to reduce costs in an oversupplied market, we began a process 
of reviewing each of our operations with the purpose of rationalizing global operations to fit the new market 
conditions.  That process has given rise to numerous cost-saving initiatives, and it is continuing. 

We achieved strong results for fiscal year 2011, particularly in light of the challenging market conditions that we faced.   

Recent customer efforts to obtain leaf directly from farmers have changed parts of our business. In the last two years, both Japan
Tobacco and Philip Morris International have taken steps to purchase more of their leaf needs directly from farmers.  As we have
said, we believe we have already experienced the effects of Japan Tobacco’s increase in direct leaf procurement on our volumes 
in fiscal year 2011 in the United States, Malawi, and Brazil.  Philip Morris International’s assumption of farmer contracts will
reduce  our  purchases  of  Brazilian  leaf  in  fiscal  year  2012.  We  continue  to  expect  that,  after  contracts  expire  this  month,  our 
processing volumes in the United States will decline significantly.  As we noted last year, we estimate that reduction will cause a 
decrease of about $30 million in operating income. We have had some success in broadening our customer base and expanding 
the services we offer our customers.  However, in the near term, we will not be able to replace all the processing volumes lost in 
the United States.  

20 

At the same time, we are experiencing the effects of leaf oversupply that we have been predicting, and we expect to see 
the financial impact of lower leaf prices and tighter margins that typify such cycles in fiscal year 2012.   We believe that during 
the  two  prior  fiscal  years  of  higher  than  normal  demand,  a  number  of  customers  increased  their  leaf  inventory  levels.    Those 
higher  inventories,  combined  with  softer  cigarette  sales  in  some  markets,  have  led  to  reduced  leaf  demand  for  current  crops, 
evidenced by slower than normal purchasing in major markets.      

Periodic cycles of under- and oversupply of leaf are not unusual in our business, and we have successfully navigated 
oversupplied markets throughout the history of the company.  Although dealer unsold inventories are currently not excessive, we
expect them to grow significantly during this season.  Our uncommitted inventories are still at a manageable level, and we are 
working aggressively to avoid accumulating excess inventories during the oversupply period.  However, we will not be able to 
avoid some accumulation of unsold inventory or the inevitable pressure on margins that comes with an oversupply.   

We  believe  that  our  discipline  and  conservative  capital  structure  will  stand  us  in  good  stead  during  this  period.  In 
addition, our cost-saving restructuring initiatives are well underway, and we will continue to review our operations to control or 
reduce  costs. We have continued  to  assert  the  value  that the dealer  industry  adds  to  the  system,  both  to  the  manufacturer  and 
farmer, and that is especially important in today’s markets. 

21 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, diluted earnings per share were $5.42, down about 5% from last year’s record 
earnings of $5.68 per diluted share. Net income attributable to Universal Corporation for fiscal year 2011 was $156.6 million, a
decrease  of  7%  compared  to  $168.4  million  last  year,  primarily  due  to  lower  results  in  our  South  American  operations  and 
Oriental tobacco joint venture.   Revenues for fiscal year 2011 were $2.6 billion, a 3% increase compared to last year, reflecting
higher selling prices on lower volumes shipped during the period.  The price increases were generally related to higher green leaf 
costs  and the effects of a weak U.S. dollar.   

Results for fiscal year 2011 also include the effects of several non-recurring items, which provided a net pretax benefit 
of $5.3 million, or about $0.12 per diluted share.  During the third fiscal quarter, we recorded a net gain of $19.4 million before 
taxes, or $0.44 per diluted share, to recognize the assignment of tobacco production contracts with approximately 8,100 farmers 
in Brazil, along with the sale of related assets, to a subsidiary of Philip Morris International (“PMI”).  In addition, the second
fiscal  quarter  included  a  benefit  of  $7.4  million  before  taxes,  or  $0.17  per  diluted  share,  for  the  reversal  of  a  portion  of  a 
previously recorded European Commission fine after a favorable court ruling. These gains were largely offset by the effects of 
combined  restructuring  and  impairment  charges  associated  with  our  initiatives  to  adjust  various  operations  and  reduce  costs, 
including  a  significant  portion  related  to  the  closure  of  our  Simcoe  operations  in  Canada.    Most  of  the  restructuring  costs 
represent  accruals  for  employee  termination  benefits  at  operating  locations  in  North  America,  South  America,  Africa,  and 
Europe and at corporate headquarters.  Total restructuring and impairment costs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, were 
$21.5 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, of which about $5.6 million are noncash charges.  

Cost of goods sold increased by nearly 6% due to the influence on leaf prices of a weaker U.S. dollar and higher farm 
input costs, as well as a lower proportion of stem in the sales mix.  Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by
more than $33 million, or 12%, compared to last year.  Predominant factors in the reduced expense for the year included the $7.4
million  reversal  of  the  European  Commission  fine,  an  $11  million  comparative  benefit  from  net  currency  remeasurement  and 
exchange gains in the current year compared with net losses in the prior year, last year’s accruals for costs associated with the 
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) matter, and lower compensation expense.  

Interest expense for the year decreased by $1.2 million as the impact of higher average debt balances was outweighed 
by lower average effective interest rates.  Interest income increased by $1.5 million compared to last year primarily due to the
recognition of interest income on the return of funds escrowed to bond the appeal of the European Commission fine. 

The consolidated effective income tax rate for the twelve months ended March 31, 2011, was approximately 32% versus 
nearly 34% for fiscal year 2010.  In both cases, the full year rate was lower than the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate due to the
recognition  of  foreign  tax  credits  and  to  the  reversal  of  previously  recorded  liabilities  for  uncertain  tax  positions  based  on 
favorable resolution or expiration of statutes of limitations for the related tax years.  

Flue-cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, operating income for the flue-cured and burley tobacco operations was about 
$229 million, a 4% decrease compared to the prior year’s record $240 million results.  The decrease was caused primarily by 
reduced volumes and margins in some operations within the Other Regions segment.   Revenues for the group were relatively 
flat as reduced volumes for the year in South America, Europe, and North America, were balanced by higher volumes in Africa 
and Asia. 

Operating  income  of  $170  million  for  the  Other  Regions  segment  was  down  about  7%  compared  to  the  prior  year.  
Earnings  in  Africa  increased over  the previous  year  on  higher sales  volumes  as  well  as  additional  third-party  processing.  The 
region also benefited from net gains on foreign currency remeasurement and exchange compared to net losses in the prior year.  
Asia results were improved for the year as well, primarily due to higher volumes from larger crops in the Philippines and better
margins related to lower unit costs on those volumes.  South America results were down significantly, affected by lower volumes
sold from both Brazil and Argentina. A smaller Brazilian crop due to weather conditions, significantly lower customer demand 
for Argentine leaf, and the effects of customer inventory corrections all reduced volumes.  Margins also declined on higher unit
production  costs  and  higher  green  leaf  prices.    Earnings  in  Europe  were  also  down  for  the  fiscal  year  on  lower  volumes  and 
margins,  lower  exchange  gains  this  year,  and  the  translation  effects  of  a  stronger  dollar  against  the  Euro  and  other  European 
currencies.    Overall  results  for  this  segment  benefited  from  lower  selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  caused  by  the 
previously mentioned currency gains as well as lower overhead expenses, in part related to FCPA and employment costs in the 
prior year.  Although overall volumes for the Other Regions segment were down, cost of sales increased on higher leaf costs, in
part due to the weaker dollar. Overall segment revenues were up as those higher costs of leaf were reflected in selling prices.

22 

   
The  North America segment reported improved operating income of $59 million as lower U.S. volumes from the fiscal 
year 2011 crop were offset by sales of carryover crops, additional third-party processing business in the United States, and lower
overhead charges.  Revenues for the segment were down by about 5% on reduced sales volumes despite improved product mix. 
Cost of sales for this segment was lower on overall lower volumes sold, while selling, general and administrative costs benefited
from overhead reductions. 

Other Tobacco Operations 

In the Other Tobacco Operations segment, operating income for fiscal year 2011 declined by 28% to about $29 million, 
due  primarily  to  significantly  lower  results  from  the  oriental  tobacco  joint  venture  on  reduced  sales  volumes  on  customer 
inventory  adjustments  as  well  as  lower  margins  and  smaller  currency  remeasurement  gains.  Dark  tobacco  results  were  flat 
compared with the prior fiscal year as the effects of increased volumes and reductions in domestic overhead costs were reduced 
by  lower  earnings  resulting  from  the  weather-damaged  Indonesian  crop,  which  is  also  expected  to  affect  next  fiscal  year’s 
results.  Revenues for this segment increased by 20% to $287 million, primarily related to higher sales in the just-in-time services
group, increased dark tobacco shipments after a soft beginning to the prior year, and higher imports of oriental tobacco into the
United States.  Those higher volumes also caused an increase in cost of sales while selling general and administrative costs were 
flat.

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009 

Diluted  earnings  per  share  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2010,  were  $5.68,  up  31%  from  last  year’s  results  of 
$4.32 per diluted share in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Net income improved by 28% to a record $168 million. Results 
for fiscal year 2009 had been overshadowed by large currency losses in South America.  Those losses were not repeated in fiscal
year 2010, accounting for a large portion of the change. Revenues were down by about 2%, reflecting lower volumes in several 
areas, offset by improved sales mix as lower priced by-products constituted a smaller proportion of total sales. Lower volumes 
were primarily attributable to shipment delays during fiscal year 2010 in some regions, lower trading volumes in North America,
and last year’s accelerated shipments of dark tobacco during fiscal year 2009.  

Cost  of  sales  was  4%  lower  primarily  because  of  lower  volumes  in  some  segments,  and  lower  costs  in  areas  where 
currency changes lowered inventory costs.   Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by about $24 million, or 8%,
compared to last year. The primary factor in the reduced expense for fiscal year 2010 was lower currency remeasurement and 
exchange  losses,  which  were  down  $45  million.  That  change  more  than  offset  the  effect  of  other  items,  including  higher 
incentive compensation expense, higher legal and professional costs, and lower gains on the sale of property and equipment.    

Compared to fiscal year 2009, interest expense was about $11 million lower, largely due to the reduction in short-term 
borrowing rates  during  the  year. About 70%  of our  debt was based on variable  interest  rates.  The  rate  reduction  also  reduced 
interest income during fiscal year 2010. 

Income tax expense increased by $22 million as a slightly higher effective tax rate was applied to higher income before 
taxes. Although the rate was higher than the rate in fiscal year 2009, it remained below the U.S. statutory rate in fiscal year 2010, 
primarily because of the reversal of liabilities previously recorded for uncertain tax positions based on the expiration of statutes 
of limitations for the related tax years and other factors. Those adjustments more than offset an accrual to record U.S. income
taxes on earnings that were previously considered to be permanently reinvested offshore, as well as other smaller adjustments. 

Flue-cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations 

Fiscal year 2010 operating income for our flue-cured and burley operations was up 27%, to $240 million, which was a 
record for the group. The $51 million increase was primarily related to lower currency costs, but fiscal year 2010 also saw much
higher Asian trading volumes and the benefits of management’s focus on improving the profitability of smaller operations that 
had  been  marginal  performers  in  past  years.  Revenue  for  this  group  was  off  slightly  as  lower  volumes  in  most  regions  were 
largely offset by the Asian increases. 

In the North America segment, the effects of lower U.S. trading volumes, lower sales of carryover crops, and a smaller 
Canadian  crop  were  more  than  offset  by  improvements  in  smaller  operations,  which  included  better  experience  with  farmer 
receivables and improved pricing. The segment’s operating income increased 19%, to $57 million. The volume reductions were 
primarily in sales of lamina rather than by-products, and the combination of lower volumes and sales mix caused revenues to 
decline by 14%, and caused a decrease in cost of sales as well. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were also down in
this segment, mainly reflecting lower provisions against farmer receivables. 

23 

Results  for  the  Other  Regions  segment  improved  by 30%,  to  $183  million,  largely  on the  strength  of  lower  currency 
costs  in  fiscal  year  2010.  The  reduction  in  currency  costs  primarily  benefited  South  American  operations  where  the  rapid 
strengthening of the U.S. dollar in fiscal year 2009 caused a loss in value of local currency balances, primarily related to farmer 
receivables.  The  U.S.  dollar  remained  relatively  strong  through  the  following  spring  and  reduced  the  cost  of  the  crop  sold  in 
fiscal year 2010. Asian trading volumes increased for the second consecutive year. African results were down slightly as delayed
shipments related to logistical issues hampered performance, despite significant catch-up shipments late in the year. In Europe,
higher  green  leaf  costs  proved  difficult  to  recover  in  sales  prices,  although  improvement  in  smaller  operations  benefited  the 
region. Revenues for the Other Regions segment increased based primarily on the higher Asian trading volumes. Cost of sales 
declined  as  the  stronger U.S.  dollar  near  the  beginning of  fiscal year  2010  reduced  costs  despite higher  local pricing  in  many 
areas. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were down substantially for the group on lower currency related costs for 
fiscal year 2010. 

Other Tobacco Operations 

Results for the Other Tobacco Operations segment were down by 5%, or about $1.9 million, compared to the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2009, mainly due to lower earnings from the dark tobacco group. Near the end of fiscal year 2009, the dark 
tobacco  operations  experienced  a  surge  in  sales  as  customers  accelerated  purchases  in  anticipation  of  the  enactment  of  U.S. 
excise  tax  increases.  The  dark  tobacco  group  also  incurred  costs  to  consolidate  their  U.S.  processing  operations  in  fiscal  year
2010.  Results for the oriental tobacco joint venture benefited from a decrease in interest expense. 

Segment  revenues  were  lower  in  fiscal year  2010  compared  to  fiscal  year  2009.    Dark  tobacco  revenues  declined on 
reduced  volumes  compared  to  fiscal  year  2009’s  accelerated  shipments.  Although  the  oriental  tobacco  joint  venture  is  not  a 
consolidated operation, it sells some leaf to a consolidated Universal subsidiary for import to customers in the United States. The 
revenue from those sales is included in revenues for Other Tobacco Operations. Some of those sales have been carried over into 
fiscal  year  2011  and  reduced  revenues  for  fiscal  year  2010.    Segment  volume  reductions  also  reduced  cost  of  sales.    Selling, 
general, and administrative expenses for the segment decreased, primarily reflecting currency benefits in fiscal year 2010. 

Accounting Pronouncements 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued the following Accounting Standard Updates that are 

relevant to our accounting and financial reporting and will become effective in future periods:   

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

FASB  Accounting  Standards  Update  2009-13,  “Multiple-Deliverable  Revenue  Arrangements”  (“ASU  2009-13”), 
which  was  issued  by  the  FASB  in  October  2009.    ASU  2009-13  establishes  a  selling  price  hierarchy  for 
determining  the  selling  price  of  a  deliverable  in  a  multiple-deliverable  arrangement.  It  also  requires  additional 
disclosures about the methods and assumptions used to evaluate multiple-deliverable arrangements and to identify 
the  significant  deliverables  within  those  arrangements.  ASU  2009-13  is  effective  prospectively  for  revenue 
arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which means 
that we will be required to adopt the guidance effective April 1, 2011, the beginning of our fiscal year 2012.  The 
adoption of ASU 2009-13 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. 

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2011-04”), which was issued in 
May  2011.    The  primary  focus  of  ASU  2011-04  is  the  convergence  of  accounting  requirements  for  fair  value 
measurements and related financial statement disclosures under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”).  While ASU 2011-04 does not significantly change existing guidance for measuring fair value, 
it  does  require  additional  disclosures  about  fair  value  measurements  and  changes  the  wording  of  certain 
requirements in the guidance to achieve consistency with IFRS.  ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual 
periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2011,  and  is  required  to  be  applied  prospectively.    We  are  currently 
evaluating the revised guidance to determine the effect it will have on our financial statements. 

24 

Overview  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, our operations generated positive operating cash flows.  Seasonal working 
capital requirements were higher during the year as the weaker dollar and higher crop input prices increased the cost of green 
tobacco.    Despite  these  requirements,  we  had  more  than  sufficient  liquidity  to  meet  our  needs.    We  also  continued  our 
conservative  financial  policies,  maintained  our  discipline  on  using  our  free  cash  flow,  and  reduced  our  leverage  ratios  while 
returning funds to shareholders. 

Our liquidity and capital resource requirements are predominantly short-term in nature and primarily relate to working 
capital required for seasonal tobacco crop purchases.  Working capital needs are seasonal within each geographic region. The 
geographic  dispersion  and  the  timing  of  working  capital  needs  permit  us  to  predict  our  general  level  of  cash  requirements, 
although crop size, prices paid to farmers, and currency fluctuations affect requirements during each year. 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 avoid liquidity risk.  

We believe that our financial resources are adequate to support our capital needs for at least the next twelve months. 
Our  seasonal  working  capital  requirements  typically  increase  from  March  to  September  by  as  much  as  $300  million.    That 
funding  requirement  is  primarily  related  to  our  Other  Regions  segment  and  includes  purchasing  crops  in  South  America  and 
Africa. The amount can vary significantly depending upon such factors as crop sizes, the price of leaf, the relative strength of the 
U.S.  dollar,  and  shipment  and  customer  payment  timing  differences. We  deal  with  this  uncertainty  by  maintaining  substantial 
credit lines and cash balances.  In addition to our operating requirements for working capital, we have $95 million in medium-
term notes maturing in September 2011, and we expect to provide around $10 million in funding to our pension plans. Available 
capital  resources  from  our  cash  balances,  a  committed  credit  facility,  and  uncommitted  credit  lines  exceed  those  anticipated 
needs. After balancing our capital structure, any excess cash flow from operations after dividends and capital expenditures will
be available to fund expansion, purchase our stock, or otherwise enhance shareholder value.  

Cash Flow 

Our  operations  provided  about  $54  million  in  operating  cash  flows  in  fiscal  year  2011,  and  we  received  $40  million 
from the assignment of farmer assets and the sale of related assets to an affiliate of Philip Morris International in Brazil and from 
other  asset  sales.    Using  those  funds  and  some  of  our  cash  balances,  we  spent  $39  million  on  capital  projects,  returned  $60 
million to shareholders in the form of dividends, reduced our total debt by $42 million, and spent $47 million on repurchases of
our common stock.  Cash flow from customer advances and deposits was $194 million lower in fiscal year 2011.  These funds 
vary from year to year based on customer needs and buying patterns.  At March 31, 2011, cash balances totaled $141 million.  

25 

Working Capital 

Working  capital  at  March  31,  2011,  was  nearly  $1.1  billion,  flat  with  last  year’s  level.    However,  many  of  the 
components of working capital changed significantly.  Cash and cash equivalents decreased by almost $105 million.  Most of 
that decline reflected lower customer deposits and advances which were $99 million below March 31, 2010 levels.  Accounts 
receivable balances were $69 million higher, primarily due to African shipments that were delayed into the quarter ended March 
31, 2011.  Accounts payable decreased by $47 million in large part due to decreased tobacco purchases in South America.  We 
are growing less tobacco in Brazil this year, and farmer crop deliveries are slower than normal.    

Tobacco inventories at March 31, 2011, were down almost $70 million.  Lower inventories in North America due to 
sales of carryover crops there and lower current crop purchases in Brazil were partially offset by higher inventories in Africa on 
larger  crops  and  in  Europe  on  higher  tobacco  cost.    We  usually  finance  inventory  with  a  mix  of  cash,  notes  payable,  and 
customer deposits, depending on our borrowing capabilities, interest rates, and exchange rates, as well as those of our customers.
We generally do not purchase  material quantities of tobacco on a speculative basis. However, when we contract directly with 
farmers, we are obligated to buy their entire crop. Our uncommitted tobacco inventories increased by approximately $10 million 
to  $171  million, or  about 23%  of  tobacco  inventory.   Uncommitted  inventories  at  March 31, 2010, were $161  million, which 
represented 20% of tobacco inventory.   

Share Repurchase Activity 

We  continued  to  repurchase  shares  of  our  common  stock  during  fiscal  year  2011.  In  November  2009,  the  Board  of 
Directors approved a new share repurchase program, which superseded an expiring program.  The program expires on November 
15, 2011 and authorizes purchases of up to $150 million of our common stock. Under the authorization, we will purchase shares 
from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. In
determining  our  level  of  common  share  repurchase  activity,  our  intent  is  to  use  only  cash  available  after  meeting  our  capital 
investment, dividend, and working capital requirements. As a result, our execution of the repurchase program may vary as we 
realize  changes  in  cash  flow  generation  and  availability.    In  fiscal  year  2011,  we  purchased  1,113,125  shares  of  our  common 
stock  at  a  total  cost of  about $46.7  million, based on  trading  dates. At March 31, 2011, our  available  authorization  under our 
current share repurchase program was $83.5 million, and approximately 23.2 million common shares were outstanding.  

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  were  approximately  $39  million  in  fiscal  year 
2011, $58 million in fiscal year 2010, and $36 million in fiscal year 2009. Depreciation expense was approximately $44 million 
in fiscal year 2011 and $41 million in each of fiscal years 2010 and 2009. Our intent is to limit routine capital spending to a level 
below depreciation expense in order to maintain strong cash flow. We currently have no major capital expenditures planned in 
fiscal year 2012. However, from time to time we may undertake additional projects pursuant to customer requirements.  

Outstanding Debt and Other Financing Arrangements 

We  consider  the  sum  of  notes  payable  and  overdrafts,  long-term  debt  (including  current  portion),  and  customer 
advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also
consider our net debt plus shareholders’ equity to be our total capitalization. Net debt decreased by $37 million to $432 million
during the twelve months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease primarily reflects lower customer deposits and notes payable and 
overdrafts offsetting lower cash balances.  Net debt as a percentage of capitalization was approximately 27% at March 31, 2011,
down from 29% at March 31, 2010, and it was lower than our target range of 35% to 45% of total capitalization. We repaid $15 
million in maturing long-term debt during fiscal year 2011, and we have $95 million maturing during fiscal year 2012.  We also 
have  an  active,  undenominated  shelf  registration  filed  with  the SEC,  which  provides  for  future  issuance  of  additional  debt  or 
equity securities.  

As of March 31, 2011, we, together with our consolidated affiliates, had approximately $549 million in uncommitted 
lines of credit, of which approximately $399 million were unused and available to support seasonal working capital needs. We 
also had approximately $141 million in cash and cash equivalents, and we have a five-year committed revolving credit facility 
totaling $400 million. We entered into the facility in August 2007, and it will mature on August 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2011,
we had no borrowings under the facility. Under the terms of our bank agreement, 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, 2011.  

26 

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, 2011, the fair value of our outstanding interest rate swap agreements was $10.2 million,
and the notional amount swapped was $245 million. In fiscal year 2011, active swaps reduced interest expense by $8 million.  

We  also  enter  forward  contracts  from  time  to  time  to  hedge  certain  foreign  currency  exposures,  primarily  related  to 
forecast  purchases  of  tobacco  and  related  processing  costs  in  Brazil  as  well  as  our  net  monetary  asset  exposure  in  the  local 
currency there. We generally account for our hedges of forecast tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2011, the 
fair  value  of  our  open  contracts  designated  as  hedges  was  approximately  $2.4  million.  We  also  had  other  forward  contracts 
outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was not material at March 31, 2011.  For 
additional information, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.  

Pension Funding

Funds  supporting  our  ERISA-regulated  U.S.  defined  benefit  pension  plans  increased  by  $14  million  to  $178  million 
because of gains in the investment portfolio during the fiscal year. By April 30, 2011, the market value of the fund was about 
$182  million.  The  accumulated  benefit  obligation  (“ABO”)  and  the  projected  benefit  obligation  (“PBO”)  were  approximately 
$190  million  and  $211  million, respectively,  as of  March 31,  2011.  The ABO  and  PBO  are  calculated on  the basis  of  certain 
assumptions that are outlined in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. We expect to make contributions of
about $5 million to our ERISA-regulated plans during the next year. It is our policy to monitor the performance of the funds and
to review the adequacy of our funding and plan contributions.   

Contractual Obligations 

Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2011, were as follows: 

(in thousands of dollars)

Total

2012

2013-2014

2015-2016

Afte r 2016

Notes payable and long-term debt (1)..........................

Operating lease obligations..........................................

$      

610,362
50,153

$      

266,923
19,176

$      

239,272
15,196

$      

104,167
8,467

$         

    —   
7,314

Inventory purchase obligations:

   T obacco...................................................................

   Agricultural materials...............................................

Other purchase obligations..........................................

648,787

46,025

9,110

555,980

46,025

8,930

92,807

    —   

180

    —   

    —   

    —   

    —   

    —   

    —   

    T otal.......................................................................  

$   

1,364,437

$      

897,034

$      

347,455

$      

112,634

$          

7,314

(1)   Includes interest payments.  Interest payments on $149 million of variable rate debt were estimated on the basis of March 31, 2011 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. About half of our crop year contracts to purchase tobacco are with farmers in Brazil. We 
have partially funded our tobacco purchases in Brazil and in other regions with advances to farmers and other suppliers, which 
totaled  approximately  $161  million  at  March  31,  2011.    In  addition,  we  have  guaranteed  bank  loans  to  farmers  in  Brazil  that 
relate  to  a  portion  of  our  tobacco  purchase  obligations  there.  At  March  31,  2011,  we  were  contingently  liable  under  those 
guarantees for outstanding balances of approximately $73 million (including accrued interest), and we had recorded a liability of
approximately $21 million for the fair value of those guarantees. As tobacco is purchased and the related bank loans are repaid,
our contingent liability is reduced.   

27 

 
          
          
          
            
            
 
 
        
        
          
           
           
 
          
          
           
           
           
 
            
            
               
           
           
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS 

In preparing the financial statements in accordance with 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 2011, 2010, and 
2009 were $8.5 million, $1.3 million, and $3.5 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, 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. 

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits

In many foreign countries, we pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and 
processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services.  In some countries, VAT is a national 
tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level.  Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the 
rates at which the tax is assessed.  When we sell tobacco to customers in the country of origin, we generally collect VAT on 
those sales.  We are normally permitted to offset our VAT payments  against those collections and remit only the incremental 
VAT collections to the tax authorities.  When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed.  In countries where our
tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, we often do not generate enough VAT collections on downstream sales to 
fully offset our VAT payments.  In those situations, we can accumulate unused VAT credits.  Some jurisdictions have procedures 
that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an
extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds.
Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although 
approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred
are  usually  imposed,  and  the  proceeds  realized  may  be  heavily  discounted  from  the  face  value  of  the  credits.    Due  to  these 
factors,  in  some  countries  we  can  accumulate  significant  balances  of  VAT  credits  over  time.    We  review  these  balances  on a 
regular basis, and we record valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that we do not expect to recover, as well as
discounts anticipated on credits we expect to sell or transfer.  In determining the appropriate valuation allowance to record in a 
given jurisdiction, we must make various estimates and assumptions about factors affecting the ultimate recovery of the VAT 
credits.  At March 31, 2011, the gross balance of recoverable tax credits (primarily VAT) totaled approximately $75 million, and
the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $22 million. 

28 

   
Goodwill 

We review the carrying value of goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis and at any time that events or 
business conditions indicate that it may be impaired. We follow applicable accounting guidance in determining the fair value of
goodwill, which normally involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP). 
The  calculations  in  these  models  are  normally  not  based  on  observable  market  data  from  independent  sources  and  therefore 
require  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.  The 
majority of our goodwill relates to our reporting unit in Brazil.  

Fair Value Measurements 

We hold various financial assets and financial liabilities that are required to be measured and reported at fair value in 
our financial statements, including money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest
rate swaps, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil.  We follow 
the  relevant  accounting  guidance  in determining  the  fair  values  of  these financial  assets  and  liabilities.    Quoted  market  prices
(Level  1  of  the  fair  value  hierarchy)  are  used  in  most  cases  to  determine  the  fair  values  of  money  market  funds  and  trading 
securities.    Interest  rate  swaps  and  forward  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts  are  valued  based  on  dealer  quotes  using 
discounted cash flow models matched to the contractual terms of each instrument (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).  The fair
value of the guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers, which was approximately $21 million at March 31, 2011, is derived 
using  an  internally-developed  discounted  cash  flow  model.    The  model  requires  various  inputs,  including  historical  loss 
percentages  for  comparable  loans  and  a  risk-adjusted  interest  rate.    Because  significant  management  judgment  is  required  in 
determining and applying these inputs to the valuation model, our process for determining the fair value of these guarantees is
classified  as  Level  3  of  the  fair  value  hierarchy.    At  March  31,  2011,  a  1%  increase  in  the  expected  loss  percentage  for  all 
guaranteed farmer loans would have increased the fair value of the guarantee obligation by approximately $0.8 million.  A 1% 
change in the risk-adjusted interest rate would not have had a material effect on the fair value of the guarantee obligation.  We 
incorporate  credit  risk  in  determining  the  fair  values  of  our  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities,  but  that  risk  did  not
materially affect the fair values of any of those assets or liabilities at March 31, 2011. 

Income Taxes  

Our consolidated effective income tax rate is based on our expected taxable income, tax laws and 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 discrete item would be recorded at the same time as the item.   

Our accounting for uncertain tax positions requires that we review all significant tax positions taken, or expected to be 
taken, in income tax returns for all jurisdictions in which we operate.  In this review, we must assume that all tax positions will 
ultimately  be  audited,  and  either  accepted  or  rejected  based  on  the  applicable  tax  regulations  by  the  tax  authorities  for  those
jurisdictions.  We must recognize in our financial statements only the tax benefits associated with tax positions that are “more
likely than not” to be accepted upon audit, at the greatest amount that is considered “more likely than not” to be accepted.  These 
determinations require significant management judgment, and changes in any given quarterly or annual reporting period could 
affect our consolidated income tax rate.   

29 

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  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.  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.  Determining the
amount of such valuation allowances requires significant management judgment, including estimates of future taxable income in 
multiple tax jurisdictions where we operate.  Based on our periodic earnings forecasts, we project the upcoming year’s taxable 
income to help us evaluate our ability to realize deferred tax assets.  We had small net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards in
several  foreign  jurisdictions  at  March  31,  2011.    Based  on  future  estimates  of  taxable  income  and/or  available  tax  planning 
strategies in those jurisdictions, we expect to fully realize those NOL carryforwards.   

At the beginning of fiscal year 2010, we had approximately $52 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries 
on  which  no  provision  for  U.S.  income  taxes  had  been  recorded  because  those  earnings  were  designated  as  permanently 
reinvested.  Effective  March  31,  2010,  we  changed  the  classification  of  those  earnings  to  reflect  a  change  in  our  intent  to 
repatriate the earnings consistent with appropriate tax planning and good business practice in the respective foreign countries.
As a result of this change, approximately $3.5 million of additional income tax expense was recognized in fiscal year 2010 to 
record the applicable U.S. tax liability. We currently have no undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are classified as 
permanently reinvested. 

The  functional  currency  in  most  of  our  significant  foreign  operations  is  the  U.S.  dollar,  as  export  tobacco  sales  are 
generally  made  in  dollars.    Purchasing  and  processing  costs  are  usually  incurred  in  local  currency.    When  the  U.S.  dollar  is 
weakening  relative  to  the  local  currency,  purchasing  and  processing  costs  increase  in  dollar  terms,  resulting  in  higher  cost 
inventory.  The sale of that inventory in dollars generates less taxable income in local currency, which results in lower income
taxes owed when translated into U.S. dollars.  This causes the effective income tax rate on dollar income to be lower than the 
statutory  rate  in  the  local  country.    The  reverse  can  occur  when  the  local  currency  is  weakening  relative  to  the  U.S.  dollar, 
thereby  causing  the  effective  income  tax  rate  on  dollar  earnings  to  be  above  the  statutory  rate.    This  impact  on  our  effective 
income tax rate in a country can be significant during a normal crop cycle.  A prolonged period of strengthening or weakening 
over  more  than  one  crop  may  increase  the  impact  if  we  sell  material  quantities  of  old  crop  inventories.    Lower-taxed  foreign 
source income increases our ability to use foreign tax credits.  Higher-taxed foreign source income has the reverse effect.  When
these changes occur in our larger operations, such as our operations in Brazil, they can have a material impact on our overall tax 
position.   

For additional disclosures on income taxes, see Notes 1 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. 

30 

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:  

(cid:120) Discount rate – The discount rate is based on investment yields on a hypothetical portfolio of long-term corporate 

bonds rated AA that align with the cash flows for our benefit obligations.  

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Salary scale – The salary scale assumption is based on our long-term actual experience for salary increases, the near-
term outlook, and expected inflation.  

Expected long-term return on plan assets – The expected long-term return on plan assets reflects asset allocations 
and investment strategy adopted by the Pension Investment Committee of the Board of Directors.  

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  which  have  been  updated  to  reflect  improvements  in  projected  life 
expectancy.  

(cid:120) Healthcare cost trend rates – For postretirement medical plan obligations and costs, we make assumptions on future 
inflationary increases in medical costs. These assumptions are based on our actual experience, along with third-party 
forecasts of long-term medical cost trends.  

The  effects  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.  

31 

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)

Change s in Assumptions for Pe nsion Be ne fits

Discount Rate:

Effe ct on
2011 Proje cted
Be ne fit 
O bligation
Incre ase
(De cre ase ) 

Effe ct on
2012 Annual 
Expe nse
Incre ase
(De cre ase ) 

1% increase.......................................................................................................................................

$              

(27,535)

$                

(2,624)

1% decrease.......................................................................................................................................

33,438

3,084

Salary Scale:

1% increase.......................................................................................................................................

1% decrease.......................................................................................................................................

Long-T erm Rate of Return on Assets:

1% increase.......................................................................................................................................

1% decrease.......................................................................................................................................

Change s in Assumptions for O the r Postretire me nt Be ne fits

Discount Rate:

1% increase.......................................................................................................................................

1% decrease.......................................................................................................................................

Healthcare Cost T rend Rate:

1% increase.......................................................................................................................................

1% decrease.......................................................................................................................................

6,824

(6,465)

N/A

N/A

(3,784)

4,491

1,386

(1,210)

1,523

(1,433)

(1,990)

1,991

(349)

150

75

(66)

See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 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, advances to suppliers, and certain value-added tax credits, as well
as the determination of the fair value of long-lived assets.  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. 

32 

                 
                   
                   
                   
                  
                  
                  
                   
                  
                     
                   
                      
                   
                        
                  
                       
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING TRENDS 
AND MANAGEMENT’S ACTIONS 

Our financial performance depends on our ability to obtain an appropriate price for our products and services, to secure 
the tobacco volumes and quality desired by our customers, and to maintain efficient operations. We continually monitor issues 
that may impact supply of and demand for leaf tobacco, and the volumes of leaf tobacco that we handle. 

Supply 

As we begin fiscal year 2012, we are experiencing the effects of oversupply evidenced by slow market activity in major 
markets that will affect our results this year.  Successive large crops in several flue-cured sourcing areas have stimulated margin
pressures from customers that are typical of an oversupplied market.  Following two fiscal years of higher than normal customer
demand, we believe that a number of customers have built leaf inventory levels.  That factor, combined with softer cigarette sales
in some markets, has led to reduced leaf demand.  

Periodic cycles of under- and oversupply of leaf are not unusual in our business, and we have successfully navigated 
oversupplied markets throughout the history of the company.  Although each one has unique features, the process is generally the
same.  Crop sizes are lowered to permit supply to match demand.  Although current dealer unsold inventories are not excessive, 
we expect them to grow significantly during this season.  In addition, there are new participants in several markets with some 
customers sourcing additional portions of their tobacco needs.  These factors may prolong the effect of the oversupply on the 
dealer industry.  We plan to work aggressively to avoid accumulating excess inventories during this period, but even if we are 
successful, these market conditions will cause margin reductions.  

Production 

Worldwide flue-cured tobacco production in fiscal year 2011 increased by 5.2% to 4.5 billion kilos. The total includes 
China, an extremely large market that is primarily domestic. Because very little of that tobacco is available to trade, we generally
exclude Chinese crops when we consider worldwide production. On that basis, worldwide flue-cured tobacco production in fiscal 
year 2011 increased by about 5.8%, to 2.09 billion kilos. Burley crops declined by about 9.8% in fiscal year 2011 following two
years  of  production  increases.  We  estimate  that  at  March  31,  2011,  industry  uncommitted  flue-cured  and  burley  inventories 
totaled  about  115  million  kilos,  more  than  double  the  amount  at  March  31,  2010.  Uncommitted  inventories  in  the  hands  of 
dealers remain reasonable, but they have increased, signaling the start of an oversupply cycle. 

We believe flue-cured production (excluding China) will increase by about 5%, to about 2.2 billion kilos in fiscal year 
2012.  Most of the increase will occur in Brazil where unfavorable weather conditions reduced the crop sold in fiscal year 2011,
and this year weather caused higher than normal yields. Production of flue-cured tobacco, which will be sold in our fiscal year
2012, is greater than demand in almost every major market.  Burley production is also forecast to increase by about 5%, with 
most of this increase coming from Brazil, although many areas continue to overproduce. Supplies of oriental tobacco available 
for trading have continued to decline as the former monopoly inventories have been reduced.   

Pricing 

Factors that affect green tobacco prices include competition from other crops, production costs, market conditions, and 
global supply and demand. We work with farmers to maintain tobacco production and to secure product at price levels that are 
attractive  to  our  customers.  Tobacco  competes  with  agricultural  commodity  products  for  farmer  production.  As  prices  for 
soybeans, wheat, rice, and seed oils rise, green tobacco prices may have to rise to maintain tobacco production levels. This factor
could provide momentum to efforts of the WHO to shift farmer production from leaf tobacco to other crops. After reductions 
through early 2009, commodity prices and crop production costs have risen dramatically. Any current growth in farm input costs 
would affect crops sold in fiscal year 2013. In the recent past, market shortages have also led to green tobacco price increases. 
Recent  customer  steps  to  procure  leaf  directly  would  increase  competition  for  available  leaf  and  could  disrupt  markets  and 
further increase green tobacco prices.  The market oversupply is currently mitigating these underlying trends.   

We believe that recent excise tax increases and related reductions in consumption of tobacco products, particularly in 
the United States and Western Europe, have increased cost sensitivity of customers. We have seen an increasing customer focus 
on  costs  during  this  fiscal  year,  and  we  have  seen  the  addition  of  excess  capacity.    These  changes  will  reduce  margins  and 
volumes handled in the United States in fiscal year 2012, which could represent a reduction of about $30 million in operating 
income  for  our  North  America  segment.    We  have  taken  steps  to  rationalize  and  reduce  our  processing  capacity.    The  North 
Carolina factory is modern and efficient, and we will continue to work to expand our business with existing and new customers 
there.  In addition, U.S. flue-cured leaf is becoming more attractive in the world market as the competitive position of Brazilian 
flue-cured leaf is being eroded by currency appreciation and increased labor costs.  

33 

Evolving European Market   

We  have  seen  some  decrease  in  production  of  tobacco  in  the  European  Union  (E.U.)  as  the  staged  reduction  in  the 
subsidy system there has taken effect.  Although various countries have offered replacement schemes, those programs cover less 
of the high farm production cost, mostly connected with labor costs. So farm prices have risen to compensate for those costs, 
making  it  more  difficult  for  E.U.  tobacco  to  compete  in  the  world  market.    In  the  intermediate  term,  we  believe  that  the 
possibility for sustainable tobacco production in the E.U. exists due to the current efforts to streamline the cost structure at all 
levels  (from  farms  to  factories  to  services)  and  the  importance  of  European  leaf  to  some  manufacturers.  Within  the  general 
discussion on the future of the E.U. Common Agricultural Policy, it looks probable that a major driving factor will be the support 
of employment in the rural areas, in which framework tobacco production could reasonably be considered eligible for adequate 
support. We believe that if farmer commercial income does not increase, as the level of support available to farmers decreases,
the volume of tobacco produced in Europe will decline over time.  

Demand 

After the current inventory duration correction and recovery, we expect that near-term demand for leaf tobacco will be 
flat,  primarily  due  to  the  flattening  trend  in  world  cigarette  consumption.    However,  demand  is  affected  by  many  factors 
including regulation and product taxation. 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 cigarette markets.  

Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured and burley tobaccos. Those types of tobacco, along with oriental tobaccos, are 
the  major  ingredients  in  American-blend  cigarettes.  Industry  data  shows  that  consumption  of  American-blend  cigarettes  has 
declined  at  a  compound  annual  rate  of  1.5%  for  the  ten  years  that  ended  in  2010.  Over  the  past  ten  years,  industry  data  also 
shows that total world consumption of cigarettes grew at the compound annual rate of 0.7%, including annual growth of about 
3.4%  in  China,  which  experienced  higher  increases  during  the  second  half  of  the  period.  Outside  China,  consumption  fell  by 
0.8% during the ten years.  These patterns indicate a shift in demand, reducing the need for burley and oriental tobaccos that are
used in addition to flue-cured tobacco in American-blend cigarettes and increasing the need for flue-cured tobacco that is used in 
English-blend cigarettes, which are predominant in China.  

In 2010, total cigar consumption in the United States increased by almost 9% to approximately 13.2 billion units. Less 
unfavorable  U.S.  federal  excise  tax  treatment  of  large  cigars  caused  a  migration  to  that  category  from  small  cigars.  Premium 
cigar consumption in the United States declined by 10%, to approximately 258 million units.  Cigar consumption within the main 
E.U. markets declined by 2% - 3%, to about 6 billion units.  Within the smokeless segment of the dark tobacco business, 2010 
U.S. consumption of loose-leaf chewing tobacco declined by 8%, while the consumption of moist snuff products grew by about 
7%.  We believe that supplies of dark air-cured filler tobacco worldwide are generally in line with demand; however, volumes of
dark  tobacco  from  Europe  will  be  negatively  affected  by  changes  in  the  E.U.  tobacco  subsidy  program.   Wrapper  tobacco, 
particularly bright wrapper tobacco, is in very tight supply due to a 2010 weather-related crop disaster in Indonesia, the largest 
producer of that type of leaf.  

Competition 

In  recent  years,  we  have  experienced  an  increase  in  competition  from  small  tobacco  dealers  in  some  of  the  markets 
where we conduct business. These small competitors typically have lower overhead requirements and provide little or no support 
to farmers.  Due to their lower cost structures, they often can offer a price for products that is lower than our price. We believe 
that  the  quality  controls  and  farm  programs  we  provide  are  necessary  for  our  customers  and  make  our  products  highly 
competitive. For example, we have established worldwide farm programs designed to prevent non-tobacco related materials from 
being  introduced  into  the  green  tobacco  delivered  to  our  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.  We believe that our major customers value these services and that our programs increase the quality of the products 
and  services  we  offer.    We  also  believe  that  our  customers  value  the  steady  supply  that  we  are  able  to  provide  due  to  our 
relationship with our farmer base.   

In  addition,  we  have  more  competitors  for  available  leaf  in  the  United  States,  Brazil,  and  Africa  because  of  recent 
customer steps to procure tobacco directly in order to meet more of their own needs.  Direct sourcing is also likely to provide our 
customers with some quantities of tobacco that, because they may prefer not to use it in their existing blends, may reenter the
market.  

34 

Regulation 

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  and  Western  Europe.    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 (“FCTC”), which was negotiated under the auspices of the WHO. 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. Given 
recent growth in Asia, it seems unlikely that world consumption of tobacco products will decrease sharply in the next few years.

 In addition, certain recommendations by the WHO, through the FCTC, may cause shifts in customer usage of certain 
styles  of  tobacco.    As  seen  in  countries  like  Canada  and  Brazil,  efforts  have  been  taken  to  eliminate  ingredients  from  the 
manufacturing process for tobacco products.  Such decisions could cause a change in requirements for certain styles of tobacco 
in  particular  countries.  Shifts  in  customer  demand  from  one  type  of  tobacco  to  another  could  create  sourcing  issues  as 
requirements move from one origin to another.   

In  2009,  the  U.S.  Congress  passed  the  Family  Smoking  Prevention  and  Tobacco  Control  Act  (“FSPTCA”).  This 
legislation authorizes the FDA to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products.  At this time it is not possible to 
assess the impact FDA regulation will have on our operations or the tobacco industry.  

Product Taxation

A number of governments, particularly federal and local governments in the United States and the E.U., impose excise 
or similar taxes on tobacco products. There has been, and will likely continue to be, new legislation proposing new or increased
taxes on tobacco products. In some cases, proposed legislation seeks to significantly increase existing taxes on tobacco products,
or impose new taxes on products that to date have not been subject to tax.  

Industry Consolidation 

An  important  trend  in  the  tobacco  industry  in  the  last  several  years  has  been  consolidation  among  manufacturers  of 
tobacco  products.  For  example,  last  year  a  Philip  Morris  International  affiliate  acquired  Fortune  Tobacco  Corporation.    This 
activity  is  expected  to  continue,  particularly  as  further  privatization  of  state  monopolies  occurs,  providing  opportunities  for
acquisitions  by  international  manufacturers,  and  as  multinational  manufacturers  expand  their  product  and  brand  offerings  by 
acquisition.  Consolidation has increased the size of many of these multinational manufacturers and has increased the quantities
of leaf tobacco that each one requires.  This concentration trend could provide additional opportunities for us and also increase 
the  importance  of  each  individual  customer  to  our  results.    It  has  also  created  an  environment  where  security  of  supply  is  of 
increasing importance.  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  on  a  global  basis  at  the  lowest  cost  possible,  consistent  with  stability  of  supply.  In  addition,  the 
international  leaf  dealers  have  larger  historical  market  shares  with  some  customers  than  with  others,  which  can  have  a 
disproportionate effect on our volumes. 

35 

    
Industry Evolution 

Recent customer efforts to procure leaf directly from farmers has changed parts of our business. Both Japan Tobacco 
and Philip Morris International have taken steps to procure more of their leaf needs directly from farmers.  We believe that the
manufacturers have taken these actions for several reasons, including the desire to enhance internal expertise in leaf procurement, 
actively  manage  the  leaf  supply  chain  in  an  increasingly  regulated  environment,  ensure  supply,  and  work  more  directly  with 
tobacco  growers.  Japan  Tobacco’s  increase  in  direct  leaf  procurement  reduced  our  volumes  in  fiscal  year  2011  in  our  North 
America  segment  and  in  Malawi  and  Brazil  in  our  Other  Regions  segment.  Philip  Morris  International’s  actions  will  reduce 
volumes  purchased  in  Brazil  in  our  Other  Regions  segment  in  our  fiscal  year  2012.    We  have  been  working  to  replace  those 
volumes, and have used this opportunity to broaden our customer base and expand the services we offer our customers.     

Direct leaf procurement by manufacturers has been a factor in our business for many years. Our challenge continues to 
be  to  adapt  our  way  of  doing  business  to  meet  customer  needs,  and  we  have  been  working  with  some  of  our  customers  to 
examine our arrangements in certain markets. Some customers may purchase green tobacco from us or from farmers in markets 
they  deem  to  be  strategic,  and  contract  with  us  through  long-term  agreements  for  individual  services,  such  as  agronomy, 
logistics,  and  processing.  Most  of  our  customers  do  not  utilize  the  entire  run  of  the  crop,  and  so  these  new  arrangements  are 
likely to be supplemented by traditional purchases of processed leaf tobacco from us or other dealers.  

We  believe  that  these  customer  efforts  are  likely  to  strengthen  our  relationships  over  the  long  term.  As  the  leading  
global  leaf  tobacco  merchant  and  processor,  we  add  significant  value  to  the  system,  providing  expertise  in  dealing  with  large 
numbers of farmers, providing a clearinghouse for various qualities of leaf produced in each crop, and delivering products that
meet  stringent  customer  quality  specifications.  We  also  help  stabilize  the  tobacco  markets  and  influence  the  crop  at  the  farm 
level.  Our key objective is to continually adapt our business model to meet our customers’ evolving needs while continuing to 
provide stability of supply and the quality that distinguishes our products and services. 

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.   

We bill our customers interest on tobacco purchased for their order at certain points in the inventory cycle. 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, 2011, 
tobacco inventory of $742 million included $571 million in inventory that was committed for sale to customers and $171 million 
that was not committed. Committed inventory, after deducting about $8 million in customer deposits, represents our potential net
exposure  of  about  $563  million.  We  normally  maintain  a  substantial  portion  of  our  debt  at  variable  interest  rates  in  order  to 
mitigate substantially interest rate risk related to carrying fixed-rate debt. At March 31, 2011, we had large cash balances that we 
plan to use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, and thus, debt carried at variable interest rates was lower than normal, at $404 
million. Although a hypothetical 1% change in short-term interest rates would result in a change in annual interest expense of 
approximately $4.0 million, that amount would be at least partially mitigated by changes in charges to customers. Our policy is
to work toward a level of floating-rate liabilities, including customer deposits, that reflects of our average committed inventory 
levels over time. 

Significant  portions  of  our  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  which  totaled  $141  million  at  March  31,  2011,  are  invested  at 
variable  rates.    Based  on  balances  at  March  31,  2011,  a  hypothetical  1%  increase  in  interest  rates  would  raise  annual  interest 
income by $1.4 million.   

In  addition,  changes  in  interest  rates  affect  the  calculation  of  liabilities  of  our  pension  plan.  As  rates  increase,  the 
liability for present value of amounts expected to be paid under the plans decreases.  Rate changes also affect expense. As of the 
March  31,  2011  measurement  date,  a  1%  increase  in  the  discount  rate  would  have  reduced  the  projected  benefit  obligation 
(“PBO”) for pensions by $27.5 million and decreased annual pension expense by $2.6 million.  Conversely, a 1% decrease in the 
discount rate would have increased the PBO by $33.4 million and increased annual pension expense by $3.1 million. 

36 

Currency 

The international leaf tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars, thereby limiting foreign exchange risk to that 
which is related to leaf purchase and production costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country. We also provide farmer
advances that are directly related to leaf purchases and are denominated in the local currency. Any currency gains or losses on
those advances are usually offset by decreases or increases in the cost of tobacco, which is priced in the local currency. However, 
the effect of the offset may not occur until a subsequent quarter or fiscal year. Most of our tobacco operations are accounted for 
using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Because there are no forward foreign exchange markets in many of our major 
countries of tobacco origin, we often manage our foreign exchange risk by matching funding for inventory purchases with the 
currency  of  sale,  which  is  usually  the  U.S.  dollar,  and  by  minimizing  our  net  local  currency  monetary  position  in  individual 
countries.  We  are  vulnerable  to  currency  remeasurement  gains  and  losses  to  the  extent  that  monetary  assets  and  liabilities 
denominated in local currency do not offset each other. We recognized $4.4 million in net remeasurement gains in fiscal year 
2011, compared to $9.3 million in net remeasurement losses in fiscal year 2010, and $46.0 million in net remeasurement losses 
in fiscal year 2009. We recognized $1.7 million in net foreign currency transaction gains in fiscal year 2011, compared to net 
transaction gains of $4.0 million in fiscal year 2010, and net transaction losses of $4.6 million in fiscal year 2009. 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 2009,
the local currency had 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.  We  have  entered  forward  currency  exchange  contracts  to  hedge  against  the  effects  of  currency 
movements on purchases of tobacco to reduce the volatility of costs, primarily pursuant to customer contracts. In addition, we 
have entered some forward contracts to hedge balance sheet exposures.  See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements in 
Item 8 for additional information about our hedging activities. 

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

Derivatives Policies 

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

We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk-sensitive instruments for 
trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction specific so that a specific debt instrument, forecast purchase, contract, or invoice
determines  the  amount,  maturity,  and  other  specifics  of  the  hedge.   Counterparty  risk  is  limited  to  institutions  with  long-term
debt ratings of A or better. 

37 

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  

(in thousands of dollars, e xce pt pe r share  data)

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,
2010

2009

2011

Sales and other operating revenues........................................................................................  

$   

2,571,527

$   

2,491,738

$   

2,554,659

Costs and expenses

Cost of goods sold........................................................................................................  

2,063,194

Selling, general and administrative expenses.................................................................  

Other income .............................................................................................................

Restructuring and impairment costs.............................................................................

251,597

(19,368)

21,504

1,949,473

285,056

    —   

    —   

2,035,318

309,409

    —   

    —   

Operating income.................................................................................................................

254,600

Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates...................................................  

Interest income...........................................................................................................

Interest expense..........................................................................................................

Income before income taxes.................................................................................................

Income taxes...............................................................................................................

Net income...........................................................................................................................  

Less:  net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries...............................

Net income attributable to Universal Corporation................................................................

8,634

2,723

23,058

242,899

78,349

164,550

7,985

156,565

257,209

22,376

1,253

24,210

256,628

86,283

170,345

1,948

168,397

209,932

20,543

2,305

35,631

197,149

64,588

132,561

822

131,739

Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock...........................

(14,850)

(14,850)

(14,850)

Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders......................................

$      

141,715

$      

153,547

$      

116,889

Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:

Basic.........................................................................................................................  

$            

5.94

$            

6.21

$            

4.57

Diluted......................................................................................................................  

$            

5.42

$            

5.68

$            

4.32

See accompanying notes. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
        
 
        
 
        
         
           
           
 
          
 
           
 
           
 
        
 
        
 
        
            
 
          
 
          
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
          
 
          
 
          
 
        
 
        
 
        
 
          
 
          
 
          
        
 
        
 
        
            
            
               
        
        
        
 
         
 
         
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  

(in thousands of dollars)

Current assets

ASSETS

March 31,

2011

2010

Cash and cash equivalents..........................................................................................................................

$      

141,007

$      

245,953

Accounts receivable, net............................................................................................................................   

Advances to suppliers, net.........................................................................................................................

Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates..........................................................................................
Inventories—at lower of cost or market: 

335,575

160,616

10,433

266,960

167,400

11,670

T obacco...........................................................................................................................................

742,422

812,186

Other...............................................................................................................................................

Prepaid income taxes................................................................................................................................

Deferred income taxes...............................................................................................................................   

Other current assets...................................................................................................................................   

48,647

18,661

47,009

73,864

52,952

13,514

47,074

75,367

T otal current assets..........................................................................................................................

1,578,234

1,693,076

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.............................................................................................................................   

14,851

257,380

555,316

827,547

(510,844)

316,703

99,546

115,478

18,177

99,729

332,930

16,036

266,350

532,824

815,210

(485,723)

329,487

105,561

106,336

30,073

106,507

348,477

T otal assets......................................................................................................................................

$   

2,227,867

$   

2,371,040

39 

  
 
  
        
  
        
  
        
  
        
 
          
  
          
  
  
  
        
  
        
  
          
  
          
  
          
  
          
          
  
          
          
  
          
  
     
  
     
  
  
          
  
          
        
  
        
  
        
  
        
  
        
  
        
  
       
  
       
  
        
  
        
  
  
  
          
  
        
  
        
  
        
          
  
          
          
  
        
  
        
  
        
  
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)  

(in thousands of dollars)

Current liabilities

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHO LDERS’ EQ UITY

March 31,

2011

2010

Notes payable and overdrafts....................................................................................................................
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.....................................................................................................  

$      

149,291
213,014

$      

177,013
259,576

Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates.............................................................................................
Customer advances and deposits................................................................................................................

Accrued compensation..............................................................................................................................

Income taxes payable................................................................................................................................  

Current portion of long-term obligations..................................................................................................

4,154
8,426

30,201

12,265

95,000

T otal current liabilities.....................................................................................................................  

512,351

Long-term obligations........................................................................................................................................  

Pensions and other postretirement benefits........................................................................................................  

Other long-term liabilities..................................................................................................................................

Deferred income taxes.......................................................................................................................................

320,193

102,858

50,213

42,847

6,464
107,858

30,097

18,991

15,000

614,999

414,764

96,888

69,886

46,128

T otal liabilities.................................................................................................................................  

1,028,462

1,242,665

Shareholders’ equity

Universal Corporation:

Preferred stock:

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares 

authorized, none issued or outstanding..............................................................................................  

    —   

    —   

Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value, 5,000,000

shares authorized, 219,999 shares issued and outstanding (219,999 at March 31, 2010)...................

213,023

213,023

Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,240,503 shares issued and 

outstanding (24,325,228 at March 31, 2010)...................................................................................  

Retained earnings......................................................................................................................................

Accumulated other comprehensive loss.....................................................................................................

191,608

825,751

(44,776)

195,001

767,213

(52,667)

T otal Universal Corporation shareholders' equity.............................................................................  

1,185,606

1,122,570

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries............................................................................................................

13,799

5,805

T otal shareholders' equity................................................................................................................

1,199,405

1,128,375

T otal liabilities and shareholders' equity...........................................................................................

$   

2,227,867

$   

2,371,040

See accompanying notes. 

40 

  
  
  
  
  
 
        
        
 
            
            
 
            
        
 
          
          
          
          
 
          
          
        
  
        
        
        
        
          
 
          
          
 
          
          
     
     
 
  
 
  
 
  
           
  
           
 
  
 
        
  
        
 
  
        
        
 
        
  
        
 
         
  
         
     
  
     
          
            
     
     
 
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

(in thousands of dollars)

Cash Flows From O pe rating Activitie s:

Fiscal Year Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Net income..................................................................................................................

$      

164,550

$      

170,345

$      

132,561

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 
operating activities:

Depreciation.............................................................................................................

Amortization............................................................................................................

Provision for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers............................  

Foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss, net.......................................................

Deferred income taxes..............................................................................................

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends............................

Gain on assignment of farmer contracts and sale of related assets..............................

Restructuring and impairment costs...........................................................................  

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........................................................

Customer advances and deposits.............................................................................

Net cash provided by operating activities..................................................................

43,654

1,618

18,666

(4,424)

(1,044)

(3,731)

(19,368)

21,504

9,368

(79,648)

75,146

(3,631)

(67,206)

(101,236)

54,218

41,288

2,208

18,514

9,309

13,755

(3,037)

    —   

    —   

5,536

11,096

(215,865)

2,142

14,679

92,264

162,234

40,761

1,029

26,908

45,987

20,480

(6,579)

    —   

    —   

8,173

(78,958)

(16,870)

2,029

(70,367)

(6,088)

99,066

Cash Flows From Inve sting Activitie s:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment..................................................................

(39,129)

(57,577)

(35,656)

Proceeds from assignment of farmer contracts and sale of related assets......................

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment...................................................  

Purchases of short-term investments...........................................................................

Maturities and sales of short-term investments............................................................

Other, net....................................................................................................................

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities.........................................................  

Cash Flows From Financing Activitie s:

Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net...............................................................  

Issuance of long-term debt...........................................................................................

Repayment of long-term debt......................................................................................

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests...................................................................

Issuance of common stock...........................................................................................

Repurchase of common stock......................................................................................

Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock...............................................  

Dividends paid on common stock.................................................................................  

Other...........................................................................................................................

34,946

5,575

    —   

    —   

260
1,652

(39,350)

    —   

(15,000)

(100)

    —   

(46,929)

(14,850)

(45,321)

    —   

Net cash used by financing activities.........................................................................

(161,550)

    —   

5,019

    —   

    —   

536
(52,022)

(5,250)

99,208

(79,500)

(104)

729

(32,194)

(14,850)

(45,882)

(1,193)

(79,036)

    —   

15,084

(9,658)

68,848

3,500
42,118

59,934

    —   

    —   

(104)

37

(111,073)

(14,850)

(45,938)

    —   

(111,994)

41 

 
 
          
          
          
 
            
            
            
          
          
          
 
           
            
          
 
           
          
          
 
           
           
           
         
           
           
          
           
           
 
            
            
            
 
         
          
         
 
          
       
         
 
           
            
            
 
         
          
         
 
       
          
           
 
          
        
          
 
         
         
         
 
          
           
           
            
            
          
           
           
           
           
           
          
 
               
               
            
            
         
          
         
           
          
           
          
           
 
         
         
           
 
              
              
              
 
           
               
                 
 
         
         
       
         
         
         
         
         
         
 
           
           
           
 
       
         
       
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued) 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...............................................................................

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..............................................................

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year......................................................................

734

(104,946)

245,953

2,151

33,327

212,626

(2,634)

26,556

186,070

Cash and Cash Equivale nts at End of Ye ar....................................................................

$      

141,007

$      

245,953

$      

212,626

Supplemental information—cash paid for: 

Interest.....................................................................................................................

$       

23,622

$        

24,961

$       

35,457

Income taxes, net of refunds.....................................................................................

$        

79,724

$        

82,934

$        

40,180

See accompanying notes. 

42 

 
               
            
           
 
       
          
          
 
        
        
        
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Universal Corporation Shareholders

Series B
6.75%
Convertible
Perpetual
Preferred
Stock

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

Common 
Stock

Retained  
Earnings

Non-
controlling 
Interests

T otal 
Shareholders' 
Equity

Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

(in thousands of dollars)

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2011

Balance at beginning of year........................

$    

213,023

$   

195,001

$   

767,213

$        

(52,667)

$       

5,805

$

1,128,375

Changes in preferred and common stock

Repurchase of common stock................

Accrual of stock-based compensation.....

   Withholding of shares for grantee 

    income taxes (RSUs)..........................

Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

Changes in retained earnings

Net income............................................
Cash dividends declared

     Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual 

    preferred stock ($67.50 per share).....

 Common stock ($1.90 per share)..........
Repurchase of common stock................
Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

Other comprehensive income (loss)
   T ranslation adjustments, net of

    income taxes......................................

   Foreign currency hedge adjustment, 

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

   Funded status of pension and other 
       postretirement benefit plans, 

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

Other changes in noncontrolling interests
   Dividends paid to noncontrolling 

    shareholders.......................................

(8,995)

5,893

(724)

433

(8,995)

5,893

(724)

433

156,565

7,985

164,550

$      

164,550

(14,850)

(45,043)
(37,701)
(433)

(14,850)

(45,043)
(37,701)
(433)

7,188

109

7,297

2,961

2,961

7,297

2,961

(2,258)

(2,258)

(2,258)

(100)

(100)

Balance at end of year..................................

$    

213,023

$   

191,608

$   

825,751

$        

(44,776)

$     

13,799

$

1,199,405

T otal comprehensive income.....................................................................................................................................................................

172,550

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests.........................................................................................................

(8,094)

Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation....................................................................................................................

$       

164,456

43 

 
        
         
         
          
         
           
 
            
             
   
        
      
 
  
      
  
       
  
      
  
       
 
  
      
  
       
 
  
           
  
            
           
           
         
           
           
         
           
          
        
          
           
            
         
            
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

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

Universal Corporation Shareholders

Series B
6.75%
Convertible
Perpetual
Preferred
Stock

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

Common 
Stock

Retained  
Earnings

Non-
controlling 
Interests

T otal 
Shareholders' 
Equity

Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

(in thousands of dollars)

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2010

Balance at beginning of year........................

$    

213,023

$   

194,037

$   

686,960

$        

(64,547)

$       

3,771

$

1,033,244

Changes in preferred and common stock

Issuance of common stock.....................
Repurchase of common stock................

Accrual of stock-based compensation.....

   Withholding of shares for grantee 

    income taxes (SARs and RSUs)...........
Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

Changes in retained earnings

Net income............................................
Cash dividends declared

     Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual 

    preferred stock ($67.50 per share).....

 Common stock ($1.86 per share)..........
Repurchase of common stock................
Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

Other comprehensive income (loss)
   T ranslation adjustments, net of

    income taxes......................................

   Foreign currency hedge adjustment, 

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

   Funded status of pension and other 
       postretirement benefit plans, 

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

Other changes in noncontrolling interests
   Dividends paid to noncontrolling 

    shareholders.......................................

1,183
(5,853)

6,133

(888)
389

1,183
(5,853)

6,133

(888)
389

168,397

1,948

170,345

$       

170,345

(14,850)

(45,815)
(27,090)
(389)

(14,850)

(45,815)
(27,090)
(389)

4,511

190

4,701

4,701

13,386

13,386

13,386

(6,017)

(6,017)

(6,017)

(104)

(104)

Balance at end of year..................................

$    

213,023

$   

195,001

$   

767,213

$        

(52,667)

$       

5,805

$

1,128,375

T otal comprehensive income.....................................................................................................................................................................

182,415

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests.........................................................................................................

(2,138)

Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation....................................................................................................................

$       

180,277

44 

 
         
          
 
        
         
         
          
 
           
            
 
            
             
 
     
         
      
 
 
 
  
      
  
       
  
      
  
       
 
  
      
  
       
 
  
           
  
            
           
           
         
           
         
       
         
            
         
            
           
            
         
            
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

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

Universal Corporation Shareholders

Series B 
6.75% 
Convertible 
Perpetual 
Preferred 
Stock

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

Common 
Stock

Retained  
Earnings

Non-
controlling 
Interests

T otal 
Shareholders' 
Equity

Comprehensive 
Income
(Loss)

(in thousands of dollars)

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2009

Balance at beginning of year........................

$   

213,023

$   

206,436

$   

711,655

$        

(15,483)

$       

3,182

$

1,118,813

Changes in preferred and common stock

Issuance of common stock.....................
Repurchase of common stock................

Accrual of stock-based compensation.....

   Withholding of shares for grantee 

    income taxes (SARs and RSUs)...........
Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

Changes in retained earnings

Net income............................................
Cash dividends declared

     Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual 

    preferred stock ($67.50 per share).....

 Common stock ($1.82 per share)..........
Repurchase of common stock................
Dividend equivalents on RSUs................

   Adoption of measurement timing 
       provisions of FASB Statement 
       No. 158 for pensions and other 

65
(16,790)

4,870

(1,464)
920

65
(16,790)

4,870

(1,464)
920

131,739

822

132,561

$      

132,561

(14,850)

(45,938)
(93,203)
(920)

(14,850)

(45,938)
(93,203)
(920)

    postretirement benefits .....................

(1,523)

(1,523)

Other comprehensive income (loss)
   T ranslation adjustments, net of

    income taxes......................................

   Foreign currency hedge adjustment, 

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

   Funded status of pension and other 
       postretirement benefit plans,

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

Other changes in noncontrolling interests
   Dividends paid to noncontrolling 

    shareholders.......................................

(19,639)

(129)

(19,768)

(19,768)

(15,803)

(15,803)

(15,803)

(13,622)

(13,622)

(13,622)

(104)

(104)

Balance at end of year..................................

$   

213,023

$   

194,037

$   

686,960

$        

(64,547)

$       

3,771

$

1,033,244

T otal comprehensive income....................................................................................................................................................................

83,368

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests........................................................................................................

(693)

Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation...................................................................................................................

$         

82,675

45 

 
              
               
 
      
       
         
          
 
        
         
 
            
             
   
           
      
 
  
      
  
       
  
      
  
       
 
  
      
  
       
 
  
           
  
            
      
        
        
          
       
        
          
       
          
 
          
       
          
           
            
           
               
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION    

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

Pre fe rre d Share s O utstanding:

Se rie s B 6.75% C onve rtible  Pe rpe tual Prefe rre d Stock:

Balance at beginning of year..................................................................................................  

219,999

Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock..................................................................

Repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock..............................................................  

Balance at end of year...........................................................................................................

    —   

    —   

219,999

219,999

    —   

    —   

219,999

219,999

    —   

    —   

219,999

Fiscal Year Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

C ommon Share s O utstanding:

Balance at beginning of year..................................................................................................  

24,325,228

24,999,127

27,162,150

Issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options and SARs.......................................
Repurchase of common stock................................................................................................

28,400
(1,113,125)

69,977

64,677

(743,876)

(2,227,700)

Balance at end of year...........................................................................................................

23,240,503

24,325,228

24,999,127

See accompanying notes. 

46 

  
  
  
  
  
        
        
        
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
 
        
        
        
   
   
   
 
          
          
          
    
 
 
   
   
   
 
  
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 the  
leading global leaf tobacco merchant and processor.  The Company conducts business in more than 30 countries, primarily in 
major tobacco-growing regions of the world. 

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.   

The  equity  method  of  accounting  is  used  for  investments  in  companies  where  Universal  Corporation  has  a  voting 
interest of 20% to 50%.  These 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 to the extent they represent a distribution of retained earnings.   The Company received dividends totaling
$12.0 million in fiscal year 2010 and $8.7 million in fiscal year 2009, from companies accounted for under the equity method.  
No dividends were received from those companies in fiscal year 2011. 

One of Universal’s operating subsidiaries has an ownership interest in a joint venture formed for the purpose of buying 
and processing tobacco in one of its primary markets.  The venture is classified as a variable interest entity and is included in the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements because the subsidiary is the primary beneficiary of the venture.  The venture is not 
material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position, and the Company had no other investments 
that were considered variable interest entities for any period in the accompanying financial statements. 

In fiscal year 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.
Since that time, the investment has been accounted for using the cost method, as required under the accounting guidance.  The 
investment  is  reported  in  investments  in  unconsolidated  affiliates  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets.    The  investment  in  the 
Zimbabwe operations was zero at March 31, 2011, and $1.3 million at March 31, 2010.  The investment at March 31, 2010, is 
included in segment assets for flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations – Other Regions in Note 15.  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.  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. 
Dividends from the Zimbabwe operations are recorded in income in the period received. 

The  Company  holds  less  than  a  100%  financial  interest  in  certain  consolidated  subsidiaries.    The  net  income  and 
shareholders’ equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiaries are reported on the face of the consolidated 
financial statements.  During fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011, there were no changes in the Company’s ownership percentage 
in any of these subsidiaries. 

47 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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 follows the applicable accounting guidance in 
determining the fair value of the investments. In most cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the
fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance).  If the fair value of an equity or cost method investee is determined to be
lower  than  its  carrying  value,  an  impairment  loss  is  recognized.    The  determination  of  fair  value  using  discounted  cash  flow 
models  is  normally  not  based  on  observable  market  data  from  independent  sources  and  therefore  requires  significant 
management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings 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 related to these investments.  

In  its  consolidated  statements  of  income,  the  Company  reports  its  proportionate  share  of  earnings  of  unconsolidated 
affiliates accounted for on the equity method based on the pretax earnings of those affiliates, as permitted under the applicable
accounting guidance.  All applicable foreign and U.S. income taxes are provided on these earnings and reported as a component 
of consolidated income tax expense.  For unconsolidated affiliates located in foreign jurisdictions, repatriation of the Company’s 
share of the earnings through dividends is assumed in determining income tax expense.   

The following table provides a reconciliation of (1) equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as reported 
in the consolidated statements of income to (2) equity in the net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends, as reported 
in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009: 

Unconsolidate d Affiliate s

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income........................

$          

8,634

$        

22,376

$        

20,543

Equity in income taxes..........................................................................................................

Equity in net income.............................................................................................................

Less:  Dividends received on investments (1).........................................................................   
Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements 

3,651

4,983

(1,252)

7,356

15,020

(11,983)

5,284

15,259

(8,680)

  of cash flows.......................................................................................................................

$          

3,731

$          

3,037

$          

6,579

(1)  In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a 

return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows. 

48 

    
 
 
  
            
            
            
  
            
          
          
           
         
           
 
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Earnings per Share  

The Company calculates basic earnings per share based on earnings available to common shareholders after payment of 
dividends on the Company’s Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock.  The calculation uses the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share 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 and performance share awards 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. 

Calculations  of  earnings  per  share  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2011,  2010,  and  2009,  are  provided  

in Note 4. 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments  

 All  highly  liquid  investments  with  a  maturity  of  three  months  or  less  at  the  time  of  purchase  are  classified  as  cash 
equivalents.  Short-term investments represent securities with a maturity exceeding three months at the time of purchase.  The 
Company did not hold any short-term investments at March 31, 2011 or 2010. 

Advances to Suppliers 

In some regions where the Company operates, it 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,  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  $74.9  million  at  March  31,  2011,  and  $56.2  million  at  March  31,  2010,  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 $18.7 million in fiscal year 2011, $18.5 million in fiscal year 2010, and $26.9 million in 
fiscal year 2009. These provisions are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of 
income.    Interest  on  advances  is  recognized  in  earnings  upon  the  farmers’  delivery  of  tobacco  in  payment  of  principal  and 
interest.  Recognition  of  interest  is  discontinued  when  an  advance  is  not  expected  to  be  fully  collected.  Advances  on  which 
interest  accrual  had  been  discontinued  totaled  approximately  $76  million  at  March  31,  2011,  and  $64.2  million  at  March  31, 
2010. 

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. 

49 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits 

In  many  foreign  countries,  the  Company’s  local  operating  subsidiaries  pay  significant  amounts  of  value-added  tax 
(“VAT”)  on  purchases  of  unprocessed  and  processed  tobacco,  crop  inputs,  packing  materials,  and  various  other  goods  and 
services.  In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level.  Items subject to VAT 
vary  from  jurisdiction  to  jurisdiction,  as  do  the  rates  at  which  the  tax  is  assessed.    When  tobacco  is  sold  to  customers  in  the
country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales.  The subsidiaries are normally permitted to
offset those VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities.  When 
tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed.  In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, 
VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments.  In those
situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate.  Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of
unused  VAT  credits  from  the  tax  authorities,  but  the  refund  process  often  takes  an  extended  period  of  time  and  it  is  not 
uncommon  for  refund  applications  to  be  challenged  or  rejected  in  part  on  technical  grounds.    Other  jurisdictions  may  permit 
companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions 
must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred are usually imposed, and the 
proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits.  Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries
in  some  countries  can  accumulate  significant  balances  of  VAT  credits  over  time.    The  Company  reviews  these  balances  on  a 
regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as 
discounts  anticipated  on  credits  that  are  expected  to  be  sold  or  transferred.    At  March  31,  2011,  the  aggregate  balance  of 
recoverable  tax  credits  held  by  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  totaled  approximately  $75  million,  and  the  related  valuation 
allowance totaled approximately $22 million. 

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  transport,  office,  and computer 
equipment.  Estimated  useful  lives  range  as  follows:  buildings—15  to  40  years;  processing  and  packing  machinery—3  to  11 
years; transport equipment—3 to 10 years; and office and computer equipment—3 to 10 years.  Where applicable, the Company 
capitalizes  related  interest  costs  during  periods  that  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  being  constructed  or  made  ready  for 
service.  No interest was capitalized in fiscal years 2011, 2010, or 2009. 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles  

Goodwill and other intangibles principally consist of 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  follows  the  applicable  fair value accounting 
guidance in determining the fair value of goodwill. This primarily involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of 
the  fair  value  hierarchy  in  the  accounting  guidance).  The  calculations  in  these  models  are  normally  not  based  on  observable 
market data from independent sources and therefore require significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future 
operating earnings 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,  which  could  increase  or  decrease  any 
impairment charge related to goodwill.  

Reporting  units  are  distinct  operating  subsidiaries  or  groups  of  subsidiaries  that  typically  compose  the  Company’s 
business in a specific country or location.  Goodwill is allocated to reporting units based on the country or location to which a 
specific  acquisition  relates,  or  by  allocation  based  on  expected  future  cash  flows  if  the  acquisition  relates  to  more  than  one 
country  or  location.  The  majority  of  the  Company’s  goodwill  relates  to  its  reporting  unit  in  Brazil.    No  charges  for  goodwill 
impairment  were  recorded  in  fiscal  years  2011,  2010,  or  2009.    During  the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2011,  goodwill  was 
reduced  by  approximately  $5.8  million  to  reflect  amounts  allocated  to  leaf  procurement  activities  associated  with  farmer 
contracts and related assets that were conveyed to an operating subsidiary of one of the Company’s major customers (see Note 
14). 

50 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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 of the asset to 
its fair value determined in accordance with the accounting guidance.  In many cases, this involves the use of discounted cash 
flow models that are not based on observable market data from independent sources (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under 
the  accounting  guidance).  As  discussed  in  Note  2,  the  Company  recorded  an  impairment  charge  of  $5.6  million  in  the  third 
quarter of fiscal year 2011 in connection with its decision to close its leaf tobacco processing facility in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada 
and sell the related assets. No significant charges for the impairment of long-lived assets were recorded during fiscal years 2010
or 2009.  

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,  goodwill,  and  valuation  allowances  on 
farmer  advances  and  value-added  tax  credits.  As  discussed  in  Note  5,  during  fiscal  year  2010,  the  Company  changed  the 
classification  of  undistributed  earnings  of  certain  foreign  subsidiaries  that  had  previously  been  designated  as  permanently 
reinvested.  Approximately  $3.5  million  in  deferred  U.S.  income  taxes  were  recorded  on  those  earnings  effective  with  this 
change.  At  March  31,  2011  and  2010,  the  Company  had  no  undistributed  earnings  of  foreign  subsidiaries  classified  as 
permanently reinvested. 

51 

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: 

2011

March 31,

2010

2009

T ranslation adjustments

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

$            

(819)

$       

(10,854)

$       

(17,784)

(2,792)

54

2,473

Foreign currency hedge adjustment

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

3,819

(1,337)

(736)

258

(21,330)

7,465

Funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans

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

(66,851)

23,204

(63,362)

21,973

(54,238)

18,867

T otal accumulated other comprehensive loss.........................................................................  

$       

(44,776)

$       

(52,667)

$       

(64,547)

Fair Values of Financial Instruments 

The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations, disclosed in Note 7, have been estimated using market prices 
where they are available and discounted cash flow models 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 reduce interest rate and foreign currency risk. The Company enters 
into  such  contracts  only  with  counterparties  of  good  standing.    The  credit  exposure  related  to  non-performance  by  the 
counterparties and the Company is considered in determining the fair values of the derivatives, and the effect is not material to 
the financial statements or operations of the Company.  Additional disclosures related to the Company’s derivatives and hedging
activities are provided in Note 9. 

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 applicable to 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 gains and losses that are included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and 
administrative  expense.    The  Company  recognized  net  remeasurement  gains  of  $4.4  million  in  fiscal  year  2011,  net 
remeasurement losses of $9.3 million in fiscal year 2010, and net remeasurement losses of $46.0 million in fiscal year 2009. 

Foreign  currency  transactions  and  forward  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts  that  are  not  designated  as  hedges 
generate gains and losses when they are settled or when they are marked to market under the prescribed accounting guidance.  
These transaction gains and losses are also included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses.  
The Company recognized net foreign currency transaction gains of $1.7 million in fiscal year 2011, net transaction gains of $4.0
million in fiscal year 2010, and net transaction losses of $4.6 million in fiscal year 2009. 

52 

    
 
  
           
   
                 
            
 
            
              
         
  
           
               
            
 
         
         
         
  
          
          
          
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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 subsidiaries that are 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 during 
fiscal year 2006 and are accounted for using the cost method.  

Revenue Recognition  

Revenue from the sale of tobacco is recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer and the earnings 
process is complete.  Substantially all sales revenue is recorded based on the physical transfer of products to customers.  A large 
percentage  of  the  Company’s  sales  are  to  major  multinational  manufacturers  of  consumer  tobacco  products.    The  Company 
works closely with those customers to understand and plan for their requirements for volumes, styles, and grades of leaf tobacco
from its various growing regions, and extensive coordination is maintained on an ongoing basis to determine and satisfy their 
requirements for physical shipment of processed tobacco.  In most cases, customers request shipment within a relatively short 
period  of  time  after  the  tobacco  is  processed  and  packed.    The  customers  also  specify,  in  sales  contracts  and  in  shipping 
documents,  the  precise  terms  for  transfer  of  title  and  risk  of  loss  for  the  tobacco.    Customer  returns  and  rejections  are  not 
significant,  and  the  Company’s  sales  history  indicates  that  customer-specific  acceptance  provisions  are  consistently  met  upon 
transfer of title and risk of loss. 

While most of the Company’s revenue consists of tobacco that is purchased from farmers, processed and packed in its 
factories, and then sold to customers, some revenue is earned from processing tobacco owned by customers.  These arrangements 
usually exist in specific markets where the customers contract directly with farmers for leaf production, and they have accounted
for less than 5% of total revenue on an annual basis through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.  Processing and packing of 
leaf tobacco is a short-duration process.  Under normal operating conditions, raw tobacco that is placed into the production line 
exits as processed and packed tobacco within one hour, and is then transported to customer-designated storage facilities.  The 
revenue  for  these  services  is  recognized  when  processing  is  completed,  and  the  Company’s  operating  history  indicates  that 
customer requirements for processed tobacco are consistently met upon completion of processing.   

Stock-Based Compensation 

Share-based payments, such as grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted share units 
and performance share awards, are measured at fair value and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite
service period.  Additional disclosures related to stock-based compensation are included in Note 13. 

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 

Recent Pronouncements Adopted Through March 31, 2011 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a 
replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (“SFAS 168”).  This Statement established the newly-developed FASB Accounting 
Standards  Codification™  (“Codification”)  as  the  single  source  of  authoritative  U.S.  generally  accepted  accounting  principles 
(“GAAP”) for all nongovernmental entities. All guidance in the Codification carries the same level of authority, and all changes
or additions to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles are now issued as Accounting Standards Updates.  In addition to 
the  Codification,  rules  and  interpretive  releases  of  the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”)  under  federal 
securities laws remain sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.   Universal was required to adopt SFAS 168 effective 
September  30,  2009.    SFAS  168  did  not  make  any  changes  to  existing  accounting  guidance  that  impacted  the  Company’s 
accounting and financial reporting.   

53 

 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

During  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  31,  2011,  2010,  and  2009,  Universal  adopted  the  following  key 

accounting pronouncements, most of which were issued prior to the initial effective date of the Codification: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

FASB  Accounting  Standards  Update  2010-06,  "Improving  Disclosures  about  Fair  Value  Measurements"  ("ASU 
2010-06"),  which  was  issued  by  the  FASB  in  January  2010  and  was  effective  for  interim  and  annual  financial 
statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009. ASU 2010-06 expands and clarifies the disclosure 
requirements  related  to  fair  value  measurements.  It  requires  companies  to  disclose  separately  the  amounts  of 
significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and describe the reasons for the 
transfers. In addition, information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis is required in 
the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 also clarifies existing fair value measurement 
disclosure guidance related  to  level  of disaggregation, fair  value  inputs,  and  valuation  techniques. Universal  was 
required to apply most provisions of the new guidance effective April 1, 2010, the beginning of fiscal year 2011. 
The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material effect on our financial statements. 

FASB  Staff  Position  No.  132(R)-1,  “Employers’  Disclosures  about  Postretirement  Benefit  Plan  Assets”  (“FSP 
132(R)-1”),  adopted  effective  March  31,  2010.    This  pronouncement,  which  is  now  a  part  of  Topic  715  of  the 
Codification,  requires  expanded  disclosures  about  plan  assets  of  defined  benefit  pension  or  other  postretirement 
benefit plans.  The new disclosures include information about investment allocation decisions, categories of plan 
assets,  the  inputs  and  valuation  techniques  used  to  measure  the  fair  value  of  those  assets,  and  significant 
concentrations of credit risk.  The disclosures required by FSP 132(R)-1 are included in Note 11 and did not have a 
material effect on the Company’s financial statements. 

FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  165,  “Subsequent  Events”  (“SFAS  165”),  adopted 
effective  June  30,  2009.    SFAS  165,  which  is  now  set  forth  under  Topic  855  of  the  Codification,  establishes 
standards  for  accounting  and  disclosure  for  events  occurring  after  the  balance  sheet  date  but  before  financial 
statements are issued.  It defines the period after the balance sheet date during which events or transactions should 
be  evaluated  for  potential  recognition  or  disclosure,  and  it  provides  guidance  on  recognition  and  disclosure  of 
actual  transactions  or  events  occurring  after  the  balance  sheet  date.    The  adoption  of  SFAS  165  did  not  have  a 
material effect on the Company’s financial statements. 

FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial 
Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”), adopted effective April 1, 2009.  SFAS 160, which is 
now  set  forth  in  Topic  810  of  the  Codification,  requires  that  noncontrolling  interests  in  subsidiaries  that  are 
included  in  a  company’s  consolidated  financial  statements,  commonly  referred  to  as  “minority  interests,”  be 
reported  as  a  component  of  shareholders’  equity  in  the  balance  sheet.    It  also  requires  that  a  company’s 
consolidated net income and comprehensive income include the amounts attributable to both the company’s interest 
and the noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary, identified separately in the financial statements.  Finally, the new 
guidance  requires  certain  disclosures  about  noncontrolling  interests  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  
Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. 

FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  141(R),  “Business  Combinations”  (“SFAS  141(R)”), 
adopted effective April 1, 2009.  SFAS 141(R) requires that companies record assets acquired, liabilities assumed, 
and noncontrolling interests in business combinations at fair value, separately from goodwill, as of the acquisition 
date.    This  approach  differs  from  the  cost  allocation  approach  provided  under  previous  accounting  guidance  and 
can result in recognition of a gain at acquisition date if the cost to acquire a business is less than the net fair value of 
the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests.  SFAS 141(R), which is now set forth under 
Topic  805  of  the  Codification,  also  provides  new  guidance  on  recording  assets  and  liabilities  that  arise  from 
contingencies  in  a  business  combination,  and  it  requires  that  transaction  costs  associated  with  business 
combinations  be  charged  to  expense  instead  of  being  recorded  as  part  of  the  cost  of  the  acquired  business.  
Universal has not entered any business combinations since adopting the new guidance, but will apply the guidance 
to all future business combinations. 

54 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

The measurement timing 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”),  now part  of  the  guidance  in  Codification  Topic  715.    These  provisions 
require that the funded status of defined benefit plans be measured as of the balance sheet date, which eliminated 
the option allowed under the prior guidance, and previously used by the Company, to measure funded status at a 
date up to three months before the balance sheet date.  To adopt the provisions, the Company began measuring its 
pension and other postretirement benefit plans as of the balance sheet date effective March 31, 2009.  At that date, 
the Company recorded a direct adjustment to reduce retained earnings by $1.5 million ($2.3 million before income 
taxes),  reflecting  the  expense  attributable  to  the  intervening  three-month  transition  period.    As  required  by  the 
guidance, changes in the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations for the full fifteen-month period between 
the fiscal year 2008 and 2009 measurement dates were recognized in other comprehensive income for fiscal year 
2009. 

FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  161,  “Disclosures  about  Derivative  Instruments  and 
Hedging  Activities”  (“SFAS  161”),  adopted  effective  March  31,  2009.    SFAS  161,  which  is  now  part  of  the 
guidance set forth in Topic 815 of the Codification, amended several prior accounting pronouncements to require 
enhanced  disclosures  about  derivatives  and  hedging  activities  aimed  at  improving  the  transparency  and 
understanding  of  those  activities  for  financial  statement  users.    It  requires  additional  disclosures  explaining  the 
objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, how those instruments and the related hedged items are 
accounted  for,  and  how  they  affect  a  company’s  financial  position,  results  of  operations,  and  cash  flows.    The 
disclosures required by SFAS 161 are provided in Note 9. 

Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods 

In addition to the above accounting pronouncements adopted through March 31, 2011, the following pronouncements 

have been issued and will become effective in fiscal year 2012: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

FASB  Accounting  Standards  Update  2009-13,  “Multiple-Deliverable  Revenue  Arrangements”  (“ASU  2009-13”), 
which  was  issued  by  the  FASB  in  October  2009.    ASU  2009-13  establishes  a  selling  price  hierarchy  for 
determining  the  selling  price  of  a  deliverable  in  a  multiple-deliverable  arrangement.  It  also  requires  additional 
disclosures about the methods and assumptions used to evaluate multiple-deliverable arrangements and to identify 
the  significant  deliverables  within  those  arrangements.  ASU  2009-13  is  effective  prospectively  for  revenue 
arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which means 
that Universal will be required to adopt the guidance effective April 1, 2011, the beginning of fiscal year 2012.  The 
adoption of ASU 2009-13 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. 

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2011-04”), which was issued in 
May  2011.    The  primary  focus  of  ASU  2011-04  is  the  convergence  of  accounting  requirements  for  fair  value 
measurements and related financial statement disclosures under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”).  While ASU 2011-04 does not significantly change existing guidance for measuring fair value, 
it  does  require  additional  disclosures  about  fair  value  measurements  and  changes  the  wording  of  certain 
requirements in the guidance to achieve consistency with IFRS.  ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual 
periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is required to be applied prospectively.  The Company is currently 
evaluating the revised guidance to determine the effect it will have on its financial statements. 

Reclassifications

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

55 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

 NOTE 2.   RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS 

In November 2010, Universal decided to close its leaf tobacco processing facility in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.  The 
Company will continue to buy tobacco grown in Canada, but will process that leaf at its U.S. factory in North Carolina.  All full-
time  salaried  personnel  at  the  Simcoe  location  have  been  or  will  be  terminated  with  the  closure  of  the  facility,  and  seasonal 
employees will not be rehired for the 2011 crop year.  Under Canadian statutory and common law, the salaried employees and 
certain seasonal employees are entitled to termination benefits.  The Company accrued the cost of these benefits, which totaled
approximately  $2.4  million,  during  fiscal  year  2011,  and  they  have  been  or  will  be  paid  to  the  employees  shortly  after  their 
departure  dates.  Nearly  all  employees  departed  on  or  before  March  31,  2011.  Full-time  salaried  personnel  had  vested  service 
under a defined benefit pension plan, and the Company incurred pension curtailment and settlement costs totaling approximately 
$4.1  million  in  connection  with  actions  taken  to  terminate  that  plan.    The  Company  determined  that  the  Simcoe  processing 
facility  and  a  separate  storage  complex  met  the  accounting  requirements  for  classification  as  “held  for  sale”  at  the  date  the 
decision  was  made  to  close  the  operations.    Based  on  terms  of  sale  negotiated  with  a  buyer  for  the  processing  facility  and  a 
separate offer for the storage complex, an impairment charge of approximately $5.6 million was recorded to write those assets 
down to their fair values, net of selling costs.  The Canadian operations are included in the North America segment, and revenues
and earnings for these operations have not been material to that segment in recent years. 

In  addition  to  the  restructuring  and  impairment  costs  related  to  the  decision  to  close  the  facility  in  Canada,  the 
Company recorded other restructuring costs during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, associated with initiatives undertaken 
to adjust various operations and reduce costs.  Most of the restructuring costs represent employee termination benefits associated 
with voluntary early retirement offers and involuntary separations at the Company’s headquarters and operating locations in the
United States, South America, Africa, and Europe that are part of the North America and Other Regions reportable segments. 

A summary of the restructuring and impairment costs recorded through March 31, 2011, is as follows: 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Re structuring Costs:

Closure  of 
Proce ssing 
Facility
 in Canada

O the r 
Re structuring 
and Cost 
Re duction 
Initiative s

Total

     Employee termination benefits..............................................................................

$              

2,412

$              

8,743

$            

11,155

     Pension curtailment and settlement costs...............................................................

     Other costs............................................................................................................

4,081

    —   

6,493

    —   

636

9,379

4,081

636

15,872

Impairme nt Costs:

     Property, plant and equipment...............................................................................

5,632

    —   

5,632

     T otal restructuring and impairment costs...............................................................

$            

12,125

$              

9,379

$            

21,504

56 

 
 
                
              
                
 
              
 
                   
 
                   
 
                
 
                
 
              
 
                
              
 
                
 
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

A reconciliation of the Company’s liability for the restructuring costs outlined above (excluding pension curtailment 

and settlement costs) through March 31, 2011, is as follows: 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Employe e  
Te rmination 
Be ne fits

O the r Costs

Total

Restructuring costs charged to expense during fiscal year 2011....................................

$            

11,155

$                 

636

$            

11,791

Payments during fiscal year 2011................................................................................

(4,769)

(411)

(5,180)

Restructuring liability at March 31, 2011.....................................................................

$              

6,386

$                 

225

$              

6,611

The employee termination benefits outlined in the tables above relate to approximately 200 total employees, including 
those affected by the facility closure in Canada.  Substantially all of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2011, will be paid 
before  the  end  of  fiscal  year  2012.    Universal  continually  reviews  its  business  for  opportunities  to  realize  efficiencies,  reduce 
costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes.  The Company expects to incur additional restructuring costs
and may also incur asset impairment charges in future periods as business changes occur and additional cost savings initiatives
are implemented. 

57 

 
 
 
 
              
 
                 
 
              
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 3.   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 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 €11.88 million (approximately $14.9 million 
at the September 2004 exchange rate) 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 General Court of the European Union (“General Court”).  A hearing 
was held in June 2009, and on September 8, 2010, the General Court issued its decision, in which it reduced the amount of the 
Deltafina fine to €6.12 million. The General Court held in part that the Commission erred in finding Deltafina acted as the leader 
of  the  Spanish  cartel,  and  that  the  Commission’s  corresponding  increase  of  the  underlying  fine  by  50%  was  not  justified.  
Deltafina filed an appeal to the General Court decision with the European Court of Justice on November 18, 2010.  Although 
Deltafina agreed with the General Court that there was no basis for finding that Deltafina had acted as the leader of the Spanish
cartel,  Deltafina  believed  the  General  Court  erred  in  not  reducing  the  remaining  fine  further  based  on  numerous  grounds.    A 
hearing has not been set to date and an ultimate resolution to the matter could take several years.  The Company had deposited 
funds  in  an  escrow  account  with  the  Commission  in  February  2005  in  an  amount  equal  to  the  original  fine.    The  Company 
received funds from escrow in an amount equal to the reduction by the General Court plus interest that had accrued thereon.  As
a result of the General Court’s decision in September 2010, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company reversed
€5.76 million (approximately $7.4 million) of the charge previously recorded to accrue the fine and recognized approximately 
$1.2  million  of  interest  income  returned  on  the  escrow  funds.    The  reversal  of  the  fine  is  included  in  selling,  general  and 
administrative expense in the consolidated statement of income. 

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  conditional  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  $42  million  at  the  March  31,  2011  exchange  rate)  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  either  the  Commission’s  Statement  of 
Objections or the facts. In January 2006, the Company and Deltafina each filed appeals in the General Court. Deltafina’s appeal
was  held  on  September  28,  2010.  For  strategic  reasons  related  to  the  defense  of  the  Deltafina  appeal,  Universal  withdrew  its 
appeal.  Based on consultation with outside legal counsel, the Company believes it is probable that Deltafina will prevail in the
appeals process and has not accrued a charge for the fine.  If the Company and Deltafina are ultimately found liable for the full
amount  of  the  fine,  then  accumulated  interest  on  the  fine  would  also  be  due  and  payable.  Accumulated  interest  totaled 
approximately €5 million (about $8 million) at March 31, 2011.  Deltafina has provided a bank guarantee to the Commission in 
the amount of the fine plus accumulated interest in order to stay execution during the appeals process.   

58 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Other Legal and Tax Matters 

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

NOTE 4.   EARNINGS PER SHARE  

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

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Basic Earnings Pe r Share

Nume rator for basic e arnings pe r share

   Net income attributable to Universal Corporation..............................................................

$      

156,565

$      

168,397

$      

131,739

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

(14,850)

(14,850)

(14,850)

   Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders

      for calculation of basic earnings per share........................................................................

141,715

153,547

116,889

 De nominator for basic e arnings pe r share

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

23,859

24,732

25,570

 Basic e arnings pe r share .................................................................................................

$            

5.94

$            

6.21

$            

4.57

Dilute d Earnings Pe r Share

Nume rator for dilute d e arnings pe r share

   Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders....................................

$      

141,715

$      

153,547

$      

116,889

   Add:  Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if 

      conversion assumed)........................................................................................................

14,850

14,850

14,850

   Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders

      for calculation of diluted earnings per share.....................................................................

156,565

168,397

131,739

De nominator for dilute d e arnings pe r share :

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

23,859

24,732

25,570

    Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)

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

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

4,750

279

4,733

197

4,718

178

    Denominator for diluted earnings per share.......................................................................

28,888

29,662

30,466

Dilute d e arnings pe r share ...............................................................................................

$            

5.42

$            

5.68

$            

4.32

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, certain stock appreciation rights and certain stock options 
outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
These shares totaled 622,801 at a weighted-average exercise price of $53.44 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, 404,800 at
a  weighted-average  exercise  price  of  $58.96  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2010,  and  507,801  at  a  weighted-average 
exercise price of $56.52 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.   

59 

 
 
 
         
         
 
         
 
        
        
 
        
 
          
          
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
          
          
 
          
 
 
 
        
        
 
        
 
          
          
 
          
 
            
            
 
            
 
               
               
 
               
 
          
          
 
          
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 5.   INCOME TAXES  

Income taxes consisted of the following:  

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Current

United States...................................................................................................................

$        

18,052

$        

12,246

$        

19,622

State and local.................................................................................................................

Foreign............................................................................................................................  

Deferred

United States...................................................................................................................

State and local.................................................................................................................

Foreign............................................................................................................................  

2,290

59,051

79,393

(43)

(226)

(775)

(1,044)

3,357

56,925

72,528

4,134

247

9,374

13,755

4,178

20,308

44,108

17,066

123

3,291

20,480

T otal............................................................................................................................  

$        

78,349

$        

86,283

$        

64,588

Foreign taxes include U.S. tax expense on earnings of foreign subsidiaries. 

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...........................................................................

Change in classification of permanently reinvested earnings..................................................

Change in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.............................................................

Other, including changes in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions.............................

Effective income tax rate......................................................................................................

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

35.0%

0.6

    —   

    —   

(0.2)

(3.2)

32.2%

35.0%

0.9  

    —   

1.4  

    —   

(3.7) 

33.6%

35.0%

1.4  

0.4  

    —   

(1.5) 

(2.5) 

32.8%

At  the  beginning  of  fiscal  year  2010,  Universal  had  approximately  $52  million  of  undistributed  earnings  of  foreign 
subsidiaries  on  which  no  provision  for  U.S.  income  taxes  had  been  recorded  because  those  earnings  were  designated  as 
permanently reinvested.  Effective March 31, 2010, the Company changed the classification of those earnings to reflect a change
in  management’s  intent  to  repatriate  the  earnings  consistent  with  appropriate  tax  planning  and  good  business  practice  in  the 
respective  foreign  countries.    As  a  result  of  this  change,  approximately  $3.5  million  of  additional  income  tax  expense  was 
recognized in fiscal year 2010 to record the applicable U.S. income tax liability. The Company no longer has any undistributed 
earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently reinvested. 

The U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes and other items were as follows: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

United States.........................................................................................................................

$        

32,826

$        

48,675

$      

103,791

Foreign..................................................................................................................................   
T otal...............................................................................................................................   

210,073

207,953

93,358

$      

242,899

$      

256,628

$      

197,149

60 

            
            
            
          
          
          
          
          
          
                
            
          
              
               
               
              
            
            
           
          
          
 
                
           
           
           
           
               
           
               
 
  
        
        
          
  
  
 
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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

March 31,

2011

2010

Liabilitie s

Foreign withholding taxes...................................................................................................................................  

$        

16,692

$        

16,438

Undistributed earnings........................................................................................................................................

Goodwill.............................................................................................................................................................

All other............................................................................................................................................................

34,015

31,515

22,386

23,937

34,973

27,320

T otal deferred tax liabilities..........................................................................................................................  

$      

104,608

$      

102,668

Asse ts

Employee benefit plans......................................................................................................................................

$        

50,761

$        

48,392

Deferred compensation......................................................................................................................................

Valuation allowances on Brazilian farmer advances and value-added tax credits...................................................  

All other............................................................................................................................................................

T otal deferred tax assets...............................................................................................................................  

5,055

36,232

34,571
126,619

4,082

30,920

41,155
124,549

Valuation allowance............................................................................................................................................

(3,427)

(4,082)

Net deferred tax assets..................................................................................................................................  

$      

123,192

$      

120,467

 At  March  31,  2011,  the  Company  had  no  material  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  in  either  its  domestic  or  foreign 

operations. 

Combined Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The combined income tax expense (benefit) allocable to continuing operations, other comprehensive income, and direct 

adjustments to shareholders' equity was as follows: 

Fiscal Year Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Continuing operations...........................................................................................................  

$        

78,349

$        

86,283

$        

64,588

Other comprehensive income...............................................................................................

Direct adjustments to shareholders' equity.............................................................................

3,210

159

6,520

(454)

(26,285)

(848)

T otal....................................................................................................................................

$        

81,718

$        

92,349

$        

37,455

61 

  
  
  
 
          
          
 
          
  
          
 
          
  
          
 
  
 
            
  
            
          
  
          
 
          
  
          
        
        
           
           
  
 
 
            
            
         
 
               
              
              
 
  
  
  
  
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Uncertain Tax Positions

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the gross liability for uncertain tax positions for the fiscal years 

ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, is as follows: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year.............................................................

$        

22,184

$        

22,740

$     

25,801

Additions:

Related to tax positions for the current year.........................................................................

Related to tax positions for prior years.................................................................................

Reductions:

Related to tax positions for prior years.................................................................................

Due to settlements with tax jurisdictions...............................................................................

Due to lapses of statutes of limitations..................................................................................

Other reductions....................................................................................................................

Effect of currency rate movement........................................................................................

1,184

77

(205)

(12,765)

(1,571)

    —   

319

9,609

574

(1,674)

(1,552)

(4,802)

(4,041)

1,330

3,277

1,873

    —   

    —   

(5,032)

    —   

(3,179)

Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year......................................................................

$          

9,223

$        

22,184

$     

22,740

Of the total $12.8 million reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions in fiscal year 2011 due to settlements with 
tax jurisdictions, approximately $5.7 million represented tax paid and $7.1 million represented amounts reversed through income
tax expense.  Of the total liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2011, approximately $0.9 million could have an effect 
on the consolidated effective tax rate if the tax benefits are recognized.  The liability for uncertain tax positions includes $0.7 
million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts could change significantly before March 31,
2012.  This amount reflects a possible decrease in the liability for uncertain tax positions that could result from the completion 
and resolution of tax audits and the expiration of open tax years in various tax jurisdictions. 

The  Company  recognizes  accrued  interest  related  to  uncertain  tax  positions  as  interest  expense,  and  it  recognizes 
penalties as a component of income tax expense.  The consolidated statements of income include net expense for interest and 
penalties of $0.2 million in fiscal year 2011, a net reversal of interest and penalties of $2.6 million in fiscal year 2010, and net 
expense  for  interest  and  penalties  of  $3.6  million  in  fiscal  year  2009.    At  March  31,  2011  and  2010,  $5.8  million  and  $6.5 
million, respectively, were accrued for interest and penalties. 

Universal and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return, as well as returns in several U.S. states 
and a number of foreign jurisdictions.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company's earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes was its fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  Open tax years in state and foreign jurisdictions generally range from three
to six years. 

62 

 
            
                 
              
           
       
         
           
       
           
           
       
               
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 6.   CREDIT FACILITIES 

Five-Year Revolving Bank Credit Facility 

The  Company  has  a  five-year  revolving  bank  credit  agreement  that  provides  for  a  credit  facility  of  $400  million, 
maturing in August 2012.  Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at variable rates, based on either 1) LIBOR plus a
negotiated  spread  (0.8%  at  March  31,  2011)  or  2)  the  higher  of  the  federal  funds  rate  plus  0.5%  or  Prime  rate,  each  plus  a 
negotiated spread (no spread at March 31, 2011).  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, 2011 and 2010, there were no borrowings 
outstanding under the revolving credit agreement.   

Certain covenants in the revolving credit agreement require the Company to maintain a minimum level of tangible net 

worth and observe limits on debt levels.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2011. 

Short-Term Credit Facilities 

The  Company  maintains  short-term  uncommitted  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,  2011  and  2010,  approximately  $149  million  and  $177  million,  respectively,  were  outstanding  under  these 
uncommitted lines of credit.  At March 31, 2011, the Company and its consolidated affiliates had unused uncommitted lines of 
credit  totaling  approximately  $399  million.    The  weighted  average  interest  rates  on  short-term  borrowings  outstanding  as  of 
March 31, 2011 and 2010, were approximately 4.2% and 4.1%, respectively.  

NOTE 7.   LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 

Long-term obligations consisted of the following: 

March 31,

2011

2010

Medium-term notes due from 2011 to 2014 at various rates...............................................................................  

$      

415,193

$      

429,764

Less current portion...........................................................................................................................................

(95,000)

(15,000)

Long-term obligations........................................................................................................................................

$      

320,193

$      

414,764

Notes

The Company had $405 million principal amount of medium-term notes outstanding at March 31, 2011.  These notes, 
which have a carrying amount of $415 million after fair value adjustments for related interest rate swap agreements, mature at 
various dates from September 2011 to December 2014 and were all issued with fixed interest rates.  Interest rates on the notes 
range from 5.00% to 6.25%.  In November 2008, the Company filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC 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. 

63 

 
  
  
  
         
         
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Other Information 

The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations, including the current portion, was approximately $416 million 

at March 31, 2011, and $421 million at March 31, 2010.   

As  indicated  above,  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, 2011 and 2010, the Company had interest rate swap 
agreements in place on $245 million of long-term debt.  The fair value of those swap agreements was an asset of $10.2 million at
March  31,  2011,  and  $9.8  million  at  March  31,  2010.    Additional  disclosures  related  to  the  Company’s  interest  rate  swap 
agreements are provided in Note 10. 

Maturities  of  long-term  debt  outstanding  at  March  31,  2011,  by  fiscal  year,  were  as  follows:    2012  -  $95  million;  
2013  -  $10  million;  2014  -  $200  million;  and  2015  -  $100  million.    All  long-term  debt  outstanding  at  March  31,  2011,  is 
scheduled to be repaid by the end of fiscal year 2015.   

NOTE 8.   LEASES(cid:3)

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 $21.8 million
in fiscal year 2011, $20.8 million in fiscal year 2010, and $19.3 million in fiscal year 2009.  Future minimum payments under 
non-cancelable operating leases total $19.2 million in 2012, $10.4 million in 2013, $4.8 million in 2014, $4.5 million in 2015,
$4.0 million in 2016, and $7.3 million after 2016. 

NOTE 9.   DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES 

Universal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage 
two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk.  Interest rate risk has been managed by 
entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward 
foreign  currency  exchange  contracts.    However,  the  Company’s  policy  permits  other  instruments.    In  addition,  management 
works to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk by minimizing net monetary positions in non-functional currencies, which 
may  include  using  local  borrowings.    The  disclosures  below  provide  additional  information  about  the  Company’s  hedging 
strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and the
consolidated balance sheets.  In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities 
are reported in net cash provided by operating activities. 

Fair Value Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk 

Universal has entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate risk, with a strategy of 
maintaining a level of floating rate debt that approximates the interest rate exposure on its committed inventories.  The strategy is 
implemented by borrowing at floating interest rates and converting a portion of the Company’s fixed-rate debt to floating rates.
The interest rate swap agreements allow the Company to receive amounts equal to the fixed interest payments it is obligated to 
make on the underlying debt instruments in exchange for making floating-rate interest payments that are adjusted semi-annually 
based on changes in the benchmark interest rate. 

The Company’s interest rate swap agreements are designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in the 
fair value of the underlying debt instruments created by fluctuations in prevailing market interest rates.  In all cases, the critical 
terms  of  each  interest  rate  swap  agreement  match  the  terms  of  the  underlying  debt  instrument,  and  there  is  no  hedge 
ineffectiveness.  The total notional amount of the Company’s receive-fixed/pay-floating interest rate swaps was $245 million at 
March 31, 2011 and 2010. 

64 

 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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

The majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in 
export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars.  However, purchases of tobacco from farmers and most processing costs 
(such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency.  Changes in exchange rates between
the  U.S.  dollar  and  the  local  currencies  where  tobacco  is  grown  and  processed  affect  the  ultimate  U.S.  dollar  cost  of  the 
processed tobacco and therefore can adversely impact the gross profit earned on the sale of that tobacco.  Since the Company is
able  to  reasonably  forecast  the  volume,  timing,  and  local  currency  cost  of  its  tobacco  purchases  and  processing  costs,  it  has 
routinely  entered  into  forward  contracts  to  sell  U.S.  dollars  and  buy  the  local  currency  at  future  dates  that  coincide  with  the
expected  timing  of  the  portion  of  those  purchases  and  costs  on  which  customer  sales  and  pricing  have  been  agreed.    By 
considering those pricing arrangements with key customers, this strategy substantially offsets the variability of future U.S. dollar 
cash flows for tobacco purchases and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged.  The hedging strategy 
has been used mainly for tobacco purchases and processing costs in Brazil, where the large crops, the terms of sale to customers,
and the availability of derivative markets make it particularly desirable to manage the related foreign exchange rate risk.   

For the crops bought, processed, and sold in fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011, all contracts related to tobacco purchases 
in Brazil were designated and qualified as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco.  As
a result, except for insignificant amounts related to any ineffective portion of the hedging strategy, changes in fair values of the 
forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings upon sale of 
the related tobacco to third-party customers.  Forward contracts related to processing costs have not been designated as hedges,
and gains and losses on those contracts have been recognized in earnings on a mark-to-market basis.   

Through March 2011, the Company hedged approximately $124 million U.S. dollar notional amount related to 2010-
2011  crop  tobacco  purchases  in  Brazil.    Additional  forward  contracts  totaling  approximately  $32  million  U.S.  dollar  notional 
amount were entered to mitigate currency exposure on processing costs related to that crop.  Purchases of the 2010-2011 crop are
expected to be completed in August 2011, and all forward contracts to hedge those purchases will mature and be settled by that 
time.  For all hedge gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2011, the Company expects 
to  complete  the  sale  of  the  tobacco  and  recognize  the  amounts  in  earnings  during  fiscal  year  2012.    At  March  31,  2011,  all 
hedged forecast  purchases of tobacco not  yet  completed  remained  probable  of occurring  within  the originally  designated  time 
period and, as a result, no hedges had been discontinued.  As noted above, changes in the fair values of forward contracts related
to processing costs are being recognized in earnings each quarter on a mark-to-market basis. 

From March through July 2010, the Company hedged approximately $109 million U.S. dollar notional amount related 
to  2009-2010  crop  tobacco  purchases  in  Brazil.    Additional  forward  contracts  totaling  approximately  $58  million  U.S.  dollar 
notional amount were entered to mitigate currency exposure on processing costs related to that crop.  Purchases of the 2009-2010
crop were completed in July 2010, and all forward contracts to hedge those purchases matured and were settled by that time.  All
hedge gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss were recognized in cost of goods sold with the sale of 
tobacco during fiscal year 2011. As noted above, changes in the fair values of forward contracts related to processing costs were
recognized in earnings each quarter on a mark-to-market basis. 

From  September  2008  through  July  2009,  the  Company  hedged  approximately  $241  million  U.S.  dollar  notional 
amount  related  to  2008-2009  crop  tobacco  purchases  in  Brazil,  primarily  related  to  customer  contractual  requirements.  
Purchases of that crop were completed in July 2009, and all forward contracts to hedge those purchases matured and were settled
by that time.  All hedge gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss were recognized in cost of goods 
sold with the sale of the tobacco during fiscal year 2010.     

65 

 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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

Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority 
of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.  These 
subsidiaries  normally  have  certain  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  on  their  balance  sheets  that  are  denominated  in  the  local 
currency.  Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances
to  farmers  and  suppliers,  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities,  recoverable  value-added  taxes,  and  other  items.    Net 
monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  the  local  currency  are  remeasured  into  U.S.  dollars  each  reporting  period, 
generating  gains  and  losses  that  the  Company  records  in  earnings  as  a  component  of  selling,  general,  and  administrative 
expenses.  The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the
year  based  on  the  operating  cycle,  but  it  is  most  common  for  monetary  assets  to  exceed  monetary  liabilities,  sometimes  by  a 
significant amount.  When this situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are
generated.  Conversely, remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens 
against the U.S. dollar.   Due to the size of its operations and the fact that it provides significant financing to farmers for crop 
production,  the  Company’s  subsidiary  in  Brazil  has  significant  exposure  to  currency  remeasurement  gains  and  losses  due  to 
fluctuations  in  exchange  rates  at  certain  times  of  the  year.    During  fiscal  year  2009,  the  Brazilian  currency  weakened 
dramatically  from  September  through  December  2008,  generating  approximately  $41  million  in  remeasurement  losses  on  net 
monetary  assets  held  during  that  period.   To  manage  a portion of  its  exposure  to  currency  remeasurement  gains  and  losses  in 
Brazil during fiscal years 2009 and 2011, the Company entered into forward contracts to sell the Brazilian currency and buy U.S.
dollars  at  future  dates  coinciding  with  expected  changes  in  the  overall  net  local  currency  monetary  asset  position  of  the 
subsidiary.    Gains  and  losses  on  the  forward  contracts  were  recorded  in  earnings  as  a  component  of  selling,  general,  and 
administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occurred, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or
gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged.  Accordingly, the Company did not designate 
these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The notional amount of these contracts totaled approximately $60 million in 
U.S. dollars in fiscal year 2011 and $36 million in fiscal year 2009. All of the contracts matured and were settled before the end
of  each  fiscal  year.    No  forward  contracts  were  entered  for  this  purpose  in  fiscal  year  2010.  To  further  mitigate  currency 
remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have obtained short-term local currency financing during certain 
periods.    This  strategy,  while  not  involving  the  use  of  derivative  instruments,  is  intended  to  minimize  the  subsidiary’s  net 
monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities and thus
hedging a portion of the overall position.  

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

66 

 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income 

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

statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009. 

(in thousands of dollars)

Fair Value  He dge s - Inte re st Rate  Swap Agre e me nts

Derivative

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings...................................................................................

$             

428

$         

(2,043)

$          

8,366

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings................................................................

Interest expense

Hedged Item

Description of hedged item............................................................................................

Fixed rate long-term debt

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings ..................................................................................

$            

(428)

$          

2,043

$         

(8,366)

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings................................................................

Interest expense

Cash Flow He dge s - Forward Fore ign Curre ncy Exchange  Contracts

Derivative

Effective Portion of Hedge

Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss....................................

$          

2,476

$          

7,174

$       

(22,006)

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings......

$             

100

$       

(14,844)

$         

    —   

Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other

comprehensive loss into earnings...........................................................................

Cost of goods sold

Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings...............................................................................

$             

113

$          

1,442

$             

102

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings............................................................

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Hedged Item

Description of hedged item............................................................................................

 Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil

De rivative s Not De signate d as He dge s -
Forward Fore ign Curre ncy Exchange  Contracts

Contracts related to forecast processing costs and forecast purchases of tobacco, 

primarily in Brazil

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings...............................................................................

$          

1,972

$              

(26)

$          

1,583

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings............................................................

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Contracts related to net local currency monetary assets and liabilities of subsidiary in Brazil

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings...............................................................................

$             

661

$         

    —   

$            

(355)

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings............................................................

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Contracts related to fixed-price orders and accounts receivable of non-U.S. dollar subsidiaries

Gain (loss) recognized in earnings...............................................................................

$              

(39)

$          

1,301

$         

(2,613)

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings............................................................

 Selling, general and administrative expenses

T otal gain (loss) recognized in earnings for forward foreign

 currency exchange contracts not designated as hedges...........................................

$          

2,594

$          

1,275

$         

(1,385)

For the interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges, since the hedges have no ineffectiveness, the gain 

or loss recognized in earnings on the derivative is offset by a corresponding loss or gain on the underlying hedged debt. 

67 

 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil, a 
gain of approximately $2.4 million related to the 2010-2011 crop purchases is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss 
at March 31, 2011.  Assuming continued hedge effectiveness, changes in the fair value of all outstanding and new contracts will
increase  or  decrease  the  amount  recorded  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss.    Those  amounts  are  expected  to  be 
recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold in fiscal year 2012 when the related tobacco is expected to be sold
to customers.  Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change 
in the direct cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer.  Generally,
margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected. 

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

The  table  below  outlines  the  effects  of  the  Company’s  derivative  financial  instruments  on  the  consolidated  balance 

sheets at March 31, 2011 and 2010: 

De rivative s in a Fair Value  Asset Position

Derivative s in a Fair Value  Liability Position

(in thousands of dollars)

De rivative s De signate d
as He dging Instrume nts

Interest rate swap agreements

Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts

Balance 
She e t 
Location

Other
non-current
assets

Other
current
assets

Fair Value  as of March 31,

2011

2010

Balance 
She e t 
Location

Long-term
obligations

Fair Value  as of March 31,

2011

2010

$        

10,193

$        

10,358

$         

    —   

$             

593

Accounts
payable and
accrued
expenses

2,400

84

    —   

73

T otal

$        

12,593

$        

10,442

$         

    —   

$             

666

De rivative s Not De signate d
as He dging Instrume nts

Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts

T otal

Other
current
assets

Accounts
payable and
accrued
expenses

$          

1,222

$             

740

$          

1,222

$             

740

$             

243

$             

512

$             

243

$             

512

68 

 
            
                 
           
                 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 10.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS 

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

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

Level

1

2

3

Description

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

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

   unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 

In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. 

69 

 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

At March 31, 2011, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured 
and reported at fair value on a recurring basis.  These assets and liabilities are listed in the table below and are classified based on 
how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy: 

Le ve l 1

Le ve l 2

Le ve l 3

Total

March 31, 2011

Assets:

Money market funds..............................................................................  

$      

108,832

$         

    —   

$         

    —   

$      

108,832

T rading securities associated with deferred compensation plans..............

Interest rate swaps.................................................................................

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts........................................

20,899

    —   

    —   

    —   

10,193

3,622

    —   

    —   

    —   

20,899

10,193

3,622

T otal assets........................................................................................

$      

129,731

$        

13,815

$         

    —   

$      

143,546

Liabilities:

Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers.........................................

$         

    —   

$         

    —   

$        

20,699

$        

20,699

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts........................................

    —   

243

    —   

243

T otal liabilities...................................................................................

$         

    —   

$             

243

$        

20,699

$        

20,942

Money market funds 

The  fair  value  of  money  market  funds,  which  are  reported  in  cash  and  cash  equivalents  in  the  consolidated  balance 
sheets, is based on quoted market prices (Level 1).  The fair values of these investments approximate cost due to the short-term
maturities and the high credit quality of the issuers of the underlying securities.   

Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans 

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

Interest rate swaps 

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

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts 

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

70 

          
           
           
          
           
          
           
          
           
            
           
            
 
 
 
           
               
           
               
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers 

The  fair  values  of  the  Company’s  guarantees  of  bank  loans  to  tobacco  growers  are  determined  by  using  internally 
tracked  historical  loss  data  for  such  loans  to  develop  an  estimate  of  future  losses  under  the  guarantees  outstanding  at  the 
measurement  date.    The  present  value  of  the  cash  flows  associated  with  those  estimated  losses  is  then  calculated  at  a  risk-
adjusted interest rate.  This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.”  Although historical
loss data is an observable input, significant judgment is required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans 
outstanding  at  each  measurement  date  and  in  selecting  a  risk-adjusted  interest  rate.   The  guarantees  of  bank  loans  to  tobacco 
growers are therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. 

A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers 

(Level 3) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, is as follows: 

Balance at April 1, 2010..................................................................................................................................................................

$        

25,997

T ransfer to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from portfolio and addition of
  current crop year loans).................................................................................................................................................................

T ransfer of guarantees to assignee of farmer contracts (see Note 14)..............................................................................................

Change in discount rate and estimated collection period...................................................................................................................

Currency remeasurement.................................................................................................................................................................

(7,165)

(1,110)

1,389

1,588

Balance at March 31, 2011..............................................................................................................................................................

$        

20,699

Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not 

required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.   

71 

           
           
            
            
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 11.   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 who have attained specific age
and service levels. The health benefits are funded by the Company as the costs of those benefits are incurred. The plan design 
includes  cost-sharing  features  such  as  deductibles  and  coinsurance.  The  life  insurance  benefits  are  funded  with  deposits  to  a 
reserve  account  held  by  an  insurance  company.  The  Company  has  the  right  to  amend  or  discontinue  its  pension  and  other 
postretirement benefit plans at any time. 

Effective March 31, 2009, the Company adopted the measurement timing provisions of SFAS 158 (now part of Topic 
715 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification), which require that the funded status of defined benefit plans be measured 
as of the balance sheet date.  Previously, companies were allowed to measure funded status up to three months before the balance
sheet date.  As a result of adopting the new measurement timing provisions, the Company changed its annual measurement date 
from  December  31  to  March  31.    As  required  by  the  guidance,  the  benefit  expense  related  to  the  intervening  three-month 
transition period, which totaled $2.3 million before income taxes and $1.5 million after tax, was recorded as a direct adjustment
to retained earnings. 

In the following disclosures, the term "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.    "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. 

Actuarial Assumptions 

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

follows: 

Discount rates:

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

2011

2010

2009

2011

2010

2009

Benefit cost for plan year.................................

Benefit obligation at end of plan year...............

Expected long-term return on plan assets:

Benefit cost for plan year.................................

Benefit obligation at end of plan year...............

Salary scale..........................................................

Healthcare cost trend rate....................................

6.00%   

5.50%   

8.00%   

8.00%

5.00%   

N/A   

7.75%   

6.00%   

7.75%   

8.00%

5.00%   

N/A   

6.00%

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

5.00%

N/A

6.00%   

5.50%   

4.30%   

4.30%

5.00%   

8.00%   

7.75%   

6.00%   

4.30%   

4.30%

5.00%   

8.30%   

6.00%

7.75%

4.30%

4.30%

5.00%

8.50%

The discount rate used to calculate the benefit obligation at March 31, 2009, reflected market volatility and a temporary 
expansion of credit spreads on corporate bonds that returned to more normal levels after that measurement date. The increase in
the expected long-term return on plan assets at March 31, 2010, reflected changes made to the Company’s investment allocation 
during fiscal year 2010. The healthcare cost trend rate used by the Company is based on a recent study of medical cost inflation
rates.  The revised trend assumption of 8.00% in 2011 declines gradually to 4.50% in 2028.   

72 

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2011 and 2010, and the funded status 

of the plans at March 31, 2011 and 2010: 

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

March 31,

March 31,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Actuarial pre se nt value  of be ne fit obligation:

Accumulated benefit obligation..............................................................

$      

236,701

$      

213,646

$         

    —   

$         

    —   

Projected benefit obligation...................................................................

262,085

243,760

43,888

43,429

Change  in proje cte d be ne fit obligation:

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year .....................................

$      

243,760

$      

199,907

$        

43,429

$        

38,420

Service cost...........................................................................................

Interest cost .........................................................................................

Effect of discount rate change...............................................................

Foreign currency exchange rate changes................................................

Curtailment...........................................................................................

Settlements............................................................................................  

Other.....................................................................................................  

4,835

14,168

15,174

1,626

966

(8,483)

5,411

3,815

14,899

48,324

2,983

    —   

(2,498)

(6,718)

787

2,534

2,245

    —   

    —   

    —   

(1,222)

581

2,789

7,870

    —   

    —   

    —   

(2,271)

Benefit payments..................................................................................
Projected benefit obligation, end of year................................................  

(15,372)
262,085

$      

(16,952)
243,760

$      

(3,885)
43,888

$        

(3,960)
43,429

$        

Change  in plan asse ts:

Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year ............................................

$      

182,792

$      

132,080

$          

3,499

$          

3,687

Actual return on plan assets...................................................................

Employer contributions.........................................................................
Settlements............................................................................................  

Foreign currency exchange rate changes................................................

26,077

9,211
(8,483)

1,490

47,553

20,674
(2,498)

1,935

Benefit payments..................................................................................

(15,372)

(16,952)

238

3,432
    —   

    —   

(3,885)

197

3,575
    —   

    —   

(3,960)

Plan assets at fair value, end of year......................................................

$      

195,715

$      

182,792

$          

3,284

$          

3,499

Funde d status:

Funded status of the plans, end of year...................................................  

$       

(66,370)

$       

(60,968)

$       

(40,604)

$       

(39,930)

73 

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
        
  
        
  
          
          
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
            
  
            
  
               
               
 
          
  
          
  
            
            
 
          
  
          
  
            
            
 
            
  
            
  
           
           
               
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
            
  
           
  
           
           
 
         
  
         
  
           
           
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
          
  
          
  
               
               
 
            
  
          
  
            
            
           
           
           
           
 
            
            
           
           
 
         
  
         
  
           
           
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

The funded status of the Company’s plans at the end of fiscal years 2011 and 2010 was reported in the consolidated 

balance sheets as follows: 

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

March 31,

March 31,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Non-current asset (reported in other noncurrent assets)..............................

$          

1,493

$          

1,444

$        

    —   

$        

    —   

Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)..........
Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement 

(2,098)

(2,023)

(3,511)

(3,431)

   benefits) ..................................................................................................

(65,765)

(60,389)

(37,093)

(36,499)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets...............................

$      

(66,370)

$      

(60,968)

$      

(40,604)

$      

(39,930)

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

fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, is as follows: 

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

March 31,

March 31,

2011

2010

2011

2010

For plans with a proje cte d be ne fit obligation in e xce ss 
 of plan asse ts:

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

$      

257,240
189,378

$      

240,741
178,329

$        

43,889
3,284

$        

43,429
3,499

For plans with an accumulate d be ne fit obligation 
 in e xce ss of plan asse ts:

Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation.................................................  

Aggregate fair value of plan assets...........................................................

232,342

189,378

207,507

174,192

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

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

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

2011

2010

2009

2011

2010

2009

Compone nts of ne t pe riodic 
 be ne fit cost:

Service cost.....................................

$          

4,835

$          

3,815

$          

4,724

$             

787

$             

581

$             

787

Interest cost....................................

Expected return on plan assets........

Curtailment loss..............................

Settlement cost...............................

Net amortization and deferral..........  

14,168

(14,938)

966

3,119

3,937

14,899

(13,687)   

    —   

4,640

1,387

13,594

(13,380)

800

5,449

2,245

2,534

(144)

    —   

    —   

(253)

2,789   

(152)   

    —   

    —   

(1,083)   

2,790

(157)

    —   

    —   

(48)

Net periodic benefit cost.................

$        

12,087

$        

11,054

$        

13,432

$          

2,924

$          

2,135

$          

3,372

A  one-percentage-point  increase  in  the  assumed  healthcare  cost  trend  rate  would  increase  the  March  31,  2011, 
accumulated  postretirement  benefit  obligation  by  approximately  $1.4  million,  while  a  one-percentage-point  decrease  would 
reduce the accumulated benefit obligation by approximately $1.2 million.  The aggregate service and interest cost components of
the net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal year 2012 would not change by a significant amount as a result of a 
one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate.    

74 

  
  
 
          
  
          
  
          
          
        
        
        
        
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
        
        
            
            
        
        
 
        
        
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
          
  
          
  
          
            
  
 
        
  
             
  
 
               
          
               
          
          
          
 
            
            
            
          
          
          
            
  
            
  
            
             
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 

The  amounts  recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income  or  loss  for  fiscal  years  2011  and  2010  and  the  amounts 
included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the end of those fiscal years are shown below.  Reclassification adjustments
represent amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the beginning of the year that were recognized in net 
periodic benefit cost during the year.  All amounts shown are before allocated income taxes. 

Pe nsion Be ne fits

O the r Postre tire me nt Be ne fits

March 31,

March 31,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Change  in ne t actuarial loss (gain):

Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year............................................
Losses (gains) arising during the year.....................................................

$        

73,301
5,996

$        

70,912
3,890

$         

(7,452)
478

$       

(13,665)
5,169

Reclassification adjustments during the year..........................................

Net actuarial loss, end of year................................................................  

(4,159)

75,138

(1,501)

73,301

252

(6,722)

1,044

(7,452)

Change  in prior se rvice  cost (be ne fit):

Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year ......................................
Reclassification adjustments during the year..........................................

Prior service cost (benefit), end of year.................................................  

(3,145)
(248)

(3,393)

(3,400)
255

(3,145)

    —   
    —   

    —   

(38)
38

    —   

T otal amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end 

of year, before income taxes.................................................................

$        

71,745

$        

70,156

$         

(6,722)

$         

(7,452)

Amounts  in  the  above  table  reflect  the  Company  and  its  consolidated  subsidiaries.    The  accumulated  other 
comprehensive  loss  reported  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  also  includes  pension  and  other  postretirement  benefit 
adjustments related to ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates.  The Company expects to recognize approximately $5.9 
million  of  the  March  31,  2011  net  actuarial  loss  and  $0.3  million  of  the  March  31,  2011  prior  service  benefit  in  net  periodic 
benefit cost during fiscal year 2012. 

75 

  
  
 
  
  
 
            
            
               
            
 
           
           
               
            
          
          
           
           
 
           
  
           
  
           
                
 
              
               
           
                 
           
           
           
           
 
  
  
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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. ERISA-regulated defined benefit pension plans, which represents 91% of total plan assets and 81% of total 
PBO.  The Committee has established, and periodically adjusts, 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.  

The Committee, with the help of a consultant, reviews the expected long-term returns of the asset allocation each year to 
help  determine  whether  changes  are  needed.  The  return  is  evaluated  on  a  weighted  average  basis  in  relation  to  inflation.  The 
assumed long-term rate of return used to calculate annual benefit expense is based on the asset allocation and expected market 
returns for those asset classes.  

The weighted–average target pension asset allocation and target ranges at the March 31, 2011, measurement date and 
the  actual  asset  allocations  at  the  March  31,  2011  and  March  31,  2010,  measurement  dates  by  major  asset  category  were  as 
follows: 

Major Asse t Cate gory

Allocation

Range

2011

2010

Targe t

Actual Allocation

March 31, 

Domestic equity securities......................................................................  

44.0%   

37% - 51%   

International equity securities................................................................

13.0%   

10% - 16%   

Fixed income securities (1)....................................................................

33.0%   

26% - 40%   

Alternative investments:

   Real estate funds.................................................................................

   Hedge funds........................................................................................

5.0%

5.0%

3% - 7%

3% - 7%

T otal...............................................................................................

100.0%

45.6%   

13.6%   

31.2%   

4.7%

4.9%

100.0%

53.7%

14.5%

31.8%

    —   

    —   

100.0%

(cid:3)

(1) Actual amounts include high yield securities and 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.    There  is  no  allocation  to  Universal  Corporation  equity.  One  fixed 
income manager must invest in U.S. dollar-denominated bonds, excluding U.S. Treasury 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. The other fixed income manager invests in high yield bonds for which credit ratings 
are  lower.    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- year periods. For commingled funds, the Committee reviews the 
fund manager’s policies to ensure that they are consistent with fund guidelines or otherwise appropriate for the asset class. 

Universal makes regular contributions to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  As previously noted, for 
postretirement  health  benefits,  contributions  reflect  funding  of  those  benefits  as  they  are  incurred.  The  Company  provided 
additional contributions to its U.S. pension plans in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. With the regular and additional contributions and 
an increase in plan asset values during fiscal years 2010 and 2011, the Company believes that it is in full compliance with all
funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.  The Company expects to make contributions of approximately $9.6 
million to its pension plans in fiscal year 2012. 

76 

  
  
 
 
           
           
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

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

Fiscal Ye ar: 

Pe nsion
Be ne fits

O the r
Postre tire me nt
Bene fits

2012......................................................................................................................................................
2013......................................................................................................................................................

$             

20,838
14,784

$               

3,511
3,597

2014......................................................................................................................................................

2015......................................................................................................................................................

2016......................................................................................................................................................

2017 - 2021...........................................................................................................................................

15,446

16,201

14,853

99,558

3,584

3,533

3,468

17,030

Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets 

Assets  held  by  the  Company’s  defined  benefit  pension  plans  primarily  consist  of  domestic  and  international  equity 
securities,  fixed  income  securities,  and  alternative  investments.  Domestic  and  international  equities  include  common  stock,  as 
well as commingled funds and common collective trusts. The methodologies for determining the fair values of the plan assets are
outlined below.  Where the values are based on quoted prices for the securities in an active market, they are classified as Level 1 
of the fair value hierarchy. Where secondary pricing sources are used, they are classified as Level 2 of the hierarchy.  Pricing
models that use significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3. 

(cid:120) Domestic and international equity securities: 

Common stock:  Shares of common stock are valued at the unadjusted official closing price as defined by the most 
active market, or at the most recent trade price of the security at the close of the active market.  Secondary pricing 
sources are used when one of these primary sources is not available. Instances requiring secondary pricing sources 
are reviewed for evidence of inactive, delisted, bankrupt, or suspended equities. 

Commingled funds and common collective trusts:  These assets are valued at the net asset value of shares held at the 
valuation date, based on the quoted market prices of the underlying assets of the funds or trusts.  The investments are 
valued using the Net Asset Value of the fund or trust as a practical expedient for fair market value. These investment 
vehicles hold equity securities and cash.   

(cid:120)

Fixed income securities: Some fixed income investments are held through mutual funds for which an active market 
is available (Level 1). Other fixed income investments are valued at an estimated price that a dealer would pay for a 
similar security on the valuation date using observable market inputs (Level 2).  These measures may include yield 
curves  for  similarly  rated  securities.    Small  amounts  of  cash  are  held  in  common  collective  trusts.    Fixed  income 
securities include insurance assets, which are valued based on an actuarial calculation (Level 3). 

(cid:120) Alternative investments:  Real estate assets are valued using valuation models that incorporate income and market 
approaches, including external appraisals, to derive fair values.  The hedge fund allocation is a fund of hedge funds 
and is valued by the manager based on the net asset value of each fund.  These models use significant unobservable 
inputs and are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. 

77 

 
  
 
               
                 
 
               
                 
 
               
                 
 
               
                 
 
               
               
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Fair values of the assets of the Company’s pension plans as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, classified based on how their 

values were determined under the fair value hierarchy are as follows: 

Le ve l 1

Le ve l 2

Le ve l 3

Total

March 31, 2011

Domestic equity securities......................................................

$             

27,300

$             

52,768

$             

    —   

$             

80,068

International equity securities................................................

Fixed income securities (1).....................................................  

Alternative investments:

Real estate fund...................................................................

Hedge fund..........................................................................

23,925

16,974

    —   

    —   

    —   

52,425

    —   

    —   

    —   

5,362

8,338

8,623

23,925

74,761

8,338

8,623

T otal investments............................................................

$             

68,199

$           

105,193

$             

22,323

$           

195,715

Le ve l 1

Le ve l 2

Le ve l 3

Total

March 31, 2010

Domestic equity securities......................................................

$             

29,368

$             

57,647

$             

    —   

$             

87,015

International equity securities................................................

Fixed income securities (1).....................................................  

23,452

13,410

14,748

44,167

    —   

    —   

38,200

57,577

T otal investments...............................................................

$             

66,230

$           

116,562

$             

    —   

$           

182,792

(1) Includes high yield securities and cash and cash equivalent balances.

The Company added a real estate fund investment and a hedge fund investment during fiscal year 2011. 

Other Benefit Plans 

Universal and several U.S. subsidiaries offer an employer-matched defined contribution savings plan.  Amounts charged 
to  expense  for  these  plans  were  approximately  $1.3  million  for  fiscal  year  2011,  $1.4  million  for  fiscal  year  2010,  and  $1.4 
million for fiscal year 2009. 

78 

 
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                 
               
                
               
                 
                 
                
               
                 
                 
 
  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 12.   COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK  

Common Stock 

At  March  31,  2011,  the  Company’s  shareholders  had  authorized  100,000,000  shares  of  its  common  stock,  and 
23,240,503 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  of  Directors  customarily  declares  and  pays  regular  quarterly  dividends  on  the 
outstanding common shares; however, such dividends are at the Board of Director’s full discretion, and there is no obligation to
continue them.  If dividends on the Company’s Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or 
“Preferred Shares”) are not declared and paid for any dividend period, then the Company may not pay dividends on the common 
stock or repurchase common shares until the dividends on the Preferred Stock have been paid for a period of four consecutive 
quarters. 

Universal’s Board of Directors has authorized programs to repurchase outstanding shares of the Company’s common 
stock. Under these programs, the Company has made and may continue to make share repurchases from time to time in the open 
market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. The current program was approved
in November 2009 and authorizes the repurchase of up to $150 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. It expires 
in November 2011. 

Total share repurchases for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were as follows: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Number of shares repurchased..................................................................................

1,113,125

743,876

2,227,700

Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars).................................................

$             

46,696

$             

32,942

$           

110,482

Weighted-average cost per share..............................................................................

$               

41.95

$               

44.28

$               

49.59

Under the current share repurchase program, through March 31, 2011, the Company has repurchased 1,509,510 shares 
of common stock at a total cost of approximately $66.5 million (weighted-average cost of $44.05 per share). At March 31, 2011, 
approximately $83.5 million of authorization remains available under the program for future share repurchase. 

Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock 

The Company is also authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.  In 2006, 220,000 shares of Series B 
6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or “Preferred Shares”) were issued under this authorization.
At March 31, 2011, 219,999 shares were issued and outstanding.  The Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per 
share.    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 of Directors does not declare a dividend for one or more quarterly periods.  Under the terms of the Preferred Stock, the 
Board of Directors 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  of  Directors  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  any  time  at  the  option  of  the  holder,  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,  2011,  was  21.6267  shares  of  common  stock  per  preferred  share,  which  represents  a 
conversion price of approximately $46.24 per common share.  Upon conversion, the Company may, at its option, satisfy all or 
part of the conversion value in cash.   

79 

 
          
             
  
          
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

During the period from March 15, 2013 to March 15, 2018, the Company may, at its option, cause the Preferred Shares 
to be automatically converted into shares of common stock that are issuable at the prevailing conversion rate, only if the closing
price  of  the  common  stock  during  a  specified  period  exceeds  135%  of  the  then  prevailing  conversion  price.    With  this 
conversion, the Company may, at its option, in lieu of delivering shares 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. 

NOTE 13.   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”),
performance  share  awards  (“PSAs”),  stock  appreciation  rights  (“SARs”),  incentive  stock  options,  and  non-qualified  stock 
options.  Currently, grants are outstanding under the 1997 Executive Stock Plan, the 2002 Executive Stock Plan, and the 2007 
Stock  Incentive  Plan.    Together,  these  plans  are  referred  to  in  this  disclosure  as  the  “Plans.”    Up  to  2  million  shares  of  the 
Company’s common stock may be issued under each of the Plans; however, direct awards of common stock, restricted stock, or 
RSUs under both the 2002 Executive Stock Plan and the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan are limited to 500,000 shares.  

The  Company’s  practice  is  to  award  grants  of  stock-based  compensation  to  officers  at  the  first  regularly-scheduled 
meeting  of  the  Executive  Compensation,  Nominating,  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  (the 
“Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior year.
Since fiscal year 2006, grants have included restricted stock, RSUs, PSAs, and stock-settled SARs.  Prior to 2006, non-qualified
stock options were the primary form of stock-based compensation awarded, and some of those options remained outstanding at 
March 31, 2011.  Outside directors automatically receive restricted stock units or shares of restricted stock following each annual 
meeting of shareholders.   

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, except that SARs granted after fiscal year 2007 
expire on the earlier of three years after the grantee’s retirement date or 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 PSAs vest three years from the grant date, are paid out in shares of common stock at the vesting date, and do not 
carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting.  Shares ultimately paid out under PSA grants are dependent on
the achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from zero 
to 150% of the stated award.  RSUs awarded to outside directors vest three years after the grant date, and restricted shares vest
upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director. 

80 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Stock Options and SARs 

The following tables summarize the Company’s stock option and SAR activity and related information for fiscal years 

2009 through 2011: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2009: 
Outstanding at beginning of year..............................................................

Granted ...................................................................................................

Exercised..................................................................................................

Outstanding at end of year........................................................................

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2010: 

Granted....................................................................................................

Exercised..................................................................................................   
Cancelled/expired.....................................................................................

Outstanding at end of year........................................................................

Share s

597,890

132,000

(10,333)

719,557

253,800

(132,892)
(8,667)

831,798

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2011: 

Granted....................................................................................................

Cancelled/expired.....................................................................................

153,600

(62,800)

We ighte d-
Ave rage
Exe rcise
Price

We ighte d-
Ave rage  
Contractual 
Te rm 
(in ye ars)

Aggre gate
Intrinsic
Value

$          

49.97

51.32

36.14

50.41

35.30

36.09
24.69

48.36

39.71

62.66

Outstanding at end of year........................................................................  

922,598

$          

45.94

6.89

$          

3,159

Exercisable at end of year.........................................................................

554,265

$          

50.72

Expected to vest in future periods............................................................

368,333

$          

38.76

5.82

8.49

$          

1,109

$          

2,050

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

T otal intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised.....................................................

$         

    —   

$          

2,238

$             

143

T otal fair value of SARs vested.............................................................................................

$          

1,849

$          

1,611

$          

2,283

Intrinsic value and aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above are based on the difference between the market price of 
the underlying shares at the exercise date or balance sheet date, as applicable, and the exercise prices of the stock options and 
SARs.  The closing market prices used to determine the aggregate intrinsic value at the end of each fiscal year were as follows:
$43.54 at March 31, 2011, $52.69 at March 31, 2010, and $29.92 at March 31, 2009.   

81 

  
  
        
        
            
         
            
        
            
  
  
  
        
            
       
            
           
            
        
            
  
        
            
         
            
        
              
        
              
 
        
              
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

RSUs, Restricted Stock, and PSAs

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU, restricted stock, and PSA activity for fiscal years 2009 through 

2011:  

RSUs

Re stricte d Stock

PSAs

We ighte d-
Ave rage
Grant Date
Fair Value

Share s

Share s

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2009: 

Unvested at beginning of year..................  

137,777

$         

49.48

Granted....................................................  

Vested......................................................  
Forfeited..................................................

Unvested at end of year...........................

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2010: 

Granted....................................................  

Vested......................................................  

Forfeited..................................................

Unvested at end of year...........................

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2011: 

44,590

(32,203)
(1,034)

149,130

73,589

(14,955)

    —   

207,764

50.28

48.93
48.26

49.84

35.93

47.21

    —   

32.50

60,400

14,500

    —   
    —   

74,900

17,550

(7,700)

    —   

84,750

Granted....................................................  

Vested......................................................  

63,992

(24,940)

41.40

46.35

    —   

(7,000)

We ighte d-
Ave rage
Grant Date
Fair Value

$         

39.41

48.01

    —   
    —   

41.08

39.76

40.41

    —   

40.87

    —   

41.96

We ighte d-
Ave rage
Grant Date
Fair Value

$        

    —   

45.96

    —   
45.96

45.96

29.67

    —   

45.96

34.85

33.95

    —   

Share s

    —   

31,600

    —   
(1,134)

30,466

63,450

    —   

(897)

93,019

38,400

    —   

Unvested at end of year...........................

246,816

$         

44.07

77,750

$         

40.77

131,419

$         

34.59

Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

Determination of the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock-Based Compensation 

As noted above, the Company granted SARs, RSUs, restricted stock, and PSAs during fiscal years 2009 through 2011.  
The fair value of the RSUs, restricted stock, and PSAs was based on the market price of the common stock on the grant date.  
The fair values of the SARs were estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

Assumptions:

    Expected term......................................................................................................................

5.0 years

5.0 years

5.0 years

    Expected volatility...............................................................................................................

    Expected dividend yield........................................................................................................
    Risk-free interest rate...........................................................................................................

35.3%

4.73%
2.36%

39.0%

5.21%
2.51%

31.3%

3.50%
3.32%

Resulting fair value of SARs granted..........................................................................................  

$           

8.35

$           

7.85

$         

11.65

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.  Since all
SAR grants were  awarded  on  the  same  date  in  each of  the  three fiscal years  2009  through 2011,  the  fair values  shown  in  the 
above table represent the weighted-average grant date fair values for those years.   

82 

      
        
         
        
           
  
        
           
        
           
       
           
         
  
         
  
          
         
           
         
          
         
           
 
      
  
           
  
        
  
           
        
  
           
        
           
  
        
           
        
           
       
           
         
           
         
          
         
  
          
  
         
  
          
            
  
           
 
      
  
           
  
        
  
           
        
  
           
        
           
  
         
          
        
           
       
           
         
           
         
          
 
      
  
  
        
  
      
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, total stock-based compensation expense and the related 
income tax benefit recognized were as follows: 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

T otal stock-based compensation expense..............................................................................

$          

5,893

$          

6,133

$          

4,870

Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense.......................................  

$          

2,063

$          

2,147

$          

1,704

At  March  31,  2011,  the  Company  had  $5.3  million  of  unrecognized  compensation  expense  related  to  stock-based 
awards, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.1 years.  Cash proceeds from the exercise 
of stock options were not material for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, or 2009. 

NOTE 14.   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 a small number of 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, 2011, the Company had contracts to purchase approximately 
$650  million  of  tobacco,  $560  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 and other market factors.  Tobacco purchase obligations have been partially funded by advances to farmers and
other suppliers, which totaled approximately $160 million at March 31, 2011.  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 the farmers.  As discussed in 
more detail below, the Company also has arrangements to guarantee bank loans to farmers, primarily in Brazil, and payments are 
also withheld on delivery of tobacco to satisfy repayment of those loans.  In addition to its contractual obligations to purchase
tobacco,  the  Company  has  commitments  related  to  agricultural  materials,  approved  capital  expenditures,  and  various  other 
requirements that approximated $55 million at March 31, 2011. 

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, 2011, the Company’s 
total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary in Brazil for banking facilities of farmers in that country was 
approximately  $52  million,  ($73  million  including  unpaid  accrued  interest,  less  $21  million  recorded  for  the  fair  value  of  the 
guarantees).  About 92% of these guarantees expire within one year, and all of the remainder expire within five years.  As noted
above, 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 guarantees; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have 
recourse  against  the  farmers.    The  maximum  potential  amount  of  future  payments  that  the  Company’s  subsidiary  could  be 
required  to  make  at  March  31,  2011,  was  the  face  amount,  $73  million  including  unpaid  accrued  interest  ($112  million  as  of 
March  31,  2010).    The  fair  value  of  the  guarantees  was  a  liability  of  approximately  $21  million  at  March  31,  2011,  and  $26 
million at March 31, 2010.  In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately
$54 million, primarily related to a bank guarantee that bonds an appeal of a 2006 fine in the European Union (see Note 3).   

83 

 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Major Customers 

A material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a few customers. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 
2011, 2010 and 2009, revenue from Philip Morris International, Inc. was approximately $750 million, $700 million, and $700 
million,  respectively.    For  the  same  periods,  Japan  Tobacco,  Inc.  accounted  for  revenue  of  approximately  $340  million,  $575 
million,  and  $550  million,  respectively,  and  Imperial  Tobacco  Group,  PLC  accounted  for  revenue  of  approximately  $320 
million,  $250  million,  and  $280  million,  respectively.  These  customers  primarily  do  business  with  various  affiliates  in  the 
Company’s flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations.  The loss of, or substantial reduction in business from, any of these 
customers would have a material adverse effect on the Company.   

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 historically such amounts have not been material. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $5.6 
million  and  $4.3  million  at  March  31,  2011  and  2010,  respectively.    At  March  31,  2011  and  2010,  accounts  receivable  by 
reportable operating segment were as follows: 

March 31, 

2011

2010

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:

North America................................................................................................................................................

$        

32,640

$        

39,820

Other Regions..................................................................................................................................................  

Subtotal........................................................................................................................................................

Other T obacco Operations.................................................................................................................................

269,613

302,253

33,322

188,014

227,834

39,126

Consolidated accounts receivable........................................................................................................................

$      

335,575

$      

266,960

Assignment of Farmer Contracts and Sale of Related Assets in Brazil 

In October 2010, Universal’s operating subsidiary in Brazil completed the assignment of tobacco production contracts 
with  approximately  8,100  farmers  to  Philip  Morris  Brasil  Industria  e  Comercio  (“PMB”),  a  subsidiary  of  Philip  Morris 
International  (“PMI”).    As  part  of  the  transaction,  PMB  acquired  various  related  assets,  including  seasonal  crop  advances 
outstanding  from  the  farmers,  and  hired  certain  employees  who  previously  worked  for  the  Company  in  agronomy  and  leaf 
procurement functions.  PMB also assumed the Company’s obligations under guarantees of bank loans to the farmers for crop 
financing.  The farmer contracts assigned represent approximately 20% of the annual volume handled by the Company in Brazil 
during the most recent crop year.  The Company has entered into an agreement to process tobaccos bought directly by PMB from 
farmers beginning with the 2011 crop year.  In addition, the Company expects to continue to sell processed leaf from Brazil to 
PMI  and  its  subsidiaries.  The  Company  received  total  cash  proceeds  of  approximately  $34.9  million  from  the  assignment  of 
farmer contracts and sale of related assets and recorded a gain of approximately $19.4 million, which is reported in other income 
in  the  consolidated  statement  of  income.    The  determination  of  the  gain  included  approximately  $5.8  million  of  goodwill 
associated with the activities conveyed. 

84 

 
  
        
  
        
 
        
  
        
 
          
  
          
 
  
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Statutory Severance and Pension Obligations in Malawi 

In  fiscal  year  2008,  the  Company’s  operating  subsidiary  in  Malawi  recorded  a  charge  to  accrue  statutory  severance 
obligations based on court rulings that found the severance benefits payable to employees upon retirement, death, involuntary 
termination, or termination by mutual agreement under the Malawi Employment Act of 2000, even in cases where employees are 
covered by a company-sponsored pension benefit.  Because the effect of the court rulings was to entitle some employees to both 
private  pension  benefits  and  statutory  severance  benefits  in  cases  of  normal  retirement,  some  of  the  rulings  were  appealed  to 
higher  courts.    In  April  2010,  the  Malawi  High  Court  ruled  that  the  statutory  severance  benefit  was  payable  only  upon 
involuntary termination, not upon normal retirement.   Although that decision has been further appealed to the Malawi Supreme 
Court,  the  Malawi  Parliament  has  since  passed  new  Employment  legislation  eliminating  the  requirement  to  pay  statutory 
severance benefits in cases of normal retirement, but establishing under separate but related Pension legislation a new pension
benefit requirement for employees who meet specified service criteria.  Both pieces of legislation, while passed, had not been 
formally enacted into law at March 31, 2011.  The Pension Act has since been enacted but still requires an implementation date.
For  a  significant  number  of  employees,  the  new  Pension  legislation  will  provide  a  pension  benefit  for  past  service  that  is 
expected to be the same as the accumulated statutory severance benefit at the date that new legislation is implemented.  At March
31, 2011, the Malawi subsidiary’s recorded obligation for statutory severance benefits was approximately $11 million. Upon full
implementation  of  both  pieces  of  legislation,  a  significant  portion  of  the  liability  for  severance  benefits  is  expected  to  be 
reversed,  but  a  liability  for  pension  benefits  would  be  recorded.    Based  upon  information  currently  available,  the  liability  for
pension benefits is not expected to differ materially from the liability currently recorded for severance benefits. 

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, 2011, 2010, and 2009, is as follows: 

Income Statement Information:

Sales................................................................................................................................

$      

317,248

$      

394,767

$      

398,196

Gross profit.....................................................................................................................
Net income attributable to Socotab L.L.C........................................................................  

51,540
8,114

84,645
29,244

84,318
33,033

Fiscal Ye ars Ende d March 31, 

2011

2010

2009

Balance Sheet Information:

Current assets..................................................................................................................

$      

293,909

$      

304,032

Property, plant and equipment and other assets...............................................................  
Current liabilities.............................................................................................................

Long-term obligations and other liabilities.......................................................................  

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries............................................................................

88,127
173,154

32,115

154

85,429
200,842

31,490

310

March 31,

2011

2010

85 

    
 
 
 
  
  
 
          
  
          
  
          
            
          
          
 
 
  
  
          
  
          
  
 
        
        
          
          
 
               
               
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 15.   OPERATING SEGMENTS 

Universal’s 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 Company’s performance is by geographic region, although 
the  dark  air-cured  and  oriental  tobacco  businesses  are  each  evaluated  on  the  basis  of  their  worldwide  operations.    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 
planned to be purchased and/or processed.  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. 

86 

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Reportable segment data as of or for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, is as follows: 

Sale s and O the r O pe rating Re ve nue s

O pe rating Income

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

2011

2010

2009

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:  

North America...........................................

$    

340,366

$    

357,195

$    

416,899

$      

59,278

$      

57,006

$      

48,010

Other Regions (1).......................................

Subtotal...................................................

1,944,410

2,284,776

Other T obacco Operations (2).......................  

286,751

1,895,829

2,253,024

238,714

1,848,430

2,265,329

289,330

Segment total................................................

2,571,527

2,491,738

2,554,659

169,989

229,267

28,658

257,925

182,513

239,519

40,066

279,585

140,476

188,486

41,989

230,475

Deduct:

Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated 

 affiliates (3)............................................  

Restructuring and impairment costs (4).......  

Add:

Other income (4) .......................................  
Reversal of European Commission fines (4) 

(8,634)

(21,504)

(22,376)

    —   

(20,543)

    —   

19,368

7,445

    —   

    —   

Consolidated total..........................................  

$ 

2,571,527

$ 

2,491,738

$ 

2,554,659

$    

254,600

$    

257,209

$    

209,932

Se gme nt Asse ts

March 31,

2010

2011

2009

2011

Goodwill

March 31,

2010

2009

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:  

North America...........................................

$    

289,950

$    

362,008

$    

295,908

$      

    —   

$      

    —   

$      

    —   

Other Regions (1).......................................

Subtotal...................................................

1,612,558

1,902,508

Other T obacco Operations (2).......................  

325,359

1,649,349

2,011,357

359,683

1,535,736

1,831,644

306,532

96,543

96,543

1,713

102,224

102,224

1,713

102,462

102,462

1,713

Segment and consolidated totals.....................  

$ 

2,227,867

$ 

2,371,040

$ 

2,138,176

$      

98,256

$    

103,937

$    

104,175

De pre ciation and Amortiz ation 

Capital Expe nditure s 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011

2010

2009

2011

2010

2009

Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:  

North America...........................................

$      

11,866

$      

11,953

$      

10,926

$        

3,080

$      

12,105

$        

3,215

Other Regions (1).......................................

Subtotal...................................................

Other T obacco Operations (2).......................  

28,541

40,407

4,865

26,710

38,663

4,833

27,866

38,792

2,998

34,324

37,404

1,725

31,283

43,388

14,189

25,595

28,810

6,846

Segment and consolidated totals.....................  

$      

45,272

$      

43,496

$      

41,790

$      

39,129

$      

57,577

$      

35,656

(1)  Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations. 
(2)  Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental and Special Services, 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 $110.8 million, $101.4 million, and $98.8 million, at March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, 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. 

87 

  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
      
  
      
 
      
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
      
  
      
 
      
      
 
      
 
      
 
        
  
        
 
        
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
      
  
      
 
      
 
         
       
       
       
        
        
        
        
        
          
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
   
 
   
 
   
  
        
  
      
 
      
 
   
 
   
 
   
  
        
  
      
 
      
      
      
      
          
          
          
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
        
 
        
 
        
 
        
  
        
 
        
 
        
 
        
 
        
 
        
  
        
 
        
          
 
          
 
          
 
          
  
        
 
          
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Geographic  data  as  of, or for,  the fiscal  years  ended  March 31,  2011, 2010,  and 2009, 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. 

Ge ographic Data 

United States.........................................................................................................................

Belgium.................................................................................................................................

Germany...............................................................................................................................

Sale s and O the r O pe rating Re ve nue s

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

2011
340,313

$      

2010
305,390

$      

2009
370,182

$      

345,774

267,087

469,067

199,768

527,807

187,957

All other countries................................................................................................................

1,618,353

1,517,513

1,468,713

Consolidated total.................................................................................................................

$   

2,571,527

$   

2,491,738

$   

2,554,659

United States.........................................................................................................................

$        

91,760

2011

2010
103,548

$      

2009

$        

96,667

Brazil....................................................................................................................................

Mozambique..........................................................................................................................

All other countries................................................................................................................

141,535

53,854

129,100

156,961

50,045

126,071

158,591

48,679

115,067

Consolidated total.................................................................................................................

$      

416,249

$      

436,625

$      

419,004

Long-Live d Asse ts

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31,

88 

 
 
        
        
        
        
        
        
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
        
        
        
 
          
          
          
 
        
        
        
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

NOTE 16.   UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

Unaudited quarterly financial data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, is provided in the table below.  
Due  to  the  seasonal  nature  of  the  Company's  business,  management  believes  it  is  generally  more  meaningful  to  focus  on 
cumulative rather than quarterly results. 

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2011
Sales and other operating revenues............................................................  
Gross profit..............................................................................................
Net income...............................................................................................  
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation....................................
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders 

  after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock.........................
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation 
  common shareholders:

Basic......................................................................................................  
Diluted...................................................................................................  

Cash dividends declared per share of convertible perpetual 

  preferred stock.......................................................................................
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock..................................  
Market price range of common stock: 

High......................................................................................................
Low.......................................................................................................

First
Q uarte r

Se cond
Q uarte r

Third
Q uarte r

Fourth
Q uarte r

$      

538,916
102,237
24,418
25,320

$      

664,188
133,274
53,783
51,831

$      

688,208
154,044
57,585
52,298

$      

680,215
118,778
28,764
27,116

21,608

48,118

48,586

23,403

0.89
0.87

16.88
0.47

55.92
38.38

2.00
1.78

16.87
0.47

44.82
35.44

2.05
1.82

16.88
0.48

43.34
37.05

1.00
0.95

16.87
0.48

43.72
37.74

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2010

Sales and other operating revenues............................................................  

$      

616,112

$      

647,918

$      

661,205

$      

566,503

Gross profit..............................................................................................

Net income...............................................................................................  

Net income attributable to Universal Corporation....................................
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders 

139,364

43,804

43,745

147,343

54,672

52,515

144,664

48,474

45,696

110,894

23,395

26,441

  after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock.........................

40,033

48,802

41,984

22,728

Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation 
  common shareholders:

Basic......................................................................................................  

Diluted...................................................................................................  

Cash dividends declared per share of convertible perpetual 

  preferred stock.......................................................................................

Cash dividends declared per share of common stock..................................  

Market price range of common stock: 

High......................................................................................................

Low.......................................................................................................

1.60

1.47

16.88

0.46

38.29

29.27

1.97

1.77

16.87

0.46

44.02

33.46

1.70

1.54

16.88

0.47

49.48

41.27

0.93

0.90

16.87

0.47

55.19

45.36

Note:  Earnings per share amounts for each fiscal year may not equal the total of the four quarterly amounts due to differences 
in  weighted-average  outstanding  shares  for  the  respective  periods  and  to  the  fact  that  the  Company’s  convertible 
perpetual preferred stock may be antidilutive for some periods. 

89 

 
  
 
 
        
        
        
        
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
 
          
          
          
          
 
 
  
 
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
 
            
            
            
            
              
              
              
              
 
 
  
 
 
            
            
            
            
 
            
            
            
            
  
  
  
 
        
        
        
        
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
 
          
          
          
          
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 

Significant items included in the quarterly results were as follows: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

First Quarter 2011 – restructuring costs of $0.9 million associated with voluntary early retirement offers aimed at 
reducing  costs  in  the  Company’s  U.S.  operations.  The  restructuring  costs  reduced  net  income  attributable  to 
Universal Corporation by approximately $0.6 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.02. 

Second Quarter 2011 – a $7.4 million reversal of a portion of a charge recorded in fiscal year 2005 to accrue a fine 
imposed by the European Commission on Deltafina, S.p.A., the Company’s subsidiary in Italy, related to tobacco 
buying  practices  in  Spain.  The  reversal  reflected  a  favorable  court  decision  in  Deltafina’s  appeal  of  the  fine  and 
increased net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $4.8 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.17. 
The Company also recorded restructuring costs of approximately $2.0 million primarily related to voluntary early 
retirement  offers  in  the  Company’s  U.S.  operations  and  voluntary  and  involuntary  separations  in  various  other 
locations.  The  restructuring  costs  reduced  net  income  attributable  to  Universal  Corporation  by  $1.3  million  and 
diluted earnings per share by $0.05. 

Third Quarter 2011 – a $19.4 million gain on the assignment of farmer contracts and sale of related assets in Brazil 
to an operating subsidiary of one of the Company’s major customers. The gain increased net income attributable to 
Universal  Corporation  by  $12.6  million  and  diluted  earnings  per  share  by  $0.44.  The  Company  also  recorded 
restructuring  and  impairment  costs  totaling  $11.0  million  during  the  quarter.  Those  costs  primarily  related  to  a 
decision to close the Company’s leaf tobacco processing operations in Canada and sell the assets of the operations, 
but  they  also  included  costs  associated  with  initiatives  to  restructure  and  downsize  activities  at  various  other 
locations. The restructuring and impairment costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $7.5 
million and diluted earnings per share by $0.26. 

Fourth  Quarter  2011  –  restructuring  and  impairment  costs  totaling  $7.5  million.  The  restructuring  costs  included 
pension  curtailment  and  settlement  charges  related  to  the  termination  of  a  defined  benefit  pension  plan  with  the 
closing  of  the  operations  in  Canada,  as  well  as  costs  associated  with  voluntary  early  retirement  offers  in  the 
Company’s U.S. operations and voluntary and involuntary separations in various other locations. The restructuring 
and impairment costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $4.8 million and diluted earnings 
per share by $0.17.  

90 

Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of 
Universal Corporation 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Corporation (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2011 
and  2010,  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, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
Item 15(a).  These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is 
to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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.  

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during fiscal year 2009, the Company adopted the measurement 
date provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension 
and Other Postretirement Plans (codified in FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits). 

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, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken
as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. 

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States), 
Universal Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011, 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 26, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP  

Richmond, Virginia 
May 26, 2011

91 

 Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on Internal Control  
Over Financial Reporting 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Universal Corporation 

We  have  audited  Universal  Corporation’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  March  31,  2011,  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 included in the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on 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,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and 
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, 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, Universal Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
March 31, 2011, 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, 2011 and 2010, 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, 2011 and our 
report dated May 26, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.  

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP  

Richmond, Virginia 
May 26, 2011 

92 

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

For  the  three  years  ended  March  31,  2011,  there  were  no  changes  in  independent  auditors,  nor  were  there  any 
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 Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the 
time periods specified in the SEC 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.  Based  on  this  evaluation,  the 
Company’s  management,  including  its  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  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  Exchange  Act.    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, 2011.  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  this 
assessment, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as 
of March 31, 2011. 

The  Company’s  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  Ernst  &  Young  LLP,  has  audited  the  Company’s 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  March  31,  2011.    Their  report  on  this  audit  appears  on  page  92  of  this  Annual 
Report. 

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. 

93 

Item 10.   Directors, 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 2011 Proxy Statement.  

The following are executive officers of the Company as of May 26, 2011.  

Name

Position

G. C. Freeman, III

W. K. Brewer

D. C. Moore

K. M. L. Whelan

P. D. Wigner

W. J. Coronado

R. M. Paul

R. M. Peebles

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Vice President and Treasurer

   Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer

Vice President

Executive Vice President, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc.

   Vice President and Controller

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

Age

48

52

55

64

42

57

53

53

K.M.L.  Whelan,  W.J.  Coronado,  R.  M.  Paul,  and  R.M.  Peebles  have  been  employed  by  the  Company  in  their  listed 
capacities during the last five years.  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,  President  in  December  2006,  Chief  Executive  Officer 
effective April 1, 2008 and Chairman of the Board in August 2008.  W.K. Brewer served as 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 Tobacco 
Company,  Incorporated  (“Universal  Leaf”)  in  March  2006,  Vice  President  of  Universal  Corporation  in  August  2007,  and 
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in August 2008.  D.C. Moore was elected Senior Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer effective September 1, 2008.  Mr. Moore served as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from April 
2006 until September 2008, as Senior Vice President of Universal Leaf from September 2005 until April 2006, and as Managing 
Director of Universal Leaf International SA from April 2002 until September 2005.   P.D. Wigner was elected Chief Compliance 
Officer in November 2007, Vice President in August 2007, and General Counsel and Secretary in November 2005.  Mr. Wigner 
served as Senior Counsel of Universal Leaf from November 2004 until November 2005.   

The  Company  has  a  Code  of  Conduct  that  includes  the  NYSE  requirements  for  a  “Code  of  Business  Conduct  and 
Ethics” and the SEC requirements for a “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.”  The Code of Conduct is applicable to all
officers, employees, and outside directors of the Company, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
and principal accounting officer.  A copy of the Code of Conduct is available through the “Corporate Governance-Overview” 
section of the Company’s website at www.universalcorp.com.  If the Company amends a provision of the Code of Conduct, 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 www.universalcorp.com to the extent required by the SEC or the NYSE.  

The  information  required  by  Items  407(c)(3),  (d)(4)  and  (d)(5)  of  Regulation  S-K  is  contained  under  the  captions 
“Corporate Governance and Committees—Committees of the Board—Compensation Committee,” “Corporate Governance and 
Committees—Committees of the Board—Audit Committee” of the Company’s 2011 Proxy Statement and such information is 
incorporated by reference herein. 

94 

Item 11.   Executive Compensation  

Refer  to  the  captions  “Executive  Compensation”  and  “Directors’  Compensation”  in  the  Company’s  2011  Proxy 

Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.  

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, 2011, with respect to compensation plans under which shares of the 
Company’s common stock are authorized for issuance.   

Plan Cate gory

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:

Numbe r of
Se curitie s to Be
Issue d upon
Exercise  of
O utstanding
O ptions,
Warrants and
Rights

 We ighte d-
Average
Exe rcise  Price
of O utstanding
O ptions,
Warrants and
Rights

Numbe r of
Se curitie s
Re maining
Available  for
Future  Issuance
Unde r Equity
Compe nsation
Plans (1)

1994 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.....

1997 Executive Stock Plan..................................................................................

2002 Executive Stock Plan..................................................................................

2007 Stock Incentive Plan...................................................................................
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (4)...............................  

11,000

4,000

458,393

828,146
    —   

$               

39.47

35.81

53.43

40.47
    —   

T otal....................................................................................................................

1,301,539

$               

45.01

    —   

    —   

127,099

1,279,033
    —   

1,406,132

(2)

(3)

(1) Amounts exclude any securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights. 
(2) 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  127,099  shares  of  common  stock  remaining  available  for  future  issuance  under  that  plan,  none  are 
available for awards of common stock or restricted stock.  

(3) The  2007  Stock  Incentive  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  1,279,033  shares  of  common  stock  remaining  available  for  future  issuance  under  that  plan,  170,925 
shares are available for awards of common stock, restricted stock units, or restricted stock.  

(4) All of the Company’s equity compensation plans have been approved by shareholders. 

Refer  also  to  the  caption  “Stock  Ownership”  in  the  Company’s  2011  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 2011 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  “Corporate 
Governance  and  Committees—Director  Independence”  of  the  Company’s  2011  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 2011 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. 

95 

 
               
           
 
                 
                 
           
             
                 
        
             
                 
     
               
               
           
          
     
PART IV  

Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules  

(a) 

The following are filed as part of this Annual Report: 

1. Financial Statements.  

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009  
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2011 and 2010 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Changes  in  Shareholders’  Equity  for  the  Fiscal  Years  Ended  March  31,  2011,       

2010, and 2009 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Accounting Firm 
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Accounting Firm, on Internal Control Over Financial     

Reporting 

2. Financial Statement Schedules.  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

3. Exhibits.    The  exhibits  are  listed  in  the  Exhibit  Index  immediately  following  the  signature  pages  to  this  Annual    

Report. 

(b)

Exhibits 

The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section to this Annual Report. 

(c) 

Financial Statement Schedules 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts appears on the following page of this Annual Report.  All other 
schedules are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable and therefore have been omitted.  

96 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 
Universal Corporation 
Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 

De scription

(in thousands of dollars)

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2009

Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from 
accounts receivable and other noncurrent assets)

Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from 
advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)

Balance  at
Beginning
of Pe riod

Ne t
Additions
(Re ve rsals) 
Charged
to Expe nse

Additions
Charge d
to O the r
Accounts

De ductions 
(a)

Balance
at End
of Pe riod

$          

7,920

$            

(913)

$         

    —   

$            

(970)

$          

6,037

21,585

26,908

    —   

(20,329)

28,164

Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other 
current assets and other noncurrent assets)

4,648

8,871

    —   

(1,262)

12,257

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2010

Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from 
accounts receivable and other noncurrent assets)

Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from 
advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)

$          

6,037

$             

697

$         

    —   

$             

123

$          

6,857

28,164

18,514

    —   

9,565

56,243

Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other 
current assets and other noncurrent assets)

12,257

3,174

    —   

2,162

17,593

Fiscal Ye ar Ende d March 31, 2011

Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from 
accounts receivable and other noncurrent assets)

Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from 
advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)

$          

6,857

$            

(681)

$         

    —   

$            

(573)

$          

5,603

56,243

18,666

    —   

29

74,938

Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other 
current assets and other noncurrent assets)

17,593

3,785

    —   

748

22,126

(a) Includes direct write-offs of assets and currency remeasurement. 

97 

          
          
           
         
          
            
            
           
           
          
          
          
           
            
          
          
            
           
            
          
          
          
           
                 
          
          
            
           
               
          
 
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 26, 2011 

      UNIVERSAL CORPORATION  

         By:                      /s/    GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III   

___________________________________________________________________________

George C. Freeman, III 
Chairman, President, 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/    GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III

   Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director 

May 26, 2011

George C. Freeman, III

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    DAVID C. MOORE

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 26, 2011

David C. Moore

 (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    ROBERT M. PEEBLES

   Vice President and Controller 

May 26, 2011

Robert M. Peebles

    (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    JOHN B. ADAMS, JR.

   Director

John B. Adams, Jr.

/s/    CHESTER A. CROCKER

   Director

Chester A. Crocker

/s/    CHARLES H. FOSTER, JR.

   Director

Charles H. Foster, Jr.

/s/    THOMAS H. JOHNSON

Director

Thomas H. Johnson

/s/    EDDIE N. MOORE, JR.

   Director

Eddie N. Moore, Jr.

 /s/    JEREMIAH J. SHEEHAN

Director

Jeremiah J. Sheehan

98 

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

Signature

Title

 /s/    ROBERT C. SLEDD

Director

Robert C. Sledd

/s/    HUBERT R. STALLARD

   Director

Hubert R. Stallard

/s/    DR. EUGENE P. TRANI

   Director

Dr. Eugene P. Trani

Date

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011

99 

EXHIBIT INDEX 

3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective August 30, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to the

Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K Registration Statement filed September 6, 2007, File No. 001-00652).

3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws (as of August 3, 2010) (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current

Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2010, File No. 001-00652).

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

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. 001-00652).

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. 001-00652).

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. 001-00652).

Form of Fixed Rate Note due December 1, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on
Form 8-K dated November 20, 2009, File No. 001-00652).

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.

10.1 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. 001-00652).

10.2

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. 001-00652).

10.3 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. 001-00652).

10.4 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. 001-00652).     

10.5 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. 001-00652).

10.6 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. 001-00652).

10.7

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. 001-
00652).

10.8 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. 001-00652).

1

10.9

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. 001-00652).

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

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. 001-00652).

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. 001-00652).

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. 001-
00652).

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. 001-00652).

10.14

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. 001-00652).

10.15

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. 001-
00652).

10.16

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. 001-00652).

10.17

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. 001-00652).

10.18

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. 001-00652).

10.19

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. 001-00652).

10.20

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. 001-00652).

10.21

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. 001-00652).

10.22

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. 001-00652).

10.23 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. 001-00652).

2

10.24 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. 001-
00652).

10.25

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. 001-00652).

10.26 Revised Form of Universal Corporation Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated herein by

reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 9, 2010, File No. 001-00652).

10.27

Form Change of Control Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed November 10, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.28 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. 001-00652).

10.29 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. 001-00652).

10.30 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. 001-00652).

10.31 Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2007, among the Registrant, or Borrower; certain domestic subsidiaries of the
Borrower as may from time to time become a party thereto, as Guarantors; the banks named therein and other financial
institutions as may become a party thereto, as Lenders; and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative
Agent (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 3, 2007, File No.
001-00652).

10.32

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. 001-00652).

10.33

Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed November 10, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.34

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. 001-00652).

10.35

Form Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed May 28, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.36

Form Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed June 3, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.37

Form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed June 3, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.38

Form Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed June 3, 2008, File No. 001-00652).

10.39

Form Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed March 23, 2009, File No. 001-00652).

3

10.40

10.41

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. 001-00652).

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.
001-00652).

10.42 Universal Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan dated August 7, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to the

Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-00652).

10.43 Universal Corporation Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to the

Registrant's definitive proxy statement filed June 25, 2009, File No. 001-00652).

10.44

Form of Universal Corporation 2010 Restricted Stock Agreement with Schedule of Awards to named executive officers
(incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010,
File No. 001-00652).

10.45

Form of Universal Corporation Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement for executive officers (incorporated herein by
reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).

10.46

Form of Universal Corporation Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).

10.47 Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Deferred Income Plan III, amended and restated as of December 31, 2008
(incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010,
File No. 001-00652).

10.48 Universal Corporation Outside Directors' Deferred Income Plan III, amended and restated as of December 31, 2008, and
amended as of February 1, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).

10.49

Form of Universal Corporation 2011 Restricted Stock Units Agreement.*

10.50

10.51

10.52

Form of Universal Corporation Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement for executive officers.*

Form of Universal Corporation Performance Share Award Agreement.*

Plea Agreement between Universal Leaf Tobacos Ltda., Universal Corporation and the United States Department of
Justice (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2010, File No.
001-00652).

10.53 Non-Prosecution Agreement between Universal Corporation and the United States Department of Justice (incorporated

herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 

10.54 Consent of Defendant Universal Corporation and Final Judgment as to Defendant Universal Corporation (incorporated

herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 

4

12 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Dividends.*

21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*

23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, 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.*

32.2

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

101

Interactive Data File (Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, furnished in XBRL
(eXtensible Business Reporting Language)).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Statements of
Income for each of the three years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March
31, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended March 31, 2011, 2010
and 2009, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 
and 20098, (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and (vi) Schedule II - Valuation
and Qualifying Accounts, tagged as blocks of text. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-
T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of
sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

* Filed herewith.

5

SHAREHOLDER INFORMA T ION

A N N U A L   M E E T I N G

S E C   F O R M   1 0 - K

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 
the offi ces of the Company, 9201 Forest Hill Avenue, 
Richmond,  Virginia,  on  Thursday,  August  4,  2011. 
A  proxy  statement  and  request  for  proxies  are 
included in this mailing to shareholders.

Shareholders  may  obtain  additional  copies  of  the 
Company’s  annual  report  to  the  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission on its website or by writing 
to the Treasurer of the Company.

I N D E P E N D E N T   A U D I T O R S

Ernst & Young LLP
The Edgeworth Building
Suite 201, 2100 East Cary Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223

I N V E S T O R   R E L A T I O N S
Contact:
  Karen M. L. Whelan

  Vice President and Treasurer

  Jennifer S. Rowe

  Assistant Vice President,
   Capital Markets
(804) 359-9311

Information Requests:

(804) 254-3789 or investor@universalleaf.com

D I V I D E N D   P A Y M E N T S

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.

C O M M O N   S T O C K   L I S T E D

New York Stock Exchange

C O M M O N   S T O C K   S Y M B O L

UVV

D I V I D E N D   R E I N V E S T M E N T   P L A N

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.

T R A N S F E R   A G E N T   A N D   R E G I S T R A R   A N D 
D I V I D E N D   R E I N V E S T M E N T   P L A N   A G E N T

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

Design: Universal Leaf Tobacco Company Inc. 
            Communications Services Department 

 
 
 
 
 
P.O. Box 25099
Richmond, VA 23260

www.universalcorp.com