Universal
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

UNIVERSALCORPORATION 2 0 1 5 Annual Report ABOUT THE COMPANY Universal Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Tobacco has been its principal focus since its founding in 1918. The largest portion of the company’s business involves procuring and processing flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. Universal conducts its business in more than 30 countries on 5 continents and employs over 27,000 permanent and seasonal workers. $ 4.06 $ 5.25 $ 4.66 2.06 2.08 47.16 2.02 2.04 55.89 1.98 2.00 56.04 $ 1,363,697 $ 1,218,270 $ 1,123,376 1,362,725 1,378,230 1,258,571 Net Income per Diluted Share * Dividends Declared Operating Income in dollars in dollars in millions of dollars 6 0 . 2 2 0 . 2 8 9 . 1 4 9 . 1 0 9 . 1 5 2 . 5 6 6 . 4 6 0 . 4 2 4 . 5 5 2 . 3 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 2 . 6 4 2 0 . 3 2 2 6 . 4 5 2 3 . 0 8 1 9 . 7 6 1 300 240 180 120 60 0 15 14 13 12 11 15 14 13 12 11 15 14 13 12 11 * Attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders after deducting amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries. ANNUAL REPORT 1 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSOPERATIONSSales and other operating revenues Segment operating incomeOperating income Net income Net income attributable to Universal CorporationPER COMMON SHARENet income attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders—dilutedDividends declaredIndicated 12-month dividend rateMarket price at year endAT YEAR ENDWorking capitalTotal Universal Corporation shareholders’ equityin thousands, except per share dataFiscal Year EndedMarch 31, 2013Fiscal Year EndedMarch 31, 2014$ 2,271,801 167,225 167,874120,461 114,608 Fiscal Year EndedMarch 31, 2015$ 2,461,699 232,757223,009140,919132,750$ 2,542,115 175,175 246,151155,155 149,009 Lennart R. Freeman 1 4 5 Retired Executive Vice President Swedish Match AB Thomas H. Johnson 1 5 Chief Executive Officer The Taffrail Group, LLC Eddie N. Moore, Jr. 2 3 4 * President and Chief Executive Officer Norfolk State University Robert C. Sledd 2 * 3 4 Managing Partner Pinnacle Ventures, LLC 1 Executive Committee 2 Pension Investment Committee 3 Finance Committee 4 Audit Committee 5 Executive Compensation, Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee * Committee Chairman Chairmen Emeritus Henry H. Harrell Allen B. King BOARD OF DIRECTORS Universal Corporation George C. Freeman, III 1 * 3 Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Universal Corporation John B. Adams, Jr. 2 3 4 President and Chief Executive Officer Bowman Companies Diana F. Cantor 2 3 * Partner Alternative Investment Management, LLC Chester A. Crocker 2 3 Professor Georgetown University Charles H. Foster, Jr. 1 5 * Retired Chairman LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. 1 2 Retired March 31, 2015 As of April 1, 2015 2 UNIVERSAL C ORP OR ATION OFFICERS Universal Corporation George C. Freeman, III Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer David C. Moore Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Preston D. Wigner Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary Pamela J. Kepple Corporate Director, Taxes 1 W. Keith Brewer Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 2 Airton L. Hentschke Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Candace C. Formacek Vice President and Treasurer Robert M. Peebles Vice President and Controller DIRECTORS Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. George C. Freeman, III Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer 2 1 W. Keith Brewer President and Chief Operating Officer David C. Moore Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Theodore G. Broome Executive Vice President and Sales Director 2 Airton L. Hentschke Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer James A. Huffman Senior Vice President, Information and Planning Preston D. Wigner Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Assistant Secretary Paul G. Beevor Managing Director, Asia Region Jennifer S. Rowe Assistant Vice President, Capital Markets Catherine H. Claiborne Assistant Secretary H. Michael Ligon Vice President, Corporate Affairs Harvard B. Smith Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Joseph W. Hearington, Jr. Vice President, Internal Auditing Friedrich G. Bossert Managing Director, Dark Air-Cured Region Clayton G. Frazier Managing Director, North America Region Cesar A. Bünecker Managing Director, South America Region Gary S. Taylor Managing Director, Africa Region Domenico Cardinali Managing Director, Europe Region Jonathan R. Wertheimer President, Socotab, LLC ANNUAL REPORT 3 TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Market conditions created a challenging operating environment for your Company in fiscal year 2015. We faced oversupplied markets that we believe were driven not only by global leaf tobacco overproduction, but also by lower customer demand, caused in part by weak economic conditions in some of their retail markets, particularly Europe. Despite delivering results below expectations in the first half of the fiscal year, we were able to end the year with strong second half results and achieved segment operating income for the fiscal year which was only modestly lower than the prior year. At the same time, we maintained our strong balance sheet and saw an increase in operating cash flows. Most importantly, we demonstrated once again our ability, even in demanding markets, to deliver a compliant product in an efficient manner to our customers and to produce solid fiscal results. Net income for fiscal year 2015, was $115 million, or $4.06 per diluted share, compared with last year’s net income of $149 million, or $5.25 per diluted share. Fiscal year 2014’s results included a gain in the first fiscal quarter of $82 million before tax ($1.87 per diluted share) from the favorable outcome of an excise tax-related legal proceeding in Brazil. This year’s results included a further gain related to those tax credits ($0.29 per diluted share) as well as a non-recurring income tax benefit ($0.28 per diluted share). Pretax restructuring costs of $5 million ($0.11 per diluted share) and $7 million ($0.15 per diluted share) were also incurred for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Segment operating income, which excludes those items, was $167 million for fiscal year 2015, a decrease of $8 million from the prior year. The lower earnings were primarily due to this year’s lower sales volumes, partially offset by a reduction in our selling, general, and administrative costs. 4 UNIVERSAL C ORP OR ATION We completed a major refinancing of our credit facilities in fiscal year 2015. This refinancing provides us with continued flexible and efficient funding mechanisms for our business and extended our long-term debt maturities by five to seven years. In addition, our operations generated $230 million more in operating cash flows in fiscal year 2015, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower green leaf prices and crop purchase volumes. We also increased our cash balances by $85 million, spent $58 million on capital projects, and returned $95 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and repurchases of our common and preferred stock. We are well-positioned as we enter fiscal year 2016 with substantial cash balances and manageable uncommitted inventory levels to support. We have also continued to work hard this year to ensure that we are prepared to capitalize on opportunities to enhance our business. While we operate in a mature industry, we believe there are prospects to both strengthen and expand our business. As the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, we have a long history in bringing both supply chain efficiencies and agricultural sustainability programs to the leaf tobacco industry. As I like to say, we did sustainability before sustainability became the popular buzzword that it is today. Recently, we have seen an increase in the level of demand for supply chain services, which include direct purchasing, that we provide our customers. We are expanding the supply chain services that we provide in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Dominican Republic. Many of these changes are already underway or will begin to be fully implemented in fiscal year 2016. We believe that this trend acknowledges both the efficiencies that we as a global leaf supplier bring to the tobacco leaf industry and the strength of our sustainability programs, including our ability to meet strict customer criteria. I also firmly believe that further opportunities exist for us to increase our market share and to offer expanded services to our customers. We operate in a unique position in the leaf tobacco industry that allows us to be a catalyst for improved efficiencies throughout the supply chain. We find buyers for all leaf grades and styles of tobacco produced in a farmer’s crop. This role helps to eliminate inefficient allocation of tobacco production, which improves leaf utilization, benefitting all parties involved. In addition to leaf utilization, we bring operational efficiencies to the industry, which in turn helps to reduce costs. These efficiencies include economical utilization of processing ANNUAL REPORT 5 capacity in our facilities, an established and scalable global network of agronomists and technicians helping to maintain a stable, productive, and sustainable farmer base, and agronomic and production improvements to optimize leaf yields and qualities. As a result, we are able to offer manufacturers a complete range of services from the field to the delivery of the packed product when they need it, that benefit from our efficiencies. These services include such things as buying station optimization, processing to specific customer specifications or needs, storage of green or packed leaf tobacco, and logistical services. Our global footprint and extensive operations in all major leaf production origins allows us to provide this critical broad range of services and to support our customers’ desires to achieve security of supply while reducing sourcing complexity. In addition to efficiencies, we also bring established, top quality sustainability programs to the industry. A key aspect to sustainability is the production of compliant leaf tobacco. To be considered compliant, leaf tobacco must be grown using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). One of our key GAP programs is the Agricultural Labor Practices program, which is featured in this annual report. We have long invested significant resources in programs and infrastructure needed to work with growers to produce compliant leaf and continue to enhance our ability to monitor and demonstrate this compliance to our customers. We believe that compliant leaf requirements and reduction in sourcing complexity will continue to be important to our customers and should favor stable global leaf suppliers who are able to meet these requirements. Strategically I believe your Company is poised for continued success and that we are in this strong position due to the work of our many outstanding employees around the world. Today I’d like to thank one of them who was not only my partner and sounding board for many years, but also my dear friend, W. Keith Brewer. Keith retired on March 31, 2015 after 38 years of service in the leaf tobacco industry. He brought extensive 6 UNIVERSAL C ORP OR ATION knowledge to the table that included expertise in processing and experience leading one of our large regions. As Chief Operating Officer, his job took him around the world, and he wanted to spend more time with his family and less on airplanes. I cannot fault him for that. His leadership, insight, and gentlemanly demeanor will be greatly missed by the entire Universal family. Luckily, Keith did not leave us without a great succession plan. Airton Luis Hentschke succeeded Keith as Chief Operating Officer on April 1st. Airton has been working for Universal since 1991, mainly in South America, and has had as broad an exposure to our business as anyone in our Company. He has served in industrial, financial, and commercial capacities and successfully led one of our largest regions. Airton moved to the United States in January 2013 and until the end of March, worked closely with Keith and also with me. As we move into fiscal year 2016, we remain focused on continuing to be a leader in bringing both market efficiencies and excellence in our sustainability programs to our customers and returning value to our shareholders. We are in a good position both financially and operationally to capitalize on prospects to strengthen and expand our business. I would like to thank our customers for our long-standing relationships and ongoing business opportunities. I also appreciate the hard work and dedication of my talented colleagues around the globe during this past year and look forward to bringing you continued achievements and rewards in fiscal year 2016. George C. Freeman, III Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer ANNUAL REPORT 7 8 UNIVERSAL C ORP OR ATION FOCUS ON AGRICULTURAL LABOR PRACTICES (ALP) PROGRAM At Universal Corporation, we endeavor to be a proactive and constructive supply chain partner and address key aspects and concerns of all of our stakeholders. As one of our Key Operating Principles, we focus on sourcing a compliant product that meets customer requirements in a competitive, yet sustainable, manner. Through our Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program, we are committed to continuous improvement by employing and promoting crop quality, environmental stewardship, and agricultural labor practices. A critical component of our GAP program is the Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP) program. ALP is designed to further our corporate goals and the goals of our customers of progressively addressing and eliminating concerns found in agriculture with child and other labor issues, and achieving safe and fair working conditions on all farms from which we source tobacco. We actively promote the rights of workers who not only are employed by us, but who are part of our supply chain. Primary ALP tenets for growers with whom we do business include: • Prohibition of child labor and forced labor; • Assurance of sufficient income to meet workers’ basic needs and to generate discretionary income, without excessive or illegal work hours; • Provision of a safe work environment to minimize injury and health risks, including, where provided, accommodations that are clean and safe; • Assurance of fair treatment of workers and prohibition of harassment, discrimination, and all forms of abuse; • Recognition and respect of workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining; and • Compliance with all employment laws of their country. The ALP program incorporates labor standards proposed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and relevant ILO conventions. We engage with numerous organizations in a collaborative process to support our mutual objectives. For example, we are a member of the Farm Labor Practices Group, a multi- stakeholder initiative in the United States which fosters improved farm labor practices that educate and shape a worker’s experience on the farm and help growers understand and comply with applicable labor laws and regulations. We are also a founding member of the Eliminating Child Labor in Tobacco Growing Foundation (ECLT), a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated specifically to addressing the issue of child labor in tobacco-growing areas around the world. Elimination of child labor is of paramount concern. We work with grower communities around the world to increase awareness and further understanding of the importance of this issue. Universal is a global leader in promoting the prevention of child labor in tobacco production, and protecting and improving the lives of children in tobacco-growing areas. Our active participation in the ECLT and our adoption of and adherence to the ECLT Pledge of Commitment in 2014 exemplifies our dedication at the highest levels. ALP program implementation incorporates ongoing training and measurable standards to monitor results and support continuous improvement. We commit significant time and resources to training our employees on our program and providing them the tools they need to implement the program. For example, we utilize ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT 9 9 MobileafTM, our proprietary tablet-based grower management solution, in many countries to help our leaf technicians efficiently monitor and implement ALP along with other agricultural, sustainability and social responsibility elements of our GAP program. Universal also commits significant time and resources to working closely with external stakeholders. We believe strongly in engaging with customers, investors, NGO’s, political leaders, and regulatory bodies in concert with the implementation of the ALP and social responsibility programs. Our robust corporate affairs, agronomy and operations departments, to name a few, provide continual engagement with stakeholders regarding initiatives to address social, labor, and environmental considerations in the tobacco industry. The strength, efficiency, and security of the tobacco supply chain is vital to our success and to the success of our customers. We work diligently to preserve the quality and integrity of our tobacco from the time it is planted through the time it is processed and delivered to our customers. To this end, we will continue to employ the high standards of our GAP program and to promote the ALP program with growers, customers and other stakeholders. 10 UNIVERSAL C ORP ORAT ION PERFORMANCE GRAPH Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return* $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 $0 3/10 3/11 3/12 3/13 3/14 3/15 Universal Corporation S&P Smallcap 600 S&P Midcap 400 Peer Group *$100 invested on 3/31/10 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending March 31. Copyright© 2015 S&P, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. All rights reserved. The performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Universal Corporation common stock for the last five fiscal 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 2010 fiscal year, and in each of the comparative indices, in each case with dividends reinvested. CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON UNIVERSAL CORPORATION COMMON STOCK 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 At March 31 Universal Corporation $ 100.00 $ 86.34 $ 96.80 $ 121.15 $ 125.39 $ 110.55 S & P MidCap 400 S&P Smallcap 600 Peer Group 100.00 100.00 100.00 126.95 125.26 78.98 129.47 131.56 74.07 152.55 152.80 76.42 184.96 195.29 57.37 207.52 212.32 21.61 ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT 11 9 UNIVERSALCORPORATION 2 0 1 5 10-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 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 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 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 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 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. Large accelerated filer 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 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, 2014, the last day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.0 billion. As of May 20, 2015, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was 22,593,266. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Certain information contained in the 2015 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the registrant is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]               UNIVERSAL CORPORATION FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS Item No. Page PART I 1. 1A. 1B. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Business .................................................................................................................................................... Risk Factors............................................................................................................................................... Unresolved Staff Comments ..................................................................................................................... Properties .................................................................................................................................................. Legal Proceedings ..................................................................................................................................... Mine Safety Disclosures ........................................................................................................................... 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.................... 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .................................................................. 8. 9. 9A. 9B. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 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 ................................................................................................... PART IV 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules .................................................................................................. Signatures.................................................................................................................................................. 3 9 12 13 14 14 15 16 18 33 34 82 82 82 83 84 84 84 84 85 87 2 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]               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 make written or oral forward-looking statements from time to time, 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 supplier. 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 procuring and processing flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. Our 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- and non-tobacco-related services. We generated approximately $2.3 billion in consolidated revenues and earned $167.2 million in total segment operating income in fiscal year 2015. 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: • • Strategic market position. We work closely with both our customers and suppliers to ensure that we deliver a product that meets our customers' needs and promotes a strong sustainable supplier base. We believe that developing and maintaining these relationships is particularly valuable in the leaf tobacco industry where delivering quality, compliant tobacco at an appropriate price is a key factor in long-term profitability. Balancing these relationships, we target our tobacco production contracts against customer purchase indications and maintain global procurement and production supply chain operations that allow us to maximize efficiencies. We continually work to adapt our business model to meet our customers' evolving needs while providing the compliant products, stability of supply, and the high level of service that distinguishes our company. Strong local management. We operate with strong local management. We believe that having strong local management in each leaf tobacco origin helps us better identify and adjust to constantly changing market conditions and provides us with specific market knowledge quickly. We believe that this, coupled with effective global coordination, is a key factor in our ability to continue to deliver the high quality, competitively-priced products and services that our customers expect. • Compliant products. We focus on sourcing a compliant product that meets customer requirements in a competitive, yet sustainable, manner. We are committed to continuous improvement by employing and promoting good agricultural practices which encompass crop quality, environmental stewardship, and agricultural labor practices (“Good Agricultural Practices”). Our Good Agricultural Practices programs educate farmers in such matters as the reduction of non-tobacco related materials, product traceability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. • Diversified sources. We strive to maintain efficient diversified sources of leaf tobacco to minimize reliance on any one sourcing area. We operate in over 30 countries on five continents, maintain a presence in all major flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark air-cured tobacco growing regions in the world, and hold a prominent position in all key tobacco areas. Our global reach allows us to meet our customers' diverse and dynamic leaf requirements and helps minimize the impact of crop failures or other localized supply interruptions. • Financial strength. We believe that sustaining our financial strength is important, because it enables us to fund our business efficiently and make investments in our business when appropriate opportunities are 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 continually work to improve our financial condition and 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 at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. 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 primary business is procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco products throughout the world. Procuring leaf tobacco involves contracting with, providing agronomy support to, 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 contract, purchase, process, and sell flue-cured and burley tobaccos, as well as dark air-cured 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, smokeless, and pipe tobacco products. We also provide value-added services to our customers, including blending, chemical and physical testing of tobacco, service cutting for select manufacturers, manufacturing reconstituted leaf tobacco, and managing just-in-time inventory. In addition to our primary business, we are involved in tobacco and other agribusiness opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return, leverage our assets and expertise, and enhance our farmer base. We participate in a joint venture that supplies traceable liquid nicotine to the vapor products industry. During fiscal year 2015, we entered a new business to produce high-quality dehydrated and juiced fruit and vegetable products. With respect to our primary business, we generate our revenues from product sales of processed, packed tobacco that we source, from processing fees for tobacco owned by third parties, and from fees for other services. Sales to our five largest customers, with whom we have longstanding relationships, have accounted for more than 60% of our consolidated revenues for each of the past three fiscal years. Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured and burley tobaccos. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, our flue-cured and burley operations accounted for 90% of our revenues and 94% of our segment operating income. We conduct our business in varying degrees in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, 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, our oriental tobacco joint venture, Socotab, L.L.C. has operations in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, and Turkey. Because unprocessed, or “green,” leaf tobacco is a perishable product, timely processing is an essential service to our customers. Our processing of leaf tobacco includes grading in the factories, blending, removal of non-tobacco material, separation of leaf from the stems, drying, packing to precise moisture targets for proper aging, as well as temporary storage. Accomplishing these tasks generally requires investments in factories 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. Africa, Brazil, and the United States produce approximately 60% of the flue-cured and burley tobacco grown outside of China. We estimate that we have historically handled, through leaf sales or processing, between 35% and 45% of the annual production of such tobaccos in Africa, between 15% and 25% in Brazil, and between 25% and 35% in the United States. These percentages can change from year to year based on the size, price, and quality of the crops. Recently, as tobacco growing regions have expanded in Africa, we have handled a larger proportion of the crops there. We participate in the procurement, processing, storage, and sale of oriental tobacco through ownership of a 49% equity interest in Socotab, L.L.C., a leading processor and supplier of oriental tobaccos. 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. The efficiencies that we offer our customers, due to our established network of operational expertise and infrastructure on the ground and our ability to market most styles and grades of leaf to a diverse customer base, are also key to our success. 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. Customer contract arrangements vary around the world and include negotiated pricing as well as cost plus arrangements. Discussions of a customer’s longer-term needs may begin as early as one to two years in advance of a particular crop purchase. These discussions are key to our future crop production planning. Prior to planting each 5 year, we use early customer indications for type, style, processing, and volume requirements from the upcoming season’s crop to help us determine our farmer contracting and grower input needs in our origins. We work with our farmers and customers continually throughout the crop season. As crops progress through the growing season, customers will inspect the crop, and a customer’s early indications may be refined based upon emerging crop qualities and quantities and market pricing expectations. Ultimately, purchase agreements specifying quantity, quality, grade and price are executed, leading to committed inventory allocations of harvested green or processed leaf that we have acquired. In the majority of the countries where we operate, we contract directly with tobacco farmers or tobacco farmer cooperatives. In most countries outside the United States, we advance seed, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs to farmers. These advances are repaid by farmers with the tobacco they produce. We are dedicated to promoting a sustainable farmer base and provide our farmers with agronomy support. Our Good Agricultural Practices programs educate farmers in such matters as the reduction of non-tobacco related materials, product traceability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. In Malawi and Zimbabwe, we also purchase some tobacco under auction systems. 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 more information about our foreign currency exchange and other risks. For a discussion of recent developments and trends in our business, along with 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 November. Farmers begin to sell U.S. flue-cured tobacco in late July, and the marketing season lasts for approximately four months. 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 borrowings from 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 and Central America. Our financial performance is also impacted by the seasonality of our business. In recent years, as production volumes in Brazil have declined and volumes have increased in Africa, we have seen more of our volumes shipped and the related revenues move into the second half of our fiscal year. Changes in crop timing in a season or changes in customer shipment schedules can also shift recognition of revenue in a given fiscal year. Customers A material part of our business is dependent upon a few customers. Our five largest customers are Philip Morris International, Inc., Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, British American Tobacco, PLC, China Tobacco International, Inc., and Japan Tobacco, Inc. In the aggregate, these customers have accounted for more than 60% of our consolidated revenues for each of the past three fiscal years. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, each of Philip Morris International, Inc. and Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, including their respective affiliates, accounted for 10% or more of our revenues, while British American Tobacco, PLC, China Tobacco International, Inc., and Japan Tobacco, Inc. each accounted for between 7% and 10% 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 longstanding relationships with all of these customers. We had commitments from customers for approximately $485 million of the tobacco in our inventories at March 31, 2015. Based upon historical experience, we expect that at least 80% of such orders will be delivered during fiscal year 2016. Most of our product requires shipment via trucks and oceangoing vessels to reach customer destinations. Delays in the delivery of orders can result from such factors as truck and container availability, port access and capacity, vessel scheduling, 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, including the United States, Italy, and Brazil, we process tobacco that is owned by our customers, and we recognize the revenue for that service when the processing is completed. 6 Competition Competition among leaf tobacco suppliers is based on the ability to meet customer specifications in the growing, 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 most 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 several of the major markets. 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 and farm programs that add value for our customers in an increasingly regulated world and make our products highly desirable. 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 sustainable tobacco production which include promoting Good Agricultural Practices that encompass crop quality, environmental stewardship, and agricultural labor practices. We believe that our major customers increasingly desire these services and that our programs increase the quality and value of the products and services we offer. We also believe that our customers value the security of supply that we are able to provide due to our strong relationships with our farmer base and our global footprint. 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. Our Dark Air-Cured group supplies dark air-cured tobacco principally to manufacturers of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products, and our Oriental business supplies oriental tobacco to cigarette manufacturers. Our Special Services group provides laboratory services, including physical and chemical product testing, e-cigarette and e-liquid testing, and smoke testing for customers. Our liquid nicotine joint venture and our fruit and vegetable ingredients business are included in the Special Services group. 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 require lower working capital investments for crop financing and inventory. 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 77% of our revenues and 19% and 75% of our segment operating income, respectively, in fiscal year 2015. Our Other Tobacco Operations reportable segment accounted for 10% of our revenues and 6% of our segment operating income in fiscal year 2015. 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, 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 27,000 employees throughout the world during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. 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, 2015, 2014, or 2013. 7 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. 8 Item 1A. Risk Factors Operating Factors 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 fill all of our customers’ orders, and such failure would have an adverse effect on profitability and results of operations. In a contract market our obligation is to purchase the entire tobacco plant, which encompasses many leaf styles, therefore, we also have a risk that not all of that production will be readily marketable at prices which support acceptable margins. 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. The leaf tobacco industry is competitive, and we are heavily reliant on a few large customers. We are one of two major independent global competitors in the 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 suppliers and dealers is based on the ability to meet customer requirements 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’ requirements and charge competitive prices. Since we rely upon a few significant customers, the consolidation or failure of any of these large customers, or a significant increase in their vertical integration, could contribute to a significant decrease in our sales of products and services. We compete for both the purchase and sale of leaf with smaller leaf tobacco suppliers in some of the markets where we conduct business. Some of these smaller leaf tobacco suppliers operate in more than one country. Since they typically provide little or no support to farmers, these leaf tobacco suppliers typically have lower overhead requirements than we do. Due to their lower cost structures, they often can offer prices on products and services that are lower than our prices. Our customers also directly source leaf tobacco from farmers to meet some of their raw material needs. Direct sourcing provides our customers with some qualities and quantities of leaf tobacco that they prefer not to use in their existing blends and that may be offered for sale. This 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. As a leaf tobacco supplier, our financial results can be significantly affected by changes in the overall balance of worldwide supply and demand for leaf tobacco. The demand for leaf tobacco, which is based upon customers’ expectations of their future requirements, can change from time to time depending upon factors affecting the demand for their products. Our customers’ expectations and their demand for leaf tobacco are influenced by a number of factors, including: • • • • • trends in the global consumption of cigarettes, trends in consumption of cigars and other tobacco products, trends in consumption of alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, levels of competition among our customers, and regulatory and governmental factors. The world supply of leaf tobacco at any given time is a function of current tobacco production, inventories held by manufacturers, and the stocks of leaf tobacco held by leaf tobacco suppliers. Production of tobacco in a given year may be significantly affected by such factors as: • • • • • demographic shifts that change the number of farmers or the amount of land available to grow tobacco, decisions by farmers to grow crops other than leaf tobacco, elimination of government subsidies to farmers, volume of annual tobacco plantings and yields realized by farmers, availability of crop inputs, • weather and natural disasters, including any adverse weather conditions that may result from climate change, and • crop infestation and disease. 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. 9 Our financial results will vary according to tobacco growing conditions, customer requirements, and other factors. These factors may 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 and may also result in variations in quarterly and annual financial results. We base sales recognition on the passage of ownership. Since individual shipments may represent significant amounts of revenue, our quarterly and annual financial results may vary significantly depending on the timing of 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. 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 tobacco required by our customers. In addition, other factors can affect the marketability of tobacco, including, among other things, the presence of excess residues of crop protection agents or non-tobacco related materials. A significant event impacting the condition or quality of a large amount of any of the crops that we buy could make it difficult for us to sell these products or to fill customers’ orders. Regulatory and Governmental Factors Government efforts to 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. Nationally, 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: • • • • 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. About 5% of cigarettes manufactured worldwide are consumed in the United States. Globally, a number of foreign governments and 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, including plain packaging, 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 or speed at 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. 10 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 growing leaf tobacco 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 the FCTC, may cause shifts in customer usage of certain styles of tobacco. As seen in countries like Canada and Brazil and in the European Union, 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 challenges as requirements move from one origin to another. Trade proposals currently under consideration include provisions that could effectively allow governments to regulate tobacco products differently than other products. These “carve outs” could negatively impact the industry and reduce requirements for leaf tobacco. 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. 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, indigenization, 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. 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 or 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 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 suppliers to repay extensions of credit could materially impact our results of operations. We extend credit to both suppliers 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. 11 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, Poland, and the Philippines. 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. 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, and those balances are not hedged, 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. We generally use both fixed and floating interest rate debt to finance our operations. Changes in market interest rates expose us to changes in cash flows for floating rate instruments and to changes in fair value for fixed-rate instruments. We normally maintain a proportion of our debt in both variable and fixed interest rates to manage this exposure, and from time to time we may enter hedge agreements to swap the interest rates. In addition, our customers may pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased on order, which could mitigate a portion of the floating interest rate exposure on short-term borrowings. To the extent we are unable to match these interest rates, a decrease in interest rates could increase our net financing costs. We also periodically have large cash balances and may receive deposits from customers, both of which we use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, reducing our financing needs. Decreases in short-term interest rates could reduce the income we derive from those investments. Changes in interest rates also affect expense related to our defined benefit pension plan, as described below. Low investment performance by our defined benefit pension plan assets and changes in pension plan valuation assumptions 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 domestic defined benefit pension plans that cover certain eligible employees. Our results of operations may be positively or negatively affected by the amount of expense we record for these plans. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) require that we calculate expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions about financial market and other economic conditions that may change based on changes in key economic indicators. The most significant year-end assumptions we used to estimate pension expense for fiscal year 2015 were the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the mortality rates. 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 the “Pension and other postretirement benefits plan” component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. At the end of fiscal year 2015, the projected benefit obligation of our U.S. pension plan was $230 million and plan assets were $204 million. For a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan valuation assumptions, 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 can also affect the amount of cash we are required to contribute to our 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 our pension plans. In order to maintain or improve the funded status of our plans, we may also choose to contribute more cash to our plans than required by ERISA regulations. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None 12 Item 2. Properties We own the following significant properties (greater than 500,000 square feet): Location Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations: North America: United States Principal Use Building Area (Square Feet) Nash County, North Carolina .......................................................................... Factory and storages 1,312,000 Other Regions: Brazil Santa Cruz ....................................................................................................... Factory and storages 2,386,000 Malawi Lilongwe.......................................................................................................... Factory and storages 942,000 Mozambique Tete .................................................................................................................. Factory and storages 748,000 Philippines Agoo, La Union ............................................................................................... Factory and storages 770,000 Tanzania Morogoro......................................................................................................... Factory and storages 803,000 Zimbabwe Harare (1) .......................................................................................................... Factory and storages 1,445,000 Other Tobacco Operations: United States Lancaster, Pennsylvania .................................................................................. Factory and storages 793,000 (1) Owned by an unconsolidated subsidiary. We lease headquarters office space of about 50,000 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. In addition to our significant properties listed above, we own other processing facilities in the following countries: Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, 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 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 tobaccos used by manufacturers in the production of cigarettes. The Lancaster facility, as well as facilities in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Paraguay, process tobaccos used in making cigar, pipe, and smokeless products, as well as components of certain “roll-your-own” products. We expect to complete the construction of a 120,000 square-foot processing facility for our new fruit and vegetable ingredients business and begin operations in that facility during fiscal year 2016. The facility is located in Nash County, North Carolina. 13 Item 3. Legal Proceedings European Commission Fines in Italy In 2002, we reported that we were aware that the European Commission (the “Commission”) was investigating certain aspects of the leaf tobacco markets in Italy. One of our subsidiaries, Deltafina S.p.A. (“Deltafina”), buys and processes tobacco in Italy. We reported that we did not believe that the Commission investigation in Italy would result in penalties being assessed against us or our subsidiaries that would be material to our earnings. The reason we held this belief was that we had received conditional immunity from the Commission because Deltafina had voluntarily informed the Commission of the activities that were the basis of the investigation. On December 28, 2004, we received a preliminary indication that the Commission intended to revoke Deltafina’s immunity for disclosing in April 2002 that it had applied for immunity. Neither the Commission’s Leniency Notice of February 19, 2002, nor Deltafina’s letter of provisional immunity, contains a specific requirement of confidentiality. The potential for such disclosure was discussed with the Commission in March 2002, and the Commission never told Deltafina that the disclosure would affect Deltafina’s immunity. On November 15, 2005, we received notification from the Commission that the Commission had imposed fines totaling €30 million on Deltafina and Universal Corporation jointly for infringing European Union antitrust law in connection with the purchase and processing of tobacco in the Italian raw tobacco market. In January 2006, Universal Corporation and Deltafina each filed appeals in the General Court of the European Union (“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. On September 9, 2011, the General Court issued its decision, in which it rejected Deltafina’s application to reinstate immunity. Deltafina appealed the decision of the General Court to the European Court of Justice, and a hearing was held in November 2012. Effective with the September 9, 2011 General Court decision, we recorded a charge for the full amount of the fine (€30 million) plus accumulated interest (€5.9 million). The charge totaled $49.1 million at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the General Court decision. Deltafina previously provided the Commission a bank guarantee in the amount of the fine plus accumulated interest in order to stay execution during the appeals process. In January 2013, the guarantee was fully collateralized with a bank deposit. On June 12, 2014, the European Court of Justice issued its final decision on the matter, in which it rejected Deltafina's application to reinstate immunity. We and Deltafina paid the final amount of the fine and interest, approximately €38.9 million ($53.0 million), before June 30, 2014. Upon payment, the bank guarantee was terminated and the related deposit was returned. The payment of the fine and interest did not have a material impact on our operations or the operations at Deltafina. Other Legal Matters In addition to the above-mentioned matter, 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 business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to our current expectation, the effect on our results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 14 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Common Equity Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UVV.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of the common stock on the NYSE Composite Tape, based upon published financial sources, and the dividends declared on each share of common stock for the quarter indicated. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 Cash dividends declared ................................................................................... $ 0.51 $ 0.51 $ 0.52 $ 0.52 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Market price range: High................................................................................................................ Low ................................................................................................................ 56.82 52.16 56.35 44.39 45.63 38.53 48.10 39.27 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 Cash dividends declared ................................................................................... $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.51 $ 0.51 Market price range: High................................................................................................................ Low ................................................................................................................ 61.46 54.45 63.36 48.43 54.60 50.06 58.99 49.84 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, 2015. At May 20, 2015, there were 1,220 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. Purchases of Equity Securities The following table summarizes our repurchases of our common stock and our Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015: Common Stock Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Period (1) Total Number of Shares Repurchased Average Price Paid Per Share (2) Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3) Total Number of Shares Repurchased Average Price Paid Per Share (2) Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3) Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (3) January 1-31, 2015 .................. 214,900 $ February 1-28, 2015 ................ March 1-31, 2015 .................... 25,405 — 40.06 41.86 — 214,900 25,405 — 1,106 $ 985.00 $ 1,106 $ 68,339,934 — — — — — — 67,276,553 67,276,553 Total......................................... 240,305 $ 40.25 240,305 1,106 $ 985.00 1,106 $ 67,276,553 (1) (2) (3) Repurchases are based on the date the shares were traded. This presentation differs from the consolidated statement of cash flows, where the cost of share repurchases is based on the date the transactions were settled. Amounts listed for average price paid per share include broker commissions paid in the transactions. A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 5, 2013. This stock repurchase plan authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million in common and/or preferred stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors. This stock repurchase program will expire on the earlier of November 15, 2015, or when we have exhausted the funds authorized for the program. 15 Item 6. Selected Financial Data Summary of Operations Sales and other operating revenues.................................................................... $ 2,271,801 $ 2,542,115 $ 2,461,699 $ 2,446,877 $ 2,571,527 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 (in thousands, except share and per share data, ratios, and number of shareholders) Segment operating income (1) ............................................................................. $ 167,225 Operating income............................................................................................... $ 167,874 Net income ......................................................................................................... $ 120,461 Net income attributable to Universal Corporation (2) ......................................... $ 114,608 Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders................. $ 99,748 Return on beginning common shareholders’ equity .......................................... 8.6% Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders: Basic............................................................................................................. $ Diluted.......................................................................................................... $ 4.33 4.06 Financial Position at Year End $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 175,175 246,151 155,155 149,009 134,159 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 232,757 223,009 140,919 132,750 117,900 12.1% 5.05 4.66 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 233,548 180,304 100,819 92,057 77,207 7.9% 3.32 3.25 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 257,925 254,600 164,550 156,565 141,715 15.6% 5.94 5.42 12.8% 5.77 5.25 Current ratio ....................................................................................................... 6.03 3.68 2.80 4.31 3.08 Total assets......................................................................................................... $ 2,198,473 $ 2,270,907 $ 2,306,155 $ 2,266,919 $ 2,227,867 Long-term obligations........................................................................................ $ 370,000 $ 240,000 $ 181,250 $ 392,500 $ 320,193 Working capital.................................................................................................. $ 1,363,697 $ 1,218,270 $ 1,123,376 $ 1,297,921 $ 1,065,883 Total Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity............................................. $ 1,362,725 $ 1,378,230 $ 1,258,571 $ 1,183,451 $ 1,185,606 General Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ..................................................................... Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends............ 8.46 4.05 Number of common shareholders...................................................................... 1,225 10.73 5.49 1,295 8.87 4.69 1,354 7.53 4.07 1,408 9.41 5.17 1,447 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic................................................................................................................ 23,035,920 23,238,978 23,354,793 23,227,884 23,859,373 Diluted............................................................................................................. 28,221,264 28,392,033 28,478,058 28,339,307 28,887,552 Dividends per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock (annual)............. $ 67.50 Dividends per share of common stock (annual) ................................................ $ 2.06 Book value per common share........................................................................... $ 50.95 $ $ $ 67.50 2.02 50.19 $ $ $ 67.50 1.98 44.79 $ $ $ 67.50 1.94 41.73 $ $ $ 67.50 1.90 41.85 (1) The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses (excluding significant charges or credits), plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report. (2) 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. 16 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 fiscal year, and preference dividends represent the pre-tax equivalent of dividends on preferred stock. Significant items included in the operating results in the above table are as follows: • • • • • Fiscal Year 2015 – a $12.7 million benefit to pretax earnings from the reversal of a valuation allowance on the remaining unused balance of the excise tax credits realized from the favorable outcome of litigation by our subsidiary in Brazil in fiscal year 2014. In addition, we recorded a consolidated income tax benefit of $8.0 million arising from the ability of our subsidiary, Deltafina S.p.A. ("Deltafina"), to pay a significant portion of the European Commission fine and related interest charges settled during the first quarter following the unsuccessful appeal of the case related to tobacco buying practices in Italy. The effect of those items was partially offset by restructuring costs of $4.9 million, primarily related to downsizing certain functions at our operations in Brazil and the decision to suspend our operations in Argentina. On a combined basis, the net effect of these items increased income before income taxes by $7.8 million and net income by $13.1 million, or $0.46 per diluted share. Fiscal Year 2014 – an $81.6 million gain resulting from the favorable outcome of litigation by our operating subsidiary in Brazil related to previous years’ excise tax credits. In addition to the gain, we recorded restructuring costs of $6.7 million, primarily related to the closure of a tobacco processing facility in Brazil and the consolidation of these operations into our main processing facility there. The net effect of the gain and the restructuring costs increased net income before income taxes by $74.9 million and net income by $48.7 million, or $1.72 per diluted share. Fiscal Year 2013 – $4.1 million in restructuring costs, primarily related to workforce reductions in Africa. The effect of these charges was a reduction in net income of $1.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Fiscal Year 2012 – a $49.1 million charge to accrue a fine and accumulated interest imposed jointly on the Company and Deltafina by the European Commission related to tobacco buying practices in Italy. The charge reflected a September 2011 appeals court decision rejecting Deltafina's application to reinstate its immunity in the case. No income tax benefit was recorded on the non-deductible fine portion of the charge. In addition to that charge, we recorded restructuring costs of $11.7 million, including approximately $8.6 million for employee termination benefits, primarily related to our operations in the U.S. and South America, and $3.1 million for costs to exit a supplier arrangement in Europe. Results for the year also included a gain of $11.1 million on the sale of land and buildings in Brazil that were most recently used for storage activities and a $9.6 million gain on insurance settlement proceeds to replace factory and equipment lost in a fire at a plant in Europe. On a combined basis, the net effect of these items decreased income before income taxes by $40.0 million and net income by $40.3 million, or $1.42 per diluted share. Fiscal Year 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 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 net income by $3.3 million, or about $0.12 per diluted share. 17 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided to enhance the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, Part I, Item 1, “Business” and 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 supplier. 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. We hold a strategic position in the world leaf markets where we work closely with both our customers and farmers to ensure that we deliver a compliant product that meets our customers' needs while promoting a strong supplier base. We adapt to meet changes in customer requirements as well as broader changes in the leaf markets while continuing to provide the stability of supply and high level of service that distinguishes us in the marketplace. We believe that we have successfully met the needs of both our customers and suppliers while adapting to changes in leaf markets. Consequently, we have delivered strong results to our shareholders. Over the last three fiscal years, we have strengthened our balance sheet by repaying almost $100 million in debt, generated over $450 million in net cash flow from operations, and returned almost $240 million to our shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases. Despite smaller crops, rising leaf production costs, and margin pressures in most regions, we delivered better performance in fiscal year 2013 than we had anticipated at the beginning of the fiscal year. Some of this success was attributable to the sale of previously uncommitted inventories and carryover shipments of the prior year's large African and South American crops. In addition, we benefited from lower selling, general, and administrative costs. Certain of these costs reductions were unpredictable - such as currency remeasurement and exchange gains - and may not be recurring, while others were a result of our targeted cost reduction and efficiency improvement efforts. We also performed well in the face of a challenging environment in fiscal year 2014. Due to larger crops, shipping volumes in the second half of fiscal year 2014 exceeded those in the comparable period of fiscal year 2013. These increased volumes partially offset lower levels of carryover volumes in the first half of fiscal year 2014, weaker margins in Brazil from volatile Brazilian leaf markets, and negative foreign currency remeasurement and exchange loss comparisons. Our higher working capital cash requirements in fiscal year 2014 were a sharp contrast to the returns of working capital seen in fiscal year 2013, when we had the advantage of sales of uncommitted inventory and large carryover crops that bolstered cash flows. In fiscal year 2014, purchases of larger crops, tighter margins in Brazil from higher green leaf costs, and investments in production growth in Africa utilized much of the substantial levels of cash flow from fiscal year 2013. Given fiscal year 2015’s oversupplied market conditions, we are pleased with the results we achieved. We ended the year with strong fourth quarter results, which helped to bring our segment operating earnings for the fiscal year in line with our expectations. We also realized higher margins, maintained our solid financial position, and returned over $90 million to our shareholders in dividends and share repurchases this fiscal year. We believe that our performance demonstrates our ability to execute well on our objective of delivering a compliant product in an efficient manner to our customers, under challenging circumstances. We are well-positioned as we enter fiscal year 2016 with substantial cash balances and manageable uncommitted inventory levels. Markets in Africa and Brazil have opened at a similar pace compared to fiscal year 2015, and crop qualities are mixed, with production volumes expected to be lower in most origins. Although we are not seeing significant delays in customer orders, we expect shipping instructions to be weighted towards the second half of our fiscal year. In addition, while our own leaf inventories are well-managed, global tobacco leaf inventory volumes are high. This may have the effect of extending the duration of the oversupply conditions, despite reduced new crop production and a more positive outlook for demand from some customers based on recent recoveries in certain of their retail markets. Looking beyond near-term market conditions, we are optimistic about the future as we believe there are several trends in our business that could provide opportunities for us to increase our market share and to offer additional services to our customers. We have recently seen an increase in the level of supply chain services, which include direct purchasing, that we provide our customers, notably in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. We believe these moves acknowledge the efficiencies and services that global leaf suppliers bring to the entire supply chain. In addition, we believe that compliant leaf requirements and reduction in sourcing complexity will continue to be important to our customers and should favor stable global leaf suppliers who are able to meet these requirements. 18 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Amounts described as net income and earnings per diluted share in the following discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. The total for segment operating income referred to in the discussion below is a non-GAAP financial measure. This measure is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other operating performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income to consolidated operating income in Note 15. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. We evaluate our segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe this measure, which excludes these items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, provides investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 Net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, was $114.6 million, or $4.06 per diluted share, compared with last year’s net income of $149.0 million, or $5.25 per diluted share. Last year’s results included a gain of $81.6 million before tax ($53.1 million after tax, or $1.87 per diluted share), from the favorable outcome of litigation in Brazil related to previous years’ excise tax credits. Results for the current fiscal year included a further gain related to those tax credits, of $12.7 million before tax ($0.29 per diluted share) recorded in the fourth fiscal quarter from updated projections of the utilization of the credits before expiration. The current year also included an income tax benefit of $8.0 million ($0.28 per diluted share) arising from a subsidiary’s payment of a portion of a fine following the resolution of a court case. Pretax restructuring costs of $4.9 million ($0.11 per diluted share) and $6.7 million ($0.15 per diluted share) were also incurred for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Excluding those items in both years, net income for the fiscal year increased $1.2 million ($0.07 per diluted share) compared to the same period last year. Segment operating income, which excludes those items, was $167.2 million for fiscal year 2015, a decrease of $8.0 million from the prior year. That reduction was primarily attributable to this year’s lower sales volumes, partially mitigated by a reduction in selling, general, and administrative costs. Revenues of $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2015 declined 11% compared with the previous year, driven mainly by those lower overall volumes and modestly lower green leaf costs. Flue-cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations Other Regions Operating income for the Other Regions segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, was $125.8 million, down 6% compared to $133.4 million in the previous fiscal year. The decrease was attributable mainly to reduced sales volumes in all regions along with inventory writedowns, primarily in Africa and South America, reflecting this year’s oversupply market conditions. The impact of those factors was somewhat mitigated by improved gross margins, particularly in Brazil, where volatile markets increased green leaf costs last year, as well as benefits from lower selling, general and administrative costs. Results for Europe were also negatively influenced by currency translation effects from a stronger U.S. dollar. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the segment declined for the fiscal year, mostly from lower currency remeasurement and exchange losses in the Philippines and Brazil, lower provisions for supplier advances, and positive comparisons of value-added tax valuation allowances, partly offset by higher customer claims. Revenues for the segment were down about 10% to $1.7 billion, on reduced volumes and lower average green leaf prices. North America Operating income for the North America segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was $31.1 million, up $7.8 million compared with the previous year, on increased third party processing business and a more favorable sales mix, despite lower overall sales volumes. Revenues for the segment for fiscal year 2015 decreased by 13% to $305.0 million on reduced sales volumes and lower green leaf prices. Selling, general, and administrative costs for this segment were relatively flat for fiscal year 2015. Other Tobacco Operations For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the Other Tobacco Operations segment operating income was down $8.2 million to $10.3 million compared with the same period of the prior year. Results for the dark tobacco operations contributed significantly to the decline, as lower sales volumes, in part due to shipment timing, were partially mitigated by favorable currency remeasurement comparisons, mainly in Indonesia. Results for the special services group also contributed to the decline, reflecting startup costs for the new food ingredients business. However, results from the oriental joint venture improved for the fiscal year despite sales volume declines influenced by shipment timing comparisons. The impact from the volume declines was more than offset by favorable variances from the prior year’s currency remeasurement losses and lower selling, general and administrative costs. Revenues for the segment were down by $34.3 million to $227.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2015, compared to the previous year, primarily attributable to the lower volumes for the dark tobacco operations, as well as lower overall volumes and the timing of shipments of oriental tobaccos into the United States. 19 Other Items Cost of goods sold decreased by about 12% to $1.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, consistent with lower overall sales volumes and lower green leaf prices compared with the previous year. Selling, general, and administrative costs decreased by $11.8 million for fiscal year 2015, compared with fiscal year 2014. The decline for the fiscal year was primarily related to lower currency remeasurement and exchange costs, provisions for suppliers, and value-added tax allowances, partly offset by higher customer claims. Interest expense of $17.1 million for fiscal year 2015 declined by about 16%, compared to the prior fiscal year. The reduction was mostly due to lower average interest rates during the period, offset in part by slightly higher average debt balances. The consolidated effective income tax rates on pretax earnings were approximately 24% and 33% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income taxes for fiscal year 2015 were reduced by a non-recurring benefit of $8.0 million arising from the partial payment of the European Commission fine by our Italian subsidiary in June 2014. Excluding that item, the consolidated effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 was about 29%. The rates for both years, excluding adjustments, were below the 35% federal statutory rate mainly because of the effect of changes in exchange rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as well as lower effective rates on dividend income from certain foreign subsidiaries. On December 30, 2014, the Company executed a new senior unsecured credit facility agreement with a group of banks, which consolidated and extended maturities of its previous short-term revolving credit and long-term borrowing facilities. The new agreement includes a $430 million five-year revolving credit facility, a $150 million five-year term loan, and a $220 million seven- year term loan. The revolving credit facility contains terms and conditions that are substantially similar to the Company’s previous revolving credit facility. The term loans, which were fully funded at closing, require no amortization and are prepayable without penalty prior to maturity. The facilities include a customary accordion feature allowing for additional borrowings of up to $100 million under certain conditions. Currently, borrowings under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50% to 1.75%. The Company subsequently entered interest rate swap agreements to fix the variable interest component of the five- and seven-year term loans to 1.44% and 1.73%, respectively. The effective rates on the five- and seven-year term loans were 2.94% and 3.48%, respectively, as of May 18, 2015. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013 Net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, was $149.0 million, or $5.25 per diluted share, compared with net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, of $132.8 million, or $4.66 per diluted share. Fiscal year 2014’s results included a gain in the first fiscal quarter of $81.6 million before tax ($53.1 million after tax, or $1.87 per diluted share), from the favorable outcome of litigation in Brazil related to previous years’ excise tax credits. The annual results also included pretax restructuring costs of $6.7 million ($0.15 per share) and $4.1 million ($0.06 per share) for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. Segment operating income, which excludes those items, was $175.2 million for fiscal year 2014, a decrease of $57.6 million from the prior year. That reduction was primarily attributable to weaker margins in Brazil from higher green leaf costs, increased currency remeasurement and exchange costs, and the higher sales of carryover and uncommitted inventories in fiscal year 2013. Revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal year 2014 were up 3.3% compared with revenues for fiscal year 2013, as slightly lower volumes were offset by higher prices. Flue-cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations Other Regions Within our flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations, operating income for our Other Regions segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, declined by 31% to $133.4 million compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The reduction was driven primarily by results in South America, on lower volumes from fewer carryover shipments and weaker margins from higher green leaf prices. Africa results were negatively impacted by a less favorable product mix despite increased shipment volumes from larger current crops. The weaker results in those regions were partly mitigated by improved results in Europe as well as in Asia, where trading volumes were higher. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the segment were significantly higher for fiscal year 2014, mostly due to unfavorable net foreign currency remeasurement and exchange comparisons, as losses in fiscal year 2014 compared to gains in fiscal year 2013, mostly in Africa, South America, and Asia. Revenues for this segment for fiscal year 2014 increased by about 3% to $1.9 billion compared with fiscal year 2013, reflecting modestly reduced volumes and higher green leaf prices. North America Operating income for our North America segment for fiscal year 2014 was $23.2 million, up $3.5 million compared with fiscal year 2013, on a more favorable product mix and lower overheads, including postretirement benefit costs. Revenues for this segment increased 4% to $348.6 million on a combination of reduced volumes, higher green leaf costs, and improved product mix. 20 Other Tobacco Operations In our Other Tobacco Operations segment, operating income was down $2.0 million to $18.5 million for fiscal year 2014, compared with the comparable period of fiscal year 2013, primarily due to lower results for the oriental joint venture. In fiscal 2014, the oriental business achieved higher revenues and reduced operating expenses which were more than offset by large currency remeasurement and exchange losses from the devaluation of the Turkish lira. Our dark tobacco operations saw earnings improvements from a better product mix for fiscal year 2014, although these benefits were nearly offset by higher foreign currency remeasurement and exchange losses, mainly from the Indonesian rupiah. Revenues for this segment increased by about 2% to $261.3 million for fiscal year 2014. Higher volumes attributable to the timing of shipments of oriental tobaccos into the United States, combined with lower volumes in the dark tobacco operations, drove the revenue change. Other Items Cost of goods sold increased by about 5% to $2.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, reflecting higher green leaf costs compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. Selling, general, and administrative costs increased by $26.7 million for fiscal year 2014, compared with fiscal year 2013. The large increase for fiscal year 2014 was primarily related to unfavorable comparisons from currency remeasurement and exchange losses, which amounted to $20.3 million compared with gains of $9.6 million in fiscal year 2013. Interest expense of $20.3 million for fiscal year 2014 declined by about 8%, compared to fiscal year 2013. The reduction was mostly due to lower average debt levels and interest rates during the period. The consolidated effective income tax rates on pretax earnings were approximately 33% and 32% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The rates for both periods were lower than the 35% federal statutory rate mainly because of the effect of changes in exchange rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as well as lower effective rates on dividend income from certain foreign subsidiaries. In the first fiscal quarter of 2014, we recorded an $81.6 million gain resulting from the favorable conclusion during the quarter of a longstanding lawsuit challenging the Brazilian government’s denial of our rights to claim certain excise tax credits generated in previous years. The outcome of the case entitles us to the previously denied excise tax credits, as well as additional credits for interest from the dates the tax credits should have been available (approximately $104 million at the date the lawsuit was concluded). All avenues of appeal by either party were exhausted, and we are now permitted to utilize the total amount of the credits to offset future federal tax obligations for a period of up to five years. The amount of the gain, which is reported in Other Income, reflects our current estimate of the actual tax credits that are likely to be realized before they expire. On October 15, 2013, we repaid at maturity $200 million principal amount of 5.2% medium term notes. Subsequently, we entered into a $175 million senior term loan agreement with a group of banks. The loan is unsecured and matures in five years. Loans outstanding under the agreement currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% and may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. The financial covenants under the new term loan agreement are substantially similar to those of our $450 million senior unsecured committed revolving credit facility, including maintaining a minimum level of tangible net worth and observing limits on debt levels. Accounting Pronouncements We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2014. The new guidance requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income unless the amounts are not reclassified in their entirety to net income. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, companies are required to cross-reference other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. Since the new guidance requires additional disclosures only, it did not have any impact on our results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. The required disclosures are provided in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes substantially all of the current revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). ASU 2014-09 was developed under a joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to improve and converge the existing revenue recognition accounting guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards. Under ASU 2014-09, the central underlying principle is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers at an amount determined by the consideration a company expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance outlines a five-step process for determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized from those arrangements. It is more principles-based than the existing guidance under U.S. GAAP, and therefore is expected to require more management judgment and involve more estimates than the current guidance. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including all interim periods within the year of adoption. However, the FASB has recently proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method 21 that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. Assuming the proposed one-year deferral of the effective date is issued by the FASB as expected, we would expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective April 1, 2018, which is the beginning of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not made any decision on the method of adoption. 22 Overview LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Our working capital requirements in fiscal year 2015 were lower compared to fiscal year 2014 primarily due to lower crop purchase volumes and green tobacco prices. However, market oversupply conditions, which delayed purchasing, processing, and crop shipments this year, extended the duration of our working capital needs in most origins. We generated $226.5 million in net cash flows to fund our operating activities during the fiscal year, and our liquidity was sufficient to meet our needs. We also continued our conservative financial policies, maintained our discipline on using our free cash flow, and returned funds to shareholders. Our liquidity and capital resource requirements are predominately short-term in nature and primarily relate to working capital required for tobacco crop purchases. Working capital needs are seasonal within each geographic region. The geographic dispersion and the timing of working capital needs permit us to predict our general level of cash requirements, although crop sizes, prices paid to farmers, shipment and delivery timing, and currency fluctuations affect requirements each year. Peak working capital requirements are generally reached during the first and second fiscal quarters. Each geographic area follows a cycle of buying, processing, and shipping tobacco, and in many regions we also provide agricultural materials to farmers during the growing season. The timing of the elements of each cycle is influenced by such factors as local weather conditions and individual customer shipping requirements, which may change the level or the duration of crop financing. Despite a predominance of short-term needs, we maintain a portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk. We also periodically have large cash balances that we utilize to meet our working capital requirements. We believe that our financial resources are adequate to support our capital needs for at least the next twelve months. Our seasonal borrowing requirements primarily relate to purchasing crops in South America and Africa and can increase from March to September by more than $300 million. The funding required can vary significantly depending upon such factors as crop sizes, the price of leaf, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, and the timing of shipments and customer payments. We deal with this uncertainty by maintaining substantial credit lines and cash balances. In addition to our operating requirements for working capital, we expect to spend around $60 to $65 million during fiscal year 2016 for capital expenditures to maintain our facilities, complete the construction of a new manufacturing facility for our food ingredients business, and invest in opportunities to grow and improve our tobacco business. We also expect to provide about $12 million in funding to our pension plans. We have no long-term debt maturing before fiscal year 2020. 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 generated about $226.5 million in operating cash flows in fiscal year 2015. That amount was about $230 million higher than the $3.5 million we required during the same period last fiscal year, primarily due to lower crop purchase volumes and green leaf prices. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we increased our cash balances by $85.3 million, spent $58.4 million on capital projects, returned $94.9 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and repurchases of our common and preferred stock, and refinanced a major portion of our capital structure, extending our debt maturities. At March 31, 2015, cash balances totaled $248.8 million. Working Capital Working capital at March 31, 2015, was about $1.4 billion, up $145.4 million from last year's level. The $85.3 million increase in cash and cash equivalents was partially offset by fewer advances to suppliers on smaller anticipated 2015 crops, down $19.7 million. We extended our debt maturities as part of our $800 million refinancing in December 2014 and, as a result, we have no principal payments due on our long-term debt over the next twelve months. Tobacco inventories of $636.5 million at March 31, 2015, were relatively flat compared to inventory levels at the end of the prior fiscal year. 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 often obligated to buy all stalk positions, which may contain less marketable leaf styles. Our uncommitted tobacco inventories decreased by approximately $20.3 million to $151.1 million, or about 24% of tobacco inventory, at March 31, 2015. Uncommitted inventories at March 31, 2014, were $171.4 million, which represented 27% of tobacco inventory. The level of these uncommitted inventories is influenced by timing of farmer deliveries of new crops, as well as the timing of customer deliveries. In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, following our unsuccessful appeal, we paid the European Commission fine related to market activities in Italy. In order to stay execution during the appeals process, we had put in place a bank guarantee in favor of the Commission in the amount of the fine plus accumulated interest and had collateralized that guarantee with a bank deposit. Following payment of the fine and the return of the bank deposit, other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses were each reduced by approximately $54 million. 23 Share Repurchase Activity Our Board of Directors approved our current share repurchase program in November 2013. The program expires in November 2015 and authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of our common and preferred stock. Under the authorization, we may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. During fiscal year 2015, we purchased 719,993 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $31.2 million (average price per share of $43.37) and 1,509 shares of preferred stock at an aggregate cost of $1.5 million (average price per share of $992.27). In determining our level of common share repurchase activity, our intent is to use only cash available after meeting our anticipated capital investment, dividend, and working capital requirements. Repurchases of shares under the repurchase program may vary based on management discretion, as well as changes in cash flow generation and availability. At March 31, 2015, our available authorization under our current share repurchase program was $67.3 million, and approximately 22.6 million common shares and 218,490 preferred shares were outstanding. Capital Spending Our capital expenditures are generally limited to those that add value, replace or maintain equipment, increase efficiency, or position us for future growth. In deciding where to invest capital resources, we look for opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return, leverage our assets and expertise, and enhance our farmer base. Our capital expenditures totaled $58.4 million in fiscal year 2015 and $45.8 million in fiscal year 2014. Increased capital spending in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 is attributable mainly to production expansion projects in Africa and construction of our new manufacturing facility for our food ingredients business. Depreciation expense was approximately $35.4 million and $37.3 million, respectively, in each of fiscal years 2015 and 2014. Generally, our routine capital spending is at a level below depreciation expense in order to maintain strong cash flow. However, from time to time, we undertake projects that increase spending beyond those limits when we identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, add value for our customers, and position ourselves for future growth. We currently plan to spend approximately $60 to $65 million in fiscal year 2016 on capital projects for maintenance of our facilities, completion of the new manufacturing facility for our food ingredients business, and other investments to grow and improve our tobacco business. Outstanding Debt and Other Financing Arrangements We consider the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including the current portion), and customer advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also consider our net debt plus shareholders' equity to be our net capitalization. Net debt decreased by $60.2 million to $211.3 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The decrease primarily reflects higher cash balances, partially offset by higher debt levels. Net debt as a percentage of net capitalization was approximately 13% at March 31, 2015, down from 16% at March 31, 2014, and it remains lower than our target range for peak borrowings of 30% to 40% of net capitalization. In December 2014, we entered into a new bank credit agreement that established a five-year committed revolving credit facility of $430 million, a funded $150 million five-year term loan, and a funded $220 million seven-year term loan. Both term loans require no amortization and may be prepaid without penalty prior to maturity. The new revolving credit facility replaced a $450 million revolving credit facility that would have matured in November 2016. We concurrently repaid $248.8 million outstanding on term loans under previous bank credit facilities and approximately $120 million in borrowings under the previous revolving credit facility. In addition, on December 1, 2014, we repaid at maturity our $100 million 6.25% medium-term note using cash on hand and revolver borrowings. The financial covenants under the new revolving credit facility are similar to those of the previous facility and require us to maintain certain levels of tangible net worth and observe restrictions on debt levels. As of March 31, 2015, we had no borrowings under the revolving credit facility, and we were in compliance with all covenants of our debt agreements. As of March 31, 2015, we, together with our consolidated affiliates, had approximately $388 million in uncommitted lines of credit, of which approximately $328 million were unused and available to support seasonal working capital needs. We also have an active, undenominated universal shelf registration filed with the SEC in November 2014, that provides for future issuance of additional debt or equity securities. We have no long-term debt maturing in fiscal year 2016. Derivatives From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. Upon repayment of outstanding term loans in December 2014, we terminated $74 million notional amount of swap agreements. The fair value of these swap agreements was a liability of approximately $0.6 million. In January 2015, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that convert the variable benchmark LIBOR rate on the new term loans entered into in December 2014 to a fixed rate. With the swap agreements in place, the effective interest rates on the $150 million five-year term loan and the $220 million seven-year term loan were 2.95% and 3.49%, respectively, as of March 31, 2015. These agreements were entered into to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on our variable-rate five- and seven-year term loans and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the swap agreements, we receive variable rate interest and pay fixed rate interest. At March 31, 2015, the fair value of our open interest rate hedge swaps was a net liability of approximately $3 million . 24 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 local currency there. We generally account for our hedges of forecast tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2015, the fair value of those open contracts was a net liability of approximately $0.3 million. We also had other forward contracts outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was a net asset of approximately $5 million at March 31, 2015. 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 plan increased by $10 million during fiscal year 2015 to $204 million, as contributions and asset returns exceeded benefit payments. Following the changes to the plan benefit formula during fiscal year 2014, the accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) were both approximately $230 million as of March 31, 2015. 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 $12 million to our pension plans, including $5 million to our ERISA-regulated plan, during the next year. It is our policy to regularly 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, 2015, were as follows: (in thousands of dollars) Total 2016 2017-2018 2019-2020 After 2020 Notes payable and long-term debt (1) .......................................................................... $ 503,423 $ 72,912 $ 24,114 $ 173,012 $ 233,385 Operating lease obligations ........................................................................................ 40,529 10,826 13,975 7,738 7,990 Inventory purchase obligations: Tobacco .................................................................................................................... 891,667 555,488 336,179 Agricultural materials............................................................................................... Other purchase obligations......................................................................................... 42,017 23,636 42,017 23,636 — — — — — — — — Total.......................................................................................................................... $ 1,501,272 $ 704,879 $ 374,268 $ 180,750 $ 241,375 (1) Includes interest payments. Interest payments on $429.9 million of variable rate debt were estimated based on rates as of March 31, 2015. The Company has entered interest rate swaps that effectively convert the interest payments on the $370.0 million outstanding balance of its two bank term loans from variable to fixed. The fixed rate has been used to determine the contractual interest payments for all periods. 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 43% 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 $115 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2015. 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, 2015, we were contingently liable under those guarantees for outstanding balances of approximately $17 million (including accrued interest), and we had recorded a liability of approximately $2 million for the fair value of those guarantees. As tobacco is purchased and the related bank loans are repaid, our contingent liability is reduced. 25 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, risks, and financial condition. We believe, given current facts and circumstances, that 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, 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 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $18.6 million, $7.6 million, and $1.5 million, respectively. The higher levels of inventory write-downs for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 generally reflect the effects of oversupply conditions in the global leaf tobacco markets. Advances to Suppliers and Guarantees of Bank Loans to Suppliers In many sourcing origins, we provide tobacco growers with 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. In several origins, we have also made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In Brazil, we also guarantee bank 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 those cases, 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. At March 31, 2015, the gross balance of advances to suppliers totaled approximately $156 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $35 million. The fair value of the loan guarantees for farmers in Brazil was a liability of approximately $2 million at March 31, 2015. 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 may be 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, 2015, the gross balance of recoverable tax credits (primarily VAT) totaled approximately $60 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $23 million. 26 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. As permitted under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”), at March 31, 2015, we elected to base our initial assessment of potential impairment on qualitative factors. Those factors did not indicate any impairment of our recorded goodwill. Prior to fiscal year 2015, we followed the quantitative approach in ASC 350 in assessing the fair value of our goodwill, which involved the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP). The calculations in these models were not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore required significant management judgment with respect to operating earnings growth rates and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. Significant adverse changes in our operations or our estimates of future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill, such as those caused by unforeseen events or changes in market conditions, could result in an impairment charge. Over 90% of our goodwill balance 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. 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 trading securities. Money market funds are valued based on net asset value (“NAV”), which is computed based on amortized cost (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). 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 $2 million at March 31, 2015, 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, 2015, a 1% increase in the expected loss percentage for all guaranteed farmer loans would not have had a material effect on the fair value of the guarantee obligation. In addition, 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, 2015. 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. 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. We have no undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently or indefinitely reinvested. We assume that all undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries will be repatriated back to their parent entities in the United States where the funds are best placed to meet our cash flow requirements. In addition, we strive to mitigate economic, political, and currency risk by following a disciplined annual approach to the distribution of excess capital back to the U.S. Based on these assumptions, in our income tax expense for each reporting period we fully provide for all additional U.S. income taxes that are expected to be due on these distributions. 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. 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 27 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. 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. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans The measurement of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and costs at the end of each fiscal year requires that we make various assumptions that are used by our actuaries in estimating the present value of projected future benefit payments to all plan participants. Those assumptions take into consideration the likelihood of potential future events such as salary increases and demographic experience. The assumptions we use may have an effect on the amount and timing of future contributions to our plans. The plan trustee conducts an independent valuation of the fair value of pension plan assets. The significant assumptions used in the calculation of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are: • Discount rate – The discount rate is based on investment yields on a hypothetical portfolio of actual long-term corporate bonds rated AA that align with the cash flows for our benefit obligations. • 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 industry group annuity mortality tables which are updated to reflect projected improvements in life expectancy. • 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. From one fiscal year to the next, the rates we use for each of the above assumptions may change based on market developments and other factors. The discount rate reflects prevailing market interest rates at the end of the fiscal year when the benefit obligations are actuarially measured and will increase or decrease based on market patterns. The expected long-term return on plan assets may change based on changes in investment strategy for plan assets or changes in indicated longer-term yields on specific classes of plan assets. Based on the high percentage of retired and inactive participants in our ERISA-regulated domestic defined benefit pension plan (approximately 75% of total participants), as well as the high funded status of the plan, the Pension Investment Committee adopted changes to the underlying plan assets during fiscal year 2015 to move toward a liability-driven investment strategy. We reduced our expected long-term return on assets assumption by 50 basis points at March 31, 2015 to reflect those changes. We also adopted updated mortality tables at March 31, 2015 based on recently-completed actuarial studies that reflect improvements in life expectancy. In addition to the changes in actuarial assumptions from year to year, actual plan experience affecting our benefit obligations, such as actual returns on plan assets and actual mortality experience, will differ from the assumptions used to measure the obligations. The effects of these changes and differences increase or decrease the obligation we record for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans, and they also create gains and losses that are accumulated and amortized over future periods, thus affecting the expense we recognize for these plans over those periods. These effects may be significant. For example, between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2013, the discount rates used to measure the obligations for our domestic benefit plans declined by more than 3.50%, reflecting the significant decline in interest rates and bond yields in the U.S. market. Over this period, our related benefit obligation increased by more than $100 million (approximately 50%) and our annual expense increased by more than $4 million (more than 40%). The reduction in discount rates accounted for a large portion of the increase in the benefit obligation and annual expense. In fiscal year 2014, the discount rates used to determine the benefit obligations and related expense increased slightly, 28 reversing a portion of the effects seen from fiscal years 2009 through 2013. However, our benefit obligations increased again in fiscal year 2015 due to a decrease in discount rates, along with the adoption of the updated mortality tables. As of March 31, 2015, the effect of the indicated increase or decrease in the selected pension and other postretirement benefit valuation assumptions is shown below. The effect assumes no change in benefit levels. (in thousands of dollars) Changes in Assumptions for Pension Benefits Discount Rate: Effect on 2015 Projected Benefit Obligation Increase (Decrease) Effect on 2016 Annual Expense Increase (Decrease) 1% increase ............................................................................................................................................................................... $ (29,654) $ 1% decrease .............................................................................................................................................................................. 36,171 Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets: 1% increase ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1% decrease .............................................................................................................................................................................. Changes in Assumptions for Other Postretirement Benefits Discount Rate: 1% increase ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1% decrease .............................................................................................................................................................................. Healthcare Cost Trend Rate: 1% increase ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1% decrease .............................................................................................................................................................................. — — (3,813) 4,591 1,300 (1,191) (2,668) 3,189 (1,792) 1,791 (173) (1) 69 (64) A 1% increase or decrease in the salary scale assumption would not have a material effect on the projected benefit obligation or on annual expense for the Company's pension benefits. 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 and 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. 29 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, competitive operations. We continually monitor issues and opportunities that may impact the supply of and demand for leaf tobacco, the volumes of leaf tobacco that we handle, and the services we provide. Supply Crops sold in fiscal year 2015 were larger than in the prior fiscal year in many of our key sourcing areas for flue-cured and burley tobacco. Flue-cured production outside of China was up approximately 10%, and burley production was up approximately 9%. The larger crops followed increases in crop sizes in fiscal year 2014 and contributed to an oversupply of tobacco in fiscal year 2015. Crop sizes for flue-cured, burley and oriental tobaccos available for export are expected to decrease in fiscal year 2016. However, we expect total production levels in fiscal year 2016 will continue to exceed demand. Production Worldwide flue-cured tobacco production outside of China increased by about 10% in fiscal year 2015 to 2.2 billion kilos. China is an extremely large market that is predominately domestic. Because very little of that tobacco is available outside of that country to trade, we generally exclude Chinese crops when we consider worldwide production. However, the current buildup of domestic stocks in China is quite significant, and may influence the global supply/demand balance due to efforts to reduce production and imports there. Burley crops increased by about 9% in fiscal year 2015. We estimate that at March 31, 2015, industry uncommitted flue-cured and burley inventories totaled about 131 million kilos, an increase of about 176% from March 31, 2014 levels. We believe flue-cured production (excluding China) will decrease by about 9%, to about 2.0 billion kilos, in fiscal year 2016. Burley production is forecast to decrease by about 12%. We also believe that oriental tobacco as a whole has moved into a balanced position. We forecast that dark air-cured production will remain flat in fiscal year 2016. Looking forward beyond 2016, we believe that global tobacco production will remain relatively stable to meet slightly declining total demand. South America, Asia, Africa, and North America will remain key sourcing regions for flue-cured and burley tobaccos. Over the last decade, Africa has experienced growth in flue-cured and burley tobacco production of almost 250 million kilos. We expect Africa to continue to be an important tobacco source and to lead tobacco production growth outside of China. Pricing Factors that affect green tobacco prices include global supply and demand, market conditions, production costs, foreign exchange rates, and competition from other crops. We work with farmers to maintain tobacco production and to secure product at price levels that are attractive to both the farmers and our customers. Our objective is to secure compliant tobacco that is produced in a cost-effective manner under a sustainable business model with the desired quality for our customers. In some areas, tobacco competes with agricultural commodity products for farmer production. If prices for soybeans, wheat, rice, and seed oils rise in certain origins, green tobacco prices may have to rise to maintain tobacco production levels. This could be a factor in efforts of the WHO to shift farmer production away from leaf tobacco to other crops. In the past, leaf shortages in specific markets or on a worldwide basis have also led to green tobacco price increases. Demand Over the last three decades, the percentage of the global population that smokes has fallen, but the number of smokers has increased due to global population growth. Industry data also shows that over the past ten years, total world consumption of cigarettes grew at the compound annual rate of 0.3%, including annual growth of about 3.0% in China. Outside China, consumption fell by about 1.4% during the ten-year period. However, there are indications that growth in world consumption of cigarettes may have peaked and that the rate of growth is slowing in some key areas, particularly China. We expect that near term global demand for leaf tobacco will decline slightly primarily due to declining cigarette consumption in developed markets partially offset by modest growth in consumption in emerging markets (Asia, the Middle East, and Africa), influenced by demographic trends such as population growth and increasing disposable income. Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured and burley tobaccos. Those types of tobacco, along with oriental tobaccos, are used in American-blend cigarettes which are primarily smoked in Western Europe and the United States. English-blend cigarettes which use flue-cured tobacco are mainly smoked in Asia and other emerging markets. Industry data shows that consumption of American-blend cigarettes has declined at a compound annual rate of 2.2% for the ten years ended in 2014. As cigarette consumption declines in developed markets and increases in the emerging markets, there may be less demand for burley and oriental tobaccos and more demand for flue-cured tobacco. However, demand is affected by many factors, including regulation, product taxation, illicit trade, alternative tobacco products, and Chinese imports. To the extent that domestic leaf production in China does not meet requirements for Chinese cigarette brands, those styles of tobacco could be sourced from other origins where we have major market positions. On a year-to-year basis, we are also susceptible to fluctuations in leaf supply due to crop sizes and leaf demand as manufacturers adjust inventories or respond to changes in cigarette markets. Recent declines in some of our customers’ sales volumes 30 in the U.S. and Western European markets, partially due to weak economic conditions, reduced demand for leaf tobacco in fiscal year 2015. Despite modest curbs in projected crop year 2015 leaf tobacco production, we currently expect oversupply conditions will continue into fiscal year 2016, as we believe that packed tobacco inventories and production levels need to come down further to match demand. We also sell dark tobacco which is used in cigars and other smokeless products. We expect demand for this category of tobacco to also decline slightly. Regulation and Product Taxation Decreased social acceptance of smoking and increased pressure from anti-smoking groups have had an ongoing adverse effect on the percentage of the population using tobacco products, particularly in the United States and Western Europe. Also, many 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 and offers guidelines for discouraging or controlling tobacco use. Countries that are parties to the FCTC may choose the level of implementation of the guidelines that is most suitable with their approach to tobacco control. 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, as well as shifts to modified risk tobacco products brought about by existing or future governmental laws and regulations, could reduce demand for leaf tobacco and services and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, certain recommendations by the WHO, through the FCTC, may cause shifts in customer usage of certain types and styles of tobacco. As seen in Canada, Brazil, and the European Union, efforts have been taken to eliminate flavorings from tobacco products. Such decisions could cause a change in requirements for certain tobaccos 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. Furthermore, instruction at the farm level may be required to produce the changing styles of tobacco needed by tobacco product manufacturers. Given our established and well-developed programs at the farm level worldwide, we are particularly well positioned to meet manufacturer requirements. In 2009, the U.S. Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“the Act”). This legislation authorizes the FDA to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products. To date, the FDA has banned flavored cigarettes, restricted youth access to tobacco products, banned advertising claims regarding certain tobacco products, established new smokeless tobacco warnings, and issued new cigarette health warnings. In addition, the FDA established the Center for Tobacco Products (“CTP”). The CTP has focused on establishing the scientific foundation and regulatory framework for regulating tobacco products in the United States and on April 24, 2014, released proposed “deeming” regulations which encompass additional manufactured tobacco products. Under these proposed regulations, tobacco products such as cigars and alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, will be regulated by the FDA. In addition, the proposed regulations require that tobacco product manufacturers provide the FDA with a list of ingredients in their products. It may take several years for the proposed regulations to be finalized and implemented. Regulations impacting our customer base that change the requirements for leaf tobacco will inherently impact our business. As discussed, we have established programs that begin at the farm level to assist our customers with raw material information to support leaf traceability and customer testing requirements. Additionally, given our global presence, we also have the ability to source different types and styles of tobacco for our customers should their needs change due to regulation of ingredients. A number of governments, particularly federal and local governments in the United States and the European Union, 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. Increases in product taxation may have an influence on the level of illicit trade, which will affect the global leaf markets. Illicit Trade Illicit trade is another factor which influences demand for leaf tobacco. Industry estimates of the illegal, unregulated black market for cigarettes are approximately 10% of global consumption, or one in every 10 cigarettes consumed. The European Commission estimates that illicit trade in cigarettes costs the European Union over €10 billion annually. We are supportive of industry efforts to eradicate illicit trade. Alternative Tobacco Products Many of the major tobacco product manufacturers have been developing next generation products. These include e- cigarettes, liquid vaporizers, and heat-not-burn products. E-cigarettes and liquid vaporizers use liquid nicotine, which is predominately derived from leaf tobacco, and heat-not-burn products use leaf tobacco. At this time it is unclear as to how these new products will affect demand for leaf tobacco. Our AmeriNic joint venture produces liquid nicotine for the vapor products industry. At this time, regulation of these products as well as consumer acceptance and their influence on smoking trends are unclear, and we continue to monitor industry developments. E-cigarettes and other vapor products are currently primarily consumed in the 31 United States and Western Europe, and it is unclear at this time what effect the consumption of vapor products will have on global demand for leaf tobacco. Current Industry Dynamics Leaf tobacco is sourced directly by product manufacturers, by global leaf suppliers such as ourselves, and by other smaller, mostly regional or local, leaf suppliers. We estimate that, of the flue-cured and burley tobacco grown outside of China, approximately one third is purchased directly by manufacturers, slightly over one third is handled by global leaf suppliers, and the remainder is sourced by the smaller regional or local suppliers. Although we operate in a mature industry, where demand for the end products is slightly declining, we continually look for ways to grow our business. We believe that there are several trends in the industry that could provide opportunities for us to increase our market share and to offer additional services to our customers. Manufacturers naturally seek to mitigate raw materials cost increases, and they are placing increased emphasis on cost containment as they address declining demand. While this is not a new trend, it continues to offer opportunities to us as we bring supply chain efficiencies to the leaf markets. We believe that global leaf suppliers add efficiencies to the markets through economies of scale, as well as through the vital role played in finding buyers for all styles and qualities of leaf tobacco, which achieves overall cost reductions. To understand our business, it is important to note that tobacco is not a commodity product. Flavor and smoking characteristics of tobacco vary based on the type of tobacco and the region where the tobacco is grown. In addition, characteristics of tobacco leaves vary by their position on the stalk of the plant, which means that many different styles and grades of tobacco may be produced in a single tobacco crop. A particular manufacturer, in seeking tobacco for its proprietary blend, may only want and have use for certain leaves of a plant. The leaf tobacco supplier plays a vital role in the industry by finding buyers for all of the leaf grades and styles of tobacco produced in a farmer’s crop. This role helps to eliminate excess tobacco being produced, which improves leaf utilization. In addition to leaf utilization, we bring operational efficiencies to the industry, which in turn help reduce costs. These efficiencies include economical utilization of processing capacity in our facilities, an established and scalable global network of agronomists and technicians helping maintain a stable, productive, and sustainable farmer base, and agronomic and production improvements to optimize leaf yields and qualities. In addition, we are able to offer manufacturers a complete range of services from the field to the delivery of the packed product that benefit from our efficiencies. These services include such things as buying station optimization, processing to specific customer specifications or needs, storage of green or packed leaf tobacco, and logistical services. We have seen an increase in the level of supply chain services, which include direct purchasing, that we provide our customers, notably in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. We believe these moves acknowledge the efficiencies and services that global leaf suppliers bring to the entire supply chain. Several major manufacturers have also indicated to us their interest in reducing sourcing complexity. We believe that these moves are another way for the industry to increase leaf sourcing efficiency and to reduce costs. We maintain a strong presence in all of the major tobacco sourcing areas and believe that any growth in these areas would favor global leaf suppliers such as ourselves. In the future, we expect that increased regulations requiring stringent monitoring and testing of leaf chemistry and compliant sourcing documentation could place greater emphasis on major sourcing areas. As we have said for a number of years, the production of compliant leaf for the tobacco industry continues to grow in importance. To be considered compliant, leaf tobacco must be grown utilizing Good Agricultural Practices. We have long invested significant resources in the programs and infrastructure needed to work with growers to produce compliant leaf and continue to enhance our ability to monitor and demonstrate this compliance for customers. Our Good Agricultural Practices programs educate farmers in such matters as the reduction of non-tobacco related materials, product traceability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. We believe that compliant leaf will continue to be important to our customers and should favor global suppliers who are able to deliver this product. We also believe that a key factor in our ability to perform successfully in this industry is our ability to provide customers with the quality of leaf and the level of service they desire on a global basis at competitive prices, while maintaining a stability of supply. As the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, we add significant value to the supply chain, providing expertise in dealing with large numbers of farmers, efficiently selling various qualities of leaf produced in each crop to a broad global customer base, and delivering products that meet stringent quality and regulatory specifications. We also help stabilize the tobacco markets and influence crop development 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. In addition, we monitor new product developments in the industry to identify areas where we can provide additional value to our customers. 32 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Interest Rates We generally use both fixed and floating interest rate debt to finance our operations. Changes in market interest rates expose us to changes in cash flows for floating rate instruments and to changes in fair value for fixed-rate instruments. We normally maintain a proportion of our debt in both variable and fixed interest rates to manage this exposure, and from time to time we may enter hedge agreements to swap the interest rates. In addition, our customers may pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased on order, which could mitigate a portion of the floating interest rate exposure. We also periodically have large cash balances and may receive deposits from customers, both of which we use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, reducing our financing needs. Excluding our bank term loans, which were converted to fixed-rate borrowings with interest rate swaps in January 2015, debt carried at variable interest rates was approximately $60 million at March 31, 2015. Although a hypothetical 1% change in short-term interest rates would result in a change in annual interest expense of approximately $0.6 million, that amount would be at least partially mitigated by changes in charges to customers. In addition, changes in interest rates affect the calculation of our pension plan liabilities. As rates decrease, the liability for the present value of amounts expected to be paid under the plans increases. Rate changes also affect expense. As of the March 31, 2015 measurement date, a 1% decrease in the discount rate would have increased the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for pensions by $36 million and increased annual pension expense by $3 million. Conversely, a 1% increase in the discount rate would have reduced the PBO by $30 million and reduced annual pension expense by $3 million. 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 increases or decreases 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 $28.8 million in net remeasurement losses in fiscal year 2015, compared to $14.3 million in net remeasurement losses in fiscal year 2014, and $10.6 million in net remeasurement gains in fiscal year 2013. We recognized $17.7 million in net foreign currency transaction gains in fiscal year 2015, compared to net transaction losses of $6.0 million in fiscal year 2014, and net transaction losses of $1.0 million in fiscal year 2013. In addition to foreign exchange gains and losses, we are exposed to changes in the cost of tobacco due to changes in the value of the local currency in relation to the U.S. dollar. We have entered forward currency exchange contracts to hedge against the effects of currency movements on purchases of tobacco to reduce the volatility of costs. In addition, we periodically enter into 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 are 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. We routinely review counterparty risk as part of our derivative program. 33 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Fiscal Year Ended March 31, (in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data) 2015 2014 2013 Sales and other operating revenues ........................................................................................................ $ 2,271,801 $ 2,542,115 $ 2,461,699 Costs and expenses Cost of goods sold ............................................................................................................................... 1,861,527 2,108,824 1,999,282 Selling, general and administrative expenses...................................................................................... Other income ....................................................................................................................................... Restructuring costs .............................................................................................................................. 250,186 (12,676) 4,890 262,013 (81,619) 6,746 235,295 — 4,113 Operating income ................................................................................................................................... 167,874 246,151 223,009 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 ................................................................................. 7,137 576 17,120 158,467 38,006 120,461 (5,853) 114,608 3,897 949 20,307 230,690 75,535 155,155 (6,146) 149,009 5,635 654 22,013 207,285 66,366 140,919 (8,169) 132,750 Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock.......................................... (14,824) (14,850) (14,850) Cost in excess of carrying value on repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock ..................... (36) — — Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders ..................................................... $ 99,748 $ 134,159 $ 117,900 Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders: Basic .................................................................................................................................................... $ Diluted ................................................................................................................................................. $ 4.33 4.06 $ $ 5.77 5.25 $ $ 5.05 4.66 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic .................................................................................................................................................... 23,035,920 23,238.978 23,354.793 Diluted ................................................................................................................................................. 28,221,264 28,392,033 28,478,058 See accompanying notes. 34 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net income ............................................................................................................................................. $ 120,461 $ 155,155 $ 140,919 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes .............................................................................. Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes ..................................................................................... Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes.............................................................................................. Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes ................................................. Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes.................................................... Total comprehensive income ........................................................................................................ Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests................................................... (22,625) (2,603) (1,374) (14,023) (40,625) 79,836 (5,890) 6,480 1,624 483 32,022 40,609 195,764 (5,547) (3,370) 87 (364) 8,803 5,156 146,075 (8,504) Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation ............................................................. $ 73,946 $ 190,217 $ 137,571 See accompanying notes. 35 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands of dollars) Current assets ASSETS March 31, 2015 2014 Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................................................................................................... $ 248,783 $ Accounts receivable, net....................................................................................................................................................... Advances to suppliers, net.................................................................................................................................................... Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates .................................................................................................................. 434,362 114,883 1,907 163,532 468,015 134,621 7,375 Inventories—at lower of cost or market: Tobacco.............................................................................................................................................................................. 636,488 639,812 Other.................................................................................................................................................................................. Prepaid income taxes............................................................................................................................................................ Deferred income taxes.......................................................................................................................................................... 62,195 17,811 36,611 67,219 27,866 22,052 Other current assets .............................................................................................................................................................. 81,570 142,755 Total current assets............................................................................................................................................................ 1,634,610 1,673,247 Property, plant and equipment Land...................................................................................................................................................................................... Buildings .............................................................................................................................................................................. Machinery and equipment .................................................................................................................................................... 16,790 238,372 576,010 831,172 17,275 239,913 562,597 819,785 Less accumulated depreciation.......................................................................................................................................... (525,783) (523,239) Other assets Goodwill and other intangibles ............................................................................................................................................ Investments in unconsolidated affiliates .............................................................................................................................. Deferred income taxes.......................................................................................................................................................... Other noncurrent assets ........................................................................................................................................................ 305,389 296,546 99,146 76,512 6,301 76,515 99,453 95,305 14,562 91,794 258,474 301,114 Total assets......................................................................................................................................................................... $ 2,198,473 $ 2,270,907 36 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued) (in thousands of dollars) Current liabilities LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY March 31, 2015 2014 Notes payable and overdrafts............................................................................................................................................... $ 59,862 $ Accounts payable and accrued expenses ............................................................................................................................. 140,112 Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates...................................................................................................................... Customer advances and deposits ......................................................................................................................................... Accrued compensation......................................................................................................................................................... Income taxes payable........................................................................................................................................................... Current portion of long-term obligations............................................................................................................................. 3,281 30,183 28,232 9,243 — Total current liabilities................................................................................................................................................ 270,913 62,905 212,422 65 15,869 31,772 15,694 116,250 454,977 Long-term obligations............................................................................................................................................................. 370,000 240,000 Pensions and other postretirement benefits............................................................................................................................. Other long-term liabilities....................................................................................................................................................... Deferred income taxes ............................................................................................................................................................ 97,048 36,790 26,628 85,081 34,457 45,500 Total liabilities ............................................................................................................................................................ 801,379 860,015 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, 220,000 shares authorized, 218,490 shares issued and outstanding (219,999 at March 31, 2014)......................................................................... 211,562 213,023 Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,593,266 shares issued and outstanding (23,216,312 at March 31, 2014)........................................................................................................... 206,002 Retained earnings.............................................................................................................................................................. 1,020,155 206,446 993,093 Accumulated other comprehensive loss............................................................................................................................ (74,994) (34,332) Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity....................................................................................................... 1,362,725 1,378,230 Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries.................................................................................................................................. 34,369 32,662 Total shareholders' equity ........................................................................................................................................... 1,397,094 1,410,892 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..................................................................................................................... $ 2,198,473 $ 2,270,907 See accompanying notes. 37 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands of dollars) Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net income ............................................................................................................................................. $ 120,461 $ 155,155 $ 140,919 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation ........................................................................................................................................ Amortization........................................................................................................................................ Provision for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers .................................................. Inventory write-downs ........................................................................................................................ Stock-based compensation expense .................................................................................................... Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain), net ............................................................................... Deferred income taxes......................................................................................................................... Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends ................................................... Gain on favorable outcome of excise tax case in Brazil ..................................................................... Restructuring 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 (used) by operating activities ................................................................................ Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment ......................................................................................... Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ......................................................................... Other, net ............................................................................................................................................. Net cash used by investing activities................................................................................................ Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net ...................................................................................... Issuance of long-term obligations ....................................................................................................... Repayment of long-term obligations................................................................................................... Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests.......................................................................................... Issuance of common stock .................................................................................................................. Repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock .......................................................................... Repurchase of common stock.............................................................................................................. Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock.................................................................... Dividends paid on common stock ....................................................................................................... Debt issuance costs and other.............................................................................................................. Net cash used by financing activities ............................................................................................... Effect of exchange rate changes on cash................................................................................................ Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ............................................................................ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year..................................................................................... 35,394 1,930 3,734 18,612 6,230 28,836 (13,662) (1,075) (12,676) 4,890 (9,272) 49,414 37,751 4,790 (63,257) 14,397 226,497 (58,385) 4,522 (141) (54,004) 2,618 370,000 (356,250) (4,183) 187 (1,497) (31,227) (14,824) (47,337) (3,621) (86,134) (1,108) 85,251 163,532 37,257 1,642 6,705 7,654 6,278 14,322 (2,176) 3,420 (81,619) 6,746 2,251 (89,536) (47,492) 11,391 (27,345) (8,156) (3,503) (45,849) 2,746 1,033 (42,070) (43,727) 175,000 (211,250) (1,971) 457 — (14,145) (14,850) (46,721) (875) 43,408 1,708 1,623 1,523 6,171 (10,579) 11,794 (4,966) — 4,113 (1,174) (5,433) 6,578 18,111 11,167 9,503 234,466 (30,783) 3,534 1,004 (26,245) (18,374) — (16,250) (1,957) 3,949 — (8,481) (14,850) (45,996) — (158,082) (101,959) (677) (204,332) 367,864 (97) 106,165 261,699 367,864 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year....................................................................................... $ 248,783 $ 163,532 $ Supplemental information—cash paid for: Interest ................................................................................................................................................. $ Income taxes, net of refunds................................................................................................................ $ 19,184 46,044 $ $ 25,116 65,511 $ $ 22,027 35,913 See accompanying notes. 38 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 Universal Corporation Shareholders Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Common Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Non- controlling Interests Total Shareholders' Equity Balance at beginning of year .......................................................... $ 213,023 $ 206,446 $ 993,093 $ (34,332) $ 32,662 $ 1,410,892 Changes in preferred and common stock Repurchase of Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ....................................................................... (1,461) Issuance of common stock .................................................... Repurchase of common stock................................................ Accrual of stock-based compensation ................................... Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes ........................................................... 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 ($2.06 per share) ..................................... Repurchase of Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ....................................................................... Repurchase of common stock................................................ Dividend equivalents on RSUs.............................................. Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes ................ Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes........................ Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes ................................ Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes........................................................................ Other changes in noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders..................... — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 187 (6,439) 6,230 (1,076) 654 — — — — — — — 114,608 — — — — — — — — — (14,824) (47,244) (36) (24,788) (654) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (22,662) (2,603) (1,374) (14,023) — — — — — — (1,461) 187 (6,439) 6,230 (1,076) 654 5,853 120,461 — — — — 37 — — — (14,824) (47,244) (36) (24,788) (654) (22,625) (2,603) (1,374) (14,023) — (4,183) (4,183) Balance at end of year .................................................................... $ 211,562 $ 206,002 $ 1,020,155 $ (74,994) $ 34,369 $ 1,397,094 39 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 Universal Corporation Shareholders Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Common Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Non- controlling Interests Total Shareholders' Equity Balance at beginning of year ............................................................ $ 213,023 $ 202,579 $ 918,509 $ (75,540) $ 29,086 $ 1,287,657 Changes in preferred and common stock Issuance of common stock ...................................................... Repurchase of common stock.................................................. Accrual of stock-based compensation ..................................... Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes ............................................................. 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 ($2.02 per share) ....................................... Repurchase of common stock.................................................. Dividend equivalents on RSUs................................................ Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes .................. Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes.......................... Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes .................................. Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes.......................................................................... Other changes in noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders....................... — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 457 (2,049) 6,278 (1,410) 591 — — — — — — 149,009 — — — — — — — — — (14,850) (46,888) (12,096) (591) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 7,079 1,624 483 32,022 — — — — — 457 (2,049) 6,278 (1,410) 591 6,146 155,155 — — — — (599) — — — (14,850) (46,888) (12,096) (591) 6,480 1,624 483 32,022 — (1,971) (1,971) Balance at end of year ...................................................................... $ 213,023 $ 206,446 $ 993,093 $ (34,332) $ 32,662 $ 1,410,892 40 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013 Universal Corporation Shareholders Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Common Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Non- controlling Interests Total Shareholders' Equity Balance at beginning of year ............................................................ $ 213,023 $ 196,135 $ 854,654 $ (80,361) $ 22,539 $ 1,205,990 Changes in preferred and common stock Issuance of common stock ...................................................... Repurchase of common stock.................................................. Accrual of stock-based compensation ..................................... Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes ............................................................. 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 ($1.98 per share) ....................................... Repurchase of common stock.................................................. Dividend equivalents on RSUs................................................ Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes .................. Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes.......................... Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes .................................. Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes.......................................................................... Other changes in noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders....................... — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 3,949 (1,432) 6,171 (2,819) 575 — — — — — — 132,750 — — — — — — — — — (14,850) (46,272) (7,198) (575) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 3,949 (1,432) 6,171 (2,819) 575 8,169 140,919 — — — — (14,850) (46,272) (7,198) (575) (3,705) 335 (3,370) 87 (364) 8,803 — — — 87 (364) 8,803 — (1,957) (1,957) Balance at end of year ...................................................................... $ 213,023 $ 202,579 $ 918,509 $ (75,540) $ 29,086 $ 1,287,657 41 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Preferred Shares Outstanding: Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock: Balance at beginning of year................................................................................................................. 219,999 219,999 219,999 Issuance of convertible perpetual preferred stock ................................................................................ Repurchase of convertible perpetual preferred stock............................................................................ Balance at end of year........................................................................................................................... — (1,509) 218,490 — — — — 219,999 219,999 Common Shares Outstanding: Balance at beginning of year................................................................................................................. 23,216,312 23,343,973 23,257,175 Issuance of common stock .................................................................................................................... 96,947 110,825 Repurchase of common stock ............................................................................................................... (719,993) (238,486) 256,230 (169,432) Balance at end of year........................................................................................................................... 22,593,266 23,216,312 23,343,973 See accompanying notes. 42 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 supplier. The Company conducts business in over 30 countries, primarily in major tobacco-producing 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. The Company received dividends totaling $5.2 million in fiscal year 2015, $6.5 million in fiscal year 2014, and $0.1 million in fiscal year 2013, from companies accounted for under the equity method. 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's 49% ownership interest in Socotab L.L.C. (“Socotab”), a leading processor and leaf merchant of oriental tobaccos with operations located principally in Europe, is the primary investment accounted for under the equity method. The investment in Socotab is an important part of the Company's overall product and service arrangements with its major customers. As discussed further below, the Company reviews the carrying value of its investments in unconsolidated affiliates on a regular basis and considers whether any factors exist that might indicate an impairment in value that is other than temporary. At March 31, 2015, the Company determined that no such factors existed with respect to the investment in Socotab. The Company, together with Socotab management, regularly evaluates the outlook for the business, and an impairment charge could be recorded in a future period if it is determined that the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is not temporary. 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 in the Zimbabwe operations was zero at March 31, 2015 and 2014. 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 2015, 2014, and 2013, there were no changes in the Company’s ownership percentage in any of these subsidiaries. 43 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 review 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 proportional 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 consolidated 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income..................... $ 7,137 $ 3,897 $ Less: Equity in income taxes............................................................................................... Equity in net income ............................................................................................................ Less: Dividends received on investments (1) ........................................................................ (834) 6,303 (5,228) (809) 3,088 (6,508) 5,635 (547) 5,088 (122) Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows..................................................................................................................................... $ 1,075 $ (3,420) $ 4,966 (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. 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 stock 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, are provided in Note 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. 44 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) Advances to Suppliers In many sourcing origins 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 sheets. In several origins, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to suppliers totaled approximately $156 million at March 31, 2015 and $190 million at March 31, 2014. The related valuation allowances totaled $35 million at March 31, 2015, and $46 million at March 31, 2014, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by net provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $3.7 million in fiscal year 2015, $5.5 million in fiscal year 2014, and $1.6 million in fiscal year 2013. 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. Advances on which interest accrual had been discontinued totaled approximately $15 million at March 31, 2015, and $23 million at March 31, 2014. 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. Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At March 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate balances of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $60 million and $66 million, respectively, and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $23 million and $30 million, respectively. The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. 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 primarily 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 and material in amount, 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 2015, 2014, or 2013. 45 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill and other intangibles principally consist of the excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the fair value of the net assets. Goodwill is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”) permits companies to base their initial assessments of potential goodwill impairment on qualitative factors, and the Company elected to use that approach at March 31, 2015. Those factors did not indicate any potential impairment of the Company's recorded goodwill. Prior to fiscal year 2015, the Company followed the quantitative approach in ASC 350, which primarily involved the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy in the accounting guidance). The calculations in these models were normally not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore required significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. 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. Significant adverse changes in the operations or estimated future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill could result in an impairment charge. No charges for goodwill impairment were recorded in fiscal years 2015, 2014, or 2013. 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). No significant charges for impairment of long-lived assets were recorded during fiscal years 2015, 2014, or 2013. 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. Fair Values of Financial Instruments The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations, disclosed in Note 7, approximate their carrying amount since the variable interest rates in the underlying credit agreement reflect the market interest rates that were available to the Company at March 31, 2015. In periods when fixed-rate obligations are outstanding, fair values are 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 fair values of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges and used to fix the variable benchmark rate on outstanding long-term obligations are determined separately and recorded in other long-term liabilities. Except for interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are discussed below, the fair values of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts. 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 manage interest rate risk 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 has not been 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 other comprehensive income or loss. 46 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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 losses of $28.8 million in fiscal year 2015, net remeasurement losses of $14.3 million in fiscal year 2014, and net remeasurement gains of $10.6 million in fiscal year 2013. 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 $17.7 million in fiscal year 2015, net transaction losses of $6.0 million in fiscal year 2014, and net transaction losses of $1.0 million in fiscal year 2013. 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, 2015. 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 stock 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 Effective April 1, 2013, Universal adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” ("ASU 2013-02"). The guidance in ASU 2013-02 requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income unless the amounts are not reclassified in their entirety to net income. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, companies are required to cross-reference other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. Since the guidance requires additional disclosures only, it did not have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. The required disclosures are provided in Note 16. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes substantially all of the current revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). ASU 2014-09 was developed under a joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to improve and converge the existing revenue recognition accounting guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards. Under ASU 2014-09, the central underlying principle is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers at an amount determined by the consideration a company expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance outlines a five-step process for determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized from those arrangements. 47 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) It is more principles-based than the existing guidance under U.S. GAAP, and therefore is expected to require more management judgment and involve more estimates than the current guidance. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including all interim periods within the year of adoption. However, the FASB has recently proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. Assuming the proposed one-year deferral of the effective date is issued by the FASB as expected, Universal would expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective April 1, 2018, which is the beginning of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and has not made any decision on the method of adoption. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. NOTE 2. RESTRUCTURING COSTS During the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, Universal recorded restructuring costs related to various initiatives to adjust certain operations and reduce costs. For all three fiscal years, the restructuring costs incurred primarily related to operations that are part of the Other Regions reportable segment of the Company's flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 During fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded restructuring costs totaling $4.9 million, primarily related to downsizing certain functions at its operations in Brazil and a decision to suspend its operations in Argentina effective December 31, 2014. The decision to discontinue the Argentina operations involved costs for employee termination benefits, as well as costs to exit the Company's business arrangements with a supplier. The remaining restructuring costs primarily related to other downsizing efforts at several locations around the Company. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 In fiscal year 2014, the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil closed a factory and centralized all tobacco processing activities in its primary facility. In connection with this initiative, the Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $4.0 million, including employee termination benefits, costs to relocate personnel and equipment to the main facility, and lease exit costs on the building that housed the closed operations. The remaining costs primarily related to voluntary early retirement arrangements at several locations around the Company. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013 During fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded restructuring costs totaling $4.1 million, primarily related to workforce reductions in one of the Company's operations in Africa. A summary of the restructuring costs incurred during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, is as follows: Employee termination benefits .......................................................................................... Other restructuring costs .................................................................................................... Total restructuring costs incurred................................................................................... $ $ 4,354 $ 3,743 $ 536 3,003 4,890 $ 6,746 $ 4,113 — 4,113 Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 48 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) A reconciliation of the Company’s liability for employee termination benefits and other restructuring costs for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 is as follows: Employee Termination Benefits Other Costs Total Balance at April 1, 2012........................................................................................................ $ 1,271 $ 291 $ 1,562 Fiscal Year 2013 Activity: Costs charged to expense................................................................................................... Payments............................................................................................................................ Balance at March 31, 2013.................................................................................................... Fiscal Year 2014 Activity: Costs charged to expense................................................................................................... Payments............................................................................................................................ Balance at March 31, 2014.................................................................................................... Fiscal Year 2015 Activity: Costs charged to expense................................................................................................... Payments............................................................................................................................ 4,113 (5,002) 382 3,743 (2,099) 2,026 4,354 (5,684) — (291) — 3,003 (2,843) 160 536 (498) Balance at March 31, 2015.................................................................................................... $ 696 $ 198 $ 4,113 (5,293) 382 6,746 (4,942) 2,186 4,890 (6,182) 894 The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2015 will be paid in the early part of fiscal year 2016. Universal continually reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. The Company may incur additional restructuring costs in future periods as business changes occur and additional cost savings initiatives are implemented. 49 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 3. EUROPEAN COMMISSION FINES AND OTHER LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS European Commission Fines in Italy In 2002, the Company reported that it was aware that the European Commission (the "Commission") was investigating certain aspects of the leaf tobacco markets in Italy. One of the Company's subsidiaries, Deltafina, S.p.A. ("Deltafina"), buys and processes tobacco in Italy. The Company reported that it did not believe that the Commission investigation in Italy would result in penalties being assessed against it or its subsidiaries that would be material to the Company’s earnings. The reason the Company held this belief was that it had received conditional immunity from the Commission because Deltafina had voluntarily informed the Commission of the activities that were the basis of the investigation. On December 28, 2004, the Company received a preliminary indication that the Commission intended to revoke Deltafina’s immunity for disclosing in April 2002 that it had applied for immunity. Neither the Commission’s Leniency Notice of February 19, 2002, nor Deltafina’s letter of provisional immunity, contains a specific requirement of confidentiality. The potential for such disclosure was discussed with the Commission in March 2002, and the Commission never told Deltafina that disclosure would affect Deltafina’s immunity. On November 15, 2005, the Company received notification from the Commission that the Commission had imposed fines totaling €30 million 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. In January 2006, the Company and Deltafina each filed appeals in the General Court of the European Union ("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. On September 9, 2011, the General Court issued its decision, in which it rejected Deltafina’s application to reinstate immunity. Deltafina appealed the decision of the General Court to the European Court of Justice, and a hearing was held in November 2012. Effective with the September 9, 2011 General Court decision, the Company recorded a charge for the full amount of the fine (€30 million) plus accumulated interest (€5.9 million). The charge totaled $49.1 million at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the General Court decision. Deltafina previously provided the Commission a bank guarantee in the amount of the fine plus accumulated interest in order to stay execution during the appeals process. In January 2013, the guarantee was fully collateralized with a bank deposit. On June 12, 2014, the European Court of Justice issued its final decision on the matter, in which it rejected Deltafina's application to reinstate immunity. Deltafina and the Company paid the final amount of the fine and interest, approximately €38.9 million ($53.0 million), before June 30, 2014. Upon payment, the bank guarantee was terminated and the related deposit was returned. The payment of the fine and interest did not have a material impact on the Company's or Deltafina's operations. Other Legal and Tax Matters In addition to the above-mentioned matter, various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in other litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities, including the assessments disclosed in Note 14 related to inter-state value added taxes in Brazil. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management’s current expectation, the effect on the Company’s results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material. 50 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: (in thousands, except share and per share data) Basic Earnings Per Share Numerator for basic earnings per share Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net income attributable to Universal Corporation ........................................................................... $ 114,608 $ 149,009 $ 132,750 Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock .............................................................. (14,824) (14,850) (14,850) Less: Cost in excess of carrying value on repurchases of convertible perpetual preferred stock .... (36) — — Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share ............................................................................................. 99,748 134,159 117,900 Denominator for basic earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding............................................................................................... 23,035,920 23,238,978 23,354,793 Basic earnings per share ................................................................................................................... $ 4.33 $ 5.77 $ 5.05 Diluted Earnings Per Share Numerator for diluted earnings per share Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders ............................................... $ 99,748 $ 134,159 $ 117,900 Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed) ....................... 14,824 14,850 14,850 Add: Cost in excess of carrying value on repurchases of convertible perpetual preferred stock.... 36 — — Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share .......................................................................................... 114,608 149,009 132,750 Denominator for diluted earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding............................................................................................... 23,035,920 23,238,978 23,354,793 Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Convertible perpetual preferred stock............................................................................................ 4,843,309 4,821,557 4,796,813 Employee share-based awards ....................................................................................................... 342,035 331,498 326,452 Denominator for diluted earnings per share ..................................................................................... 28,221,264 28,392,033 28,478,058 Diluted earnings per share................................................................................................................ $ 4.06 $ 5.25 $ 4.66 For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company had the following potentially dilutive securities (stock appreciation rights) outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive: Potentially dilutive securities ............................................................................................... 156,200 169,000 Weighted-average exercise price.......................................................................................... $ 61.83 $ 62.66 $ 169,000 62.66 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 51 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES The Company is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company’s earnings, as can the resolution of pending and contested tax issues. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by a number of factors, including the mix of domestic and foreign earnings, the effect of exchange rate changes on deferred taxes, and the Company’s ability to utilize foreign tax credits. Income Tax Expense Income taxes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 consisted of the following: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current United States ..................................................................................................................... $ 4,126 $ 1,433 $ (3,465) State and local ................................................................................................................... Foreign .............................................................................................................................. Deferred United States ..................................................................................................................... State and local ................................................................................................................... Foreign .............................................................................................................................. 657 46,885 51,668 3,352 159 (17,173) (13,662) 507 75,770 77,710 1,686 275 (4,136) (2,175) Total................................................................................................................................ $ 38,006 $ 75,535 $ 682 57,355 54,572 1,746 279 9,769 11,794 66,366 Foreign taxes include U.S. tax expense on earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company has no undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently reinvested. Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Statutory tax rate ................................................................................................................... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% State income taxes, net of federal benefit ............................................................................. Dividends received from deconsolidated operations ............................................................ Effect of exchange rate changes on deferred income taxes .................................................. Tax benefit arising from payment of a portion of the European Commission fine by a subsidiary .............................................................................................................................. Other, including changes in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions......................... 0.3 (1.3) (4.9) (5.0) (0.1) 0.2 (0.9) (1.0) — (0.6) 0.3 (1.5) (1.0) — (0.8) Effective income tax rate ...................................................................................................... 24.0% 32.7% 32.0% During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded a consolidated income tax benefit of $8 million arising from the ability of its subsidiary, Deltafina S.p.A., to pay a significant portion of the European Commission fine and related interest charges in Italy that were settled during that quarter following the unsuccessful appeal of the case involving anti-competitive activities in the Italian tobacco market (see Note 3). Deltafina and Universal Corporation were jointly liable for the amounts imposed by the European Commission. The Company’s initial accrual of the fine and interest in September 2011 assumed that the entire obligation would be paid by Universal Corporation due to uncertainty with respect to Deltafina’s financial capacity to bear any significant portion of the cost upon the eventual settlement and to uncertainty as to when the payment would be made. Deltafina ultimately was able to assume responsibility for approximately $30 million of the total $53 million obligation for the fine and interest when those amounts were paid. Although the portion of the fine paid by Deltafina is not deductible for income tax purposes in Italy, it reduced the subsidiary’s cumulative undistributed earnings and the associated consolidated tax liability, resulting in the $8 million 52 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) benefit in the Company's consolidated income tax provision. This discrete item reduced the effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2015 by 5.0%. Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Other Items The U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes and other items were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 United States ........................................................................................................................ $ 27,181 $ 9,156 $ (4,161) Foreign ................................................................................................................................. 131,286 221,534 211,446 Total................................................................................................................................... $ 158,467 $ 230,690 $ 207,285 Deferred Income Tax Liabilities and Assets Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows: March 31, 2015 2014 Liabilities Foreign withholding taxes................................................................................................................................. $ 34,339 $ Undistributed earnings ...................................................................................................................................... Goodwill ........................................................................................................................................................... All other ............................................................................................................................................................ 14,510 30,851 8,922 Total deferred tax liabilities......................................................................................................................... $ 88,622 $ Assets Employee benefit plans..................................................................................................................................... $ 50,977 $ Reserves and accruals ....................................................................................................................................... Deferred income................................................................................................................................................ Currency translation losses of foreign subsidiaries........................................................................................... Local currency exchange losses of foreign subsidiaries ................................................................................... All other ............................................................................................................................................................ 14,039 5,387 12,167 10,674 9,607 Total deferred tax assets............................................................................................................................... 102,851 Valuation allowance.......................................................................................................................................... (629) Net deferred tax assets ................................................................................................................................. $ 102,222 $ 30,147 23,865 30,851 12,471 97,334 40,816 32,248 4,013 — 207 8,612 85,896 (1,252) 84,644 At March 31, 2015, the Company had no material net operating loss carryforwards in either its domestic or foreign operations. 53 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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 Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Continuing operations........................................................................................................... $ 38,006 $ 75,535 $ Other comprehensive income ............................................................................................... (21,900) 22,190 Direct adjustments to shareholders' equity ........................................................................... (932) (972) Total................................................................................................................................ $ 15,174 $ 96,753 $ 66,366 2,600 (1,052) 67,914 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013, is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year ....................................................... $ 3,809 $ 5,385 $ 7,913 Additions: Related to tax positions for the current year ...................................................................... Related to tax positions for prior years .............................................................................. Reductions: Due to settlements with tax jurisdictions ........................................................................... Due to lapses of statutes of limitations .............................................................................. Related to tax positions for prior years .............................................................................. Effect of currency rate movement...................................................................................... 272 — — (478) (143) (566) 194 168 — (1,776) — (162) Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year.................................................................. $ 2,894 $ 3,809 $ 191 — (66) (2,339) — (314) 5,385 Of the total liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2015, approximately $2.2 million could have an effect on the consolidated effective tax rate if the tax benefits are recognized. The liability for uncertain tax positions includes $0.2 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts could change significantly before March 31, 2016. 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. Amounts accrued or reversed for interest and penalties were not material for any of the fiscal years 2013 through 2015, and liabilities recorded for interest and penalties at March 31, 2015 and 2014 also were not material. 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, 2015, the Company's earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes was its fiscal year ended 2012. Open tax years in state and foreign jurisdictions generally range from 3 to 6 years. 54 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 6. CREDIT FACILITIES Bank Credit Agreements In December 2014, the Company entered into a new senior unsecured bank credit agreement that replaced its previous short- term and long-term borrowing facilities, consolidating and extending the maturities of those facilities. The new bank credit agreement established a $430 million five-year revolving credit facility, along with a $150 million five-year term loan and a $220 million seven- year term loan. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a variable rate based on either (1) LIBOR plus a margin that is based on the Company's credit measures or (2) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, prime rate, or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, each plus a margin. In addition to interest, the Company pays a facility fee on the revolving credit facility. No amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2015. The new credit agreement provides for an expansion of the facility under certain conditions to allow additional borrowings of up to $100 million. Additional information related to the term loans is provided in Note 7. The credit agreement includes financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth and observe limits on debt levels. The Company was in compliance with those covenants at March 31, 2015. 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, 2015 and 2014, approximately $60 million and $63 million, respectively, were outstanding under these uncommitted lines of credit. The weighted-average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, were approximately 2.7% and 3.5%, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the Company and its consolidated affiliates had unused uncommitted lines of credit totaling approximately $328 million. NOTE 7. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS The Company's long-term obligations at March 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: March 31, 2015 2014 Senior bank term loans ...................................................................................................................................... $ 370,000 $ 175,000 Amortizing senior bank term loan..................................................................................................................... Medium-term notes ........................................................................................................................................... — — Total outstanding ........................................................................................................................................... 370,000 81,250 100,000 356,250 Less: current portion.......................................................................................................................................... — (116,250) Long-term obligations ................................................................................................................................... $ 370,000 $ 240,000 As discussed in Note 6, the Company entered into a new bank credit agreement in December 2014 that established a $150 million five-year term loan and a $220 million seven-year term loan. Both term loans were fully funded at closing, and the Company concurrently repaid approximately $250 million aggregate principal amount on term loans outstanding under two previous bank credit facilities and reduced its revolving credit borrowings by approximately $120 million. The term loans require no amortization and are prepayable without penalty prior to maturity. Under the credit agreement, both term loans bear interest at variable rates plus a margin based on the Company's credit measures. However, immediately following closing on the term loans, the Company entered into receive-floating / pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that convert the variable benchmark rate on both loans to a fixed rate over their full terms to maturity. With the swap agreements in place, the effective interest rate on the $150 million five-year loan and the $220 million seven-year loan were 2.94% and 3.48%, respectively, at March 31, 2015. Those effective rates will change only if a change in the Company's credit measures results in adjustments to the applicable credit spreads specified in the underlying loan agreement. The $150 million five-year term loan matures in fiscal year 2020, and the $220 million seven-year term loan matures in fiscal year 2022. As noted above, prior to entering into the new bank credit agreement, the Company had an amortizing term loan and a non- amortizing term loan outstanding under two previous bank credit agreements, as well as $100 million in outstanding medium-term public notes. The medium-term notes were repaid at maturity in December 2014, and the term loans were repaid upon funding of the two new term loans, also in December 2014. The Company terminated its $74 million notional amount receive-floating / pay- fixed interest rate swap agreements on the amortizing term loan upon repayment and paid the $0.6 million fair value of those swaps to the counterparties. The swap termination cost was recorded in interest expense. 55 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) In November 2014, the Company filed an undenominated universal shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the future issuance of an undefined amount of additional debt or equity securities as determined by the Company and offered in one or more prospectus supplements prior to issuance. Disclosures about the fair value of long-term obligations are provided in Note 10. NOTE 8. LEASES The Company’s subsidiaries lease various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, as well as vehicles and equipment used in their operations. Some of the leases have options to extend the lease term at market rates. These arrangements are classified as operating leases for accounting purposes. Rent expense on operating leases totaled $15.8 million in fiscal year 2015, $18.2 million in fiscal year 2014, and $19.3 million in fiscal year 2013. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases total $10.8 million in 2016, $7.8 million in 2017, $6.2 million in 2018, $4.3 million in 2019, $3.4 million in 2020, and $8.0 million after 2020. 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 also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided by operating activities. Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk In January 2015, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on two outstanding non-amortizing bank term loans that were funded as part of a new bank credit facility in December 2014 (see Note 7). Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. At March 31, 2015, the total notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $370 million, which corresponded with the aggregate outstanding balance of the term loans. Previously, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges on an amortizing bank term loan that was repaid concurrent with closing on the new bank credit facility. Those swap agreements, which had an aggregate notional amount of approximately $74 million reflecting the principal balance outstanding on the loan, were terminated upon repayment of the debt. The fair value of the swap agreements, approximately $0.6 million, was paid to the counterparties upon termination and charged to expense. 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. From time to time, the Company enters into forward contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. This strategy offsets the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for tobacco purchases and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged. This hedging strategy has been used mainly for tobacco purchases and processing costs in Brazil. The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered for these purposes during fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013 was as follows: (in millions) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Tobacco purchases ............................................................................................................... $ 105.6 $ 126.1 $ Processing costs ................................................................................................................... 22.9 26.8 Total.................................................................................................................................. $ 128.5 $ 152.9 $ 158.9 34.3 193.2 56 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) All contracts related to tobacco purchases were designated and qualify as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, except for amounts related to any ineffective portion of the hedging strategy or any early de-designation of the hedge arrangement, 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. For substantially all hedge gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2015, the Company expects to complete the sale of the tobacco and recognize the amounts in earnings during fiscal year 2016. At March 31, 2015, 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. Purchases of the 2015 crop are expected to be completed by August 2015, and all forward contracts to hedge those purchases will mature and be settled by that time. 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. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses, the Company enters into forward contracts to buy or sell the local currency at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are generally arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The Company is currently using forward currency contracts to manage its exposure to currency remeasurement risk in Brazil. The total notional amounts of contracts outstanding at March 31, 2015 and 2014, were approximately $80.4 million and $65.9 million, respectively. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries may utilize short-term local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities and thus hedging a portion of the overall position. Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. 57 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements Derivative Effective Portion of Hedge Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss............................................ Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings ............. $ $ (4,044) $ (142) $ (1,470) (1,929) $ (886) $ (910) Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings ................................................................................................................................ Interest expense Ineffective Portion of Hedge Gain (loss) recognized in earnings......................................................................................... $ — $ — $ — Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings ...................................................................... Selling, general and administrative expenses Hedged Item Description of hedged item....................................................................................................... Floating rate interest payments on term loans Cash Flow Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Derivative Effective Portion of Hedge Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss............................................ Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings.................................................................................................................... $ $ 1,410 3,099 $ $ (1,635) $ (8,709) (3,844) $ (8,741) 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......................................................................................... $ 257 $ (1,839) $ (1,325) Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings ...................................................................... Selling, general and administrative expenses Hedged Item Description of hedged item...................................................................................................... Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Gain (loss) recognized in earnings......................................................................................... $ 13,178 $ (6,609) $ (3,115) Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings ...................................................................... Selling, general and administrative expenses For the interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil, a net hedge loss of approximately $0.3 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2015. That balance reflects net losses on contracts related to the 2015 crop. No hedged purchases of 2015 crop tobaccos had been completed and no hedge gain or loss had been reclassified to earnings at March 31, 2015. The majority of the balance in the accumulated other comprehensive loss will be recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold in fiscal year 2016 as the 2015 Brazilian crop tobacco is 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. 58 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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, 2015 and 2014: Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Interest rate swap agreements Forward foreign currency exchange contracts Total Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Forward foreign currency exchange contracts Total Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Balance Sheet Location Fair Value as of March 31, 2015 2014 Other non-current assets Other current assets Other current assets $ — $ — 106 $ 106 $ 1,731 1,731 $ $ 5,148 5,148 $ $ 343 343 Balance Sheet Location Other long-term liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses Fair Value as of March 31, 2015 2014 $ 3,050 $ 936 396 $ 3,446 $ 13 949 $ $ 183 183 $ $ 3,960 3,960 Substantially all of the Company's forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to master netting arrangements, whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets. NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair value for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present. Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy. Level 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. 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. 59 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) At March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy: March 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Money market funds ..................................................................................... $ — $ 86,552 $ — $ Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans ................. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts .............................................. 20,692 — — 5,254 — — 86,552 20,692 5,254 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value......................... $ 20,692 $ 91,806 $ — $ 112,498 Liabilities Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers............................................... $ — $ — $ 1,695 $ Interest rate swap agreements ....................................................................... Forward foreign currency exchange contracts .............................................. — — 3,050 579 — — Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value ................... $ — $ 3,629 $ 1,695 $ 1,695 3,050 579 5,324 March 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Money market funds....................................................................................... $ — $ 1,527 $ — $ Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans................... Forward foreign currency exchange contracts ............................................... 19,754 — — 2,074 — — 1,527 19,754 2,074 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value........................ $ 19,754 $ 3,601 $ — $ 23,355 Liabilities Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers ................................................ $ — $ — $ 2,270 $ Interest rate swap agreements......................................................................... Forward foreign currency exchange contracts ............................................... — — 936 3,973 — — Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value .................. $ — $ 4,909 $ 2,270 $ 2,270 936 3,973 7,179 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 net asset value, which is computed based on amortized cost (Level 2). 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 swap agreements The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 60 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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. Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers The Company guarantees bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil for crop financing and has previously guaranteed loans to those growers for construction of curing barns and other tobacco producing assets, as well as loans to growers in Malawi for crop financing. In the event that the farmers default on their payments to the banks, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of farmer defaults based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value of its guarantees as an obligation in its consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the guarantees is determined using the expected loss data for all loans outstanding at each measurement date. The present value of the cash flows associated with the estimated losses is then calculated at a risk-adjusted interest rate that is aligned with the expected duration of the liability and includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.” Although historical loss data is an observable input, significant judgment is required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans outstanding at each measurement date and in selecting a risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rate could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers are therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below. Balance at beginning of year .............................................................................................................................. Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from the portfolio) ............................................................................................................ Provision for loss or transfers from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)........................................................................................................................................................... Change in discount rate and estimated collection period ................................................................................... Currency remeasurement .................................................................................................................................... Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 $ 2,270 $ 4,235 (2,392) (7,463) 2,320 130 (654) 5,566 130 (198) Balance at end of year......................................................................................................................................... $ 1,674 $ 2,270 During the year ended March 31, 2014, additional loss provisions related to guaranteed loans in Malawi were recorded, and payments were made to third-party banks under those guarantees. Long-term Obligations The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations, including the current portion, was approximately $370 million at March 31, 2015, and $360 million at March 31, 2014. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term obligations using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities. 61 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 and fixed income investments. 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, although postretirement life insurance benefits were discontinued for active employees during fiscal year 2015. 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. 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 for the Company's primary defined benefit plans were as follows: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rates: Benefit cost for plan year........................... Benefit obligation at end of plan year........ 4.50% 3.80% 4.20% 4.50% Expected long-term return on plan assets: Benefit cost for plan year........................... 7.75% 8.00% Benefit obligation at end of plan year........ 7.25% 7.75% Salary scale: Benefit cost for plan year........................... Benefit obligation at end of plan year........ 4.50% 4.50% 5.00% 4.50% Healthcare cost trend rate ............................. N/A N/A 4.60% 4.20% 8.00% 8.00% 5.00% 5.00% N/A 4.10% 3.70% 3.90% 4.30% 4.30% 4.30% 3.00% 4.30% 4.50% 4.50% 5.00% 4.50% 7.20% 7.40% 4.40% 3.90% 4.30% 4.30% 5.00% 5.00% 7.60% Changes in the discount rates in the above table reflect prevailing market interest rates at the end of each fiscal year when the benefit obligations are actuarially measured. The reduction in the expected long-term return on plan assets assumption from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2015 is primarily due to changes in the underlying plan assets. These changes reflect a move toward a liability-driven investment strategy in the Company's ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plan due to the high percentage of retired and inactive participants in the plan and the high funded status of the plan. The healthcare cost trend rate used by the Company is based on a study of medical cost inflation rates that is reviewed annually for continued applicability. The revised trend assumption of 7.20% in 2015 declines gradually to 4.50% in 2028. 62 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 2015 and 2014, as well as the funded status of the plans at March 31, 2015 and 2014: Pension Benefits March 31, Other Postretirement Benefits March 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Actuarial present value of benefit obligation: Accumulated benefit obligation ..................................................................... $ 287,133 $ 258,240 Projected benefit obligation............................................................................ 288,908 259,928 $ 40,863 $ 41,846 Change in projected benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year ............................................. $ 259,928 $ 299,161 $ 41,846 $ 48,970 Service cost..................................................................................................... Interest cost..................................................................................................... Effect of discount rate change ........................................................................ Plan amendment ............................................................................................. 5,099 11,215 30,744 — Foreign currency exchange rate changes........................................................ (6,033) Curtailment..................................................................................................... Settlements ..................................................................................................... — — Other............................................................................................................... 2,879 5,190 12,223 (8,316) (22,145) 22 — (2,136) (2,586) 347 1,699 2,669 — (444) (1,465) — (788) Benefit payments............................................................................................ (14,924) (21,485) (3,001) 527 2,106 (2,483) — — — — (4,282) (2,992) Projected benefit obligation, end of year........................................................ $ 288,908 $ 259,928 $ 40,863 $ 41,846 Change in plan assets: Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year .................................................... $ 213,282 $ 205,942 $ 2,535 $ 2,932 Actual return on plan assets............................................................................ Employer contributions .................................................................................. Settlements ..................................................................................................... Foreign currency exchange rate changes........................................................ Benefit payments............................................................................................ 23,486 8,063 — (5,354) (14,924) 15,758 17,866 (2,136) (2,663) 73 2,508 — — 97 2,498 — — (21,485) (3,001) (2,992) Plan assets at fair value, end of year .............................................................. $ 224,553 $ 213,282 $ 2,115 $ 2,535 Funded status: Funded status of the plans, end of year .......................................................... $ (64,355) $ (46,646) $ (38,748) $ (39,311) The curtailment for other postretirement benefits in fiscal year 2015 was attributable to the discontinuation of postretirement life insurance benefits for active U.S. employees. During fiscal year 2014, the Company amended its ERISA-regulated and non- regulated pension plans in the U.S. to change the benefit formula applied to service periods beginning January 1, 2014, to modify early retirement factors, and to cover on a prospective basis certain employees who did not previously participate in the plans. Due to the significance of the amendments on the benefit obligation for the plans, the Company remeasured the plan's assets and liabilities during the quarter using actuarial assumptions that were updated as of the valuation date. The updated actuarial assumptions included an increase in the discount rate used to calculate the benefit liability, reflecting a general rise in the market interest rates since March 31, 2013. The remeasurement resulted in a prior service benefit of approximately $22 million. During fiscal year 2014, the Company also offered terminated participants in its ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plan who had not yet begun receiving monthly retirement payments the opportunity to receive a lump-sum distribution of their vested benefit. Benefit payments for fiscal year 2014 in the above table include approximately $7.0 million paid to participants who accepted that offer. The Company funds its non-regulated U.S. pension plan, one of its foreign pension plans, and its U.S. postretirement medical plan on a pay-as-you-go basis as the benefit payments are incurred. Those plans account for approximately 60% of the 63 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) $64.4 million unfunded pension obligation and approximately 95% of the $38.7 million unfunded postretirement benefit obligation shown on the funded status line in the above table at March 31, 2015. The funded status of the Company’s plans at the end of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 was reported in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Pension Benefits March 31, Other Postretirement Benefits March 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Non-current asset (included in other noncurrent assets)................................... $ 1,900 $ 2,476 $ — $ — Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses) ........... (5,458) (764) Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits) (60,797) (48,358) (2,497) (36,251) (2,587) (36,724) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets .................................. $ (64,355) $ (46,646) $ (38,748) $ (39,311) Additional information on the funded status of the Company’s plans as of the respective measurement dates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, is as follows: Pension Benefits March 31, Other Postretirement Benefits March 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 For plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)............................................... $ 283,070 $ 254,117 $ 40,863 $ 41,846 Aggregate fair value of plan assets................................................................. 216,815 204,995 2,115 2,535 For plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)......................................... Aggregate fair value of plan assets................................................................. 281,354 216,815 243,496 195,627 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: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Fiscal Year Ended March 31, Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost................................................ $ 5,099 $ 5,190 $ 4,650 $ 347 $ 527 $ Interest cost................................................ 11,215 12,223 13,001 Expected return on plan assets .................. (15,493) (14,218) (14,632) Curtailment gain ........................................ Settlement cost........................................... — — Net amortization and deferral.................... 6,169 — 1,094 6,779 — 3,304 10,299 1,699 (102) (1,465) — (671) 2,106 (119) — — (5) 467 2,303 (124) — — (8) Net periodic benefit cost............................ $ 6,990 $ 11,068 $ 16,622 $ (192) $ 2,509 $ 2,638 A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would increase the March 31, 2015 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $1.3 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease would reduce the benefit obligation by approximately $1.2 million. The aggregate service and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal year 2016 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. 64 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 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. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 and the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the end of those fiscal years are shown below. All amounts shown are before allocated income taxes. Pension Benefits March 31, Other Postretirement Benefits March 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Change in net actuarial loss (gain): Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year ................................................... $ 70,488 $ 93,357 $ (9,952) $ Losses (gains) arising during the year............................................................ 23,353 Reclassification adjustments during the year ................................................. (12,297) Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year.............................................................. 81,544 Change in prior service cost (benefit): Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year ............................................... (22,998) Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year ........................................ Reclassification adjustments during the year ................................................. (675) 6,043 (12,834) (10,035) 70,488 (2,617) (22,145) 1,764 Prior service cost (benefit), end of year ......................................................... (17,630) (22,998) 2,879 671 (3,918) (6,039) 5 (6,402) (9,952) — — — — 226 — (226) — Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year, before income taxes ................................................................ $ 63,914 $ 47,490 $ (6,402) $ (9,952) 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. As noted above, the prior service benefit arising during fiscal year 2014 related to an amendment to the Company's U.S. pension plans to change the benefit formula applied to service periods beginning January 1, 2014 and to modify early retirement benefit factors. The Company expects to recognize approximately $8.4 million of the March 31, 2015 net actuarial loss and $3.4 million of the March 31, 2015 prior service benefit in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2016. Allocation of Pension Plan Assets The Company has established, and periodically adjusts, target asset allocations for its investments in its U.S. ERISA- regulated defined benefit pension plan, which represents 91% of consolidated plan assets and 80% of consolidated PBO at March 31, 2015, to balance the needs of 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 Company 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. As noted above and reflected in the table below, the Company has changed some of the underlying assets in the plan to move toward a liability-driven investment strategy, resulting in a reduction of the expected long-term return on assets. The assumed long-term rate of return used to calculate annual benefit expense is based on the asset allocation and expected market returns for the respective asset classes. 65 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) The weighted–average target pension asset allocation and target ranges at the March 31, 2015 measurement date and the actual asset allocations at the March 31, 2015 and 2014 measurement dates by major asset category were as follows: Major Asset Category Target Allocation Actual Allocation March 31, Range 2015 2014 Equity securities...................................................................................... Fixed income securities (1) ...................................................................... Alternative investments .......................................................................... 26.0% 16% - 36% 69.0% 59% - 79% 5.0% 0% - 10% 25.3% 69.1% 5.6% 48.3% 41.3% 10.4% Total................................................................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (1) Actual amounts include high yield securities and cash balances held for the payment of benefits. 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. With plan contributions and an increase in asset values during fiscal years 2014 and 2015, 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 $12.0 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal year 2016, including $5.4 million to its ERISA-regulated U.S. plan and $6.6 million to its non-ERISA regulated and other plans. Estimated future benefit payments to be made from the Company’s plans are as follows: Fiscal Year Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 2016 .................................................................................................................................................................... $ 19,297 $ 2017 .................................................................................................................................................................... 2018 .................................................................................................................................................................... 2019 .................................................................................................................................................................... 2020 .................................................................................................................................................................... 2021 - 2025......................................................................................................................................................... 21,040 16,957 19,853 16,875 88,195 2,925 2,944 2,880 2,921 2,904 13,789 Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets Assets held by the Company's defined benefit pension plans primarily consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, and alternative investments. Equity securities are primarily invested in actively-traded mutual funds with underlying common stock investments in U.S. and foreign companies ranging in size from small to large corporations. Fixed income securities are also held primarily through actively-traded mutual funds with the underlying investments in both U.S. and foreign securities. 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. • Equity securities: Investments in equity securities through actively-traded mutual funds are valued based on the net asset values of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as Level 1 • Fixed income securities: Fixed income investments that are held through mutual funds are valued based on the net asset values of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as 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 and are classified as Level 2. These market inputs may include yield curves for similarly rated securities. Small amounts of cash are held in common collective trusts. Fixed income securities also include insurance assets, which are valued based on an actuarial calculation. Those securities are classified as Level 3. 66 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) • 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. Fair values of the assets of the Company’s pension plans as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy are as follows: March 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities ......................................................................................... $ Fixed income securities (1) .......................................................................... Alternative investments.............................................................................. 51,300 $ — $ — $ 51,300 141,655 — 7,738 — 12,424 11,436 161,817 11,436 Total investments .................................................................................. $ 192,955 $ 7,738 $ 23,860 $ 224,553 March 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities.......................................................................................... $ Fixed income securities (1) ........................................................................... Alternative investments .............................................................................. 93,229 $ — $ — $ 93,229 80,567 — 8,287 — 11,266 19,933 100,120 19,933 Total investments................................................................................... $ 173,796 $ 8,287 $ 31,199 $ 213,282 (1) Includes high yield securities and cash and cash equivalent balances. Other Benefit Plans Universal and several subsidiaries offer employer defined contribution savings plans. Amounts charged to expense for these plans were approximately $1.8 million for fiscal year 2015, $1.6 million for fiscal year 2014, and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2013. NOTE 12. COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK Common Stock At March 31, 2015, the Company’s shareholders had authorized 100,000,000 shares of its common stock, and 22,593,266 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’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. Preferred Stock The Company is also authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 500,000 shares of which have been reserved for Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 220,000 shares of which have been reserved for Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. No Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock has been issued. 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, 2015, 218,490 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 67 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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, 2015, was 22.1183 shares of common stock per preferred share, which represents a conversion price of approximately $45.21 per common share. Upon conversion, the Company may, at its option, satisfy all or part of the conversion value in cash. Through 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, satisfy all or part of the conversion value in cash in lieu of delivering shares. 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. Share Repurchase Programs Universal’s Board of Directors has authorized programs to repurchase outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock (common and preferred 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. Programs have been in place continuously throughout fiscal years 2013 through 2015. The current program, which replaced an expiring program, was authorized and became effective on November 5, 2013. It authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of the Company's outstanding common and/or preferred stock and expires on the earlier of November 15, 2015, or when the funds authorized for the program have been exhausted. At March 31, 2015, $67.3 million remained available for share repurchases under the current program. Share repurchases under the programs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Common Stock Number of shares repurchased............................................................................................... 719,993 238,486 169,432 Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)............................................................. $ Weighted-average cost per share............................................................................................ $ Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Number of shares repurchased............................................................................................... Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)............................................................. $ 31,227 43.37 1,509 1,497 Weighted-average cost per share............................................................................................ $ 992.27 NOTE 13. EXECUTIVE STOCK PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION $ $ $ $ 14,145 59.31 $ $ 8,631 50.94 — — $ — $ — — — Executive Stock Plans The Company’s shareholders have approved executive stock plans under which officers, directors, and employees of the Company may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share awards (“PSAs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. 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 are limited to 500,000 shares under the 2002 Executive Stock Plan and 1,350,000 shares under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. 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 been limited to restricted stock, RSUs, PSAs, and stock-settled SARs. In fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the Compensation Committee has awarded only grants of RSUs and PSAs. Outside directors automatically receive restricted stock units following each annual meeting of shareholders. 68 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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. No stock options are currently outstanding under the Plans. SARs granted under the Plans vest in equal one-third tranches one, two, and three years after the grant date and expire 10 years after the grant date, except that SARs granted after fiscal year 2007 expire on the earlier of 3 years after the grantee’s retirement date or 10 years after the grant date. RSUs awarded under the Plans vest 5 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 3 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 3 years after the grant date, and restricted stock vests upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director. Stock Options and SARs The following tables summarize the Company’s stock option and SAR activity and related information for fiscal years 2013 through 2015: Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Shares Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013: Outstanding at beginning of year............................................................... 855,850 $ Exercised.................................................................................................... (407,758) Cancelled/expired ...................................................................................... Outstanding at end of year ......................................................................... (29,615) 418,477 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014: Exercised.................................................................................................... (161,137) Outstanding at end of year ......................................................................... 257,340 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015: Exercised.................................................................................................... Cancelled/expired ...................................................................................... (63,539) (24,200) Outstanding at end of year ......................................................................... 169,601 $ 46.01 41.21 54.83 50.07 42.48 54.83 38.50 62.66 59.82 2.07 $ 144 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised .................................................... $ Total fair value of SARs vested.............................................................................................. $ 1,091 375 $ $ 2,816 769 $ $ 4,249 1,460 All of the grants outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2015 in the above tables represent SARs, all of which were exercisable at the end of the year. 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: $47.16 at March 31, 2015, $55.89 at March 31, 2014, and $56.04 at March 31, 2013. 69 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 2013 through 2015: RSUs Restricted Stock PSAs Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Shares Shares Shares Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013: Unvested at beginning of year .................. 291,279 $ Granted...................................................... Vested........................................................ Forfeited.................................................... 87,780 (86,925) — Unvested at end of year............................. 292,134 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014: Granted...................................................... Vested........................................................ Forfeited.................................................... 70,092 (69,046) — Unvested at end of year............................. 293,180 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015: Granted...................................................... 94,539 Vested........................................................ (123,322) Forfeited.................................................... — Unvested at end of year............................. 264,397 $ 43.72 44.06 52.42 — 41.23 57.79 44.89 — 44.33 51.86 42.02 — 48.10 67,400 $ — (7,550) — 59,850 — (11,750) — 48,100 — — — 41.91 — 43.74 — 41.68 — 39.02 — 42.33 — — — 142,466 $ 92,425 (94,725) (5,149) 135,017 52,400 (32,464) (5,566) 149,387 57,580 (50,092) (3,400) 48,100 $ 42.33 153,475 $ 31.45 35.25 29.67 36.15 35.12 53.56 33.95 37.45 41.76 46.41 31.95 53.56 45.58 Shares granted and vested in the above table include dividend equivalents on RSUs and any shares awarded above the base grant under the performance provisions of PSAs. Shares forfeited or canceled include any reductions from the base PSA grant under those same performance provisions. The fair values of RSUs, restricted stock, and PSAs are based on the market price of the common stock on the grant date. Stock-Based 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total stock-based compensation expense ............................................................................... $ Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense ..................................... $ 6,230 2,181 $ $ 6,278 2,197 $ $ 6,171 2,160 At March 31, 2015, 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 1.3 years. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $3.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and were not material for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 or 2015. 70 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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. Contracts in most countries cover one annual growing season, but current contracts with some farmers in Brazil and the United States cover more than one year. Primarily with the farmer contracts in Brazil, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Mexico, the Company provides seasonal financing to support the farmers’ production of their crops or guarantees their financing from third-party banks. At March 31, 2015, the Company had contracts to purchase approximately $555 million of tobacco to be delivered during the coming fiscal year and $336 million of tobacco to be delivered in subsequent years. 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 $115 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2015. The Company withholds payments due to farmers on delivery of the tobacco to satisfy repayment of the financing it provided to the farmers. As noted above and discussed in more detail below, the Company also has arrangements to guarantee bank loans to farmers 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 had commitments related to agricultural materials, approved capital expenditures, and various other requirements that approximated $66 million at March 31, 2015. Guarantees and Other Contingent Liabilities Guarantees of Bank Loans and Other Contingent Liabilities Guarantees of bank loans to growers for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing assets have long been industry practice in Brazil and support the farmers’ production of tobacco there. During fiscal year 2013, similar arrangements were established in Malawi in connection with a shift from auction market sourcing to direct procurement in that country, but those arrangements were not continued for subsequent crops. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary for banking facilities of farmers in Brazil was approximately $15 million ($17 million face amount including unpaid accrued interest, less $2 million recorded for the fair value of the guarantees). All of these guarantees expire within one year. As noted above, the subsidiary withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forwards those payments to the third-party banks. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary to cover their obligations to the third-party banks could result in a liability for the subsidiary under the related guarantees; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company’s subsidiary could be required to make at March 31, 2015, was the face amount, $17 million including unpaid accrued interest ($22 million as of March 31, 2014). The fair value of the guarantees was a liability of approximately $2 million at March 31, 2015 ($2 million at March 31, 2014). In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $2 million at March 31, 2015. Value-Added Tax Assessments in Brazil As discussed in Note 1, the Company's local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax ("VAT") in connection with their normal operations. In Brazil, VAT is assessed at the state level when green tobacco is transferred between states. The Company's operating subsidiary there pays VAT when tobaccos grown in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana are transferred to its factory in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for processing. The subsidiary has received assessments for additional VAT plus interest and penalties from the tax authorities for the States of Santa Catarina and Parana based on audits of the subsidiary's VAT filings for specified periods. In June 2011, tax authorities for the state of Santa Catarina issued assessments for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2006 through 2009 totaling approximately $15 million based on the exchange rate for the Brazilian currency at March 31, 2015. In September 2014, tax authorities for the state of Parana issued an assessment for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2009 through 2014 totaling approximately $17 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2015. Management of the operating subsidiary and outside counsel believe that errors were made by the tax authorities for both states in determining all or significant portions of these assessments and that various defenses support the subsidiary's positions. With respect to the Santa Catarina assessments, the subsidiary took appropriate steps to contest the full amount of the claims. As of March 31, 2015, a portion of the subsidiary's arguments had been accepted, and the outstanding assessments had been reduced to approximately $12 million (at the March 31, 2015 exchange rate). The subsidiary is continuing to contest the full remaining amount of the assessment. While the range of reasonably possible loss is zero up to the full $12 million remaining assessment, based on the strength of the subsidiary's defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and no liability has been recorded at March 31, 2015. With respect to the Parana assessment, management of the subsidiary and outside counsel have undertaken the steps required to contest the full amount of the claim. A significant portion of the Parana assessment is based on positions taken by the tax authorities that management and outside counsel believe deviate significantly from the underlying statutes and relevant case law. In addition, 71 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) under the law, the subsidiary's tax filings for certain periods covered in the assessment were no longer open to any challenge by the tax authorities. On that basis, the range of reasonably possible loss is considered to be zero up to a maximum of $14 million, rather than the full amount of the assessment. Based on the strength of the subsidiary's defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and no liability has been recorded at March 31, 2015. In both states, the process for reaching a final resolution to the assessments is expected to be lengthy, and management is not currently able to predict when either case will be concluded. Should the subsidiary ultimately be required to pay any tax, interest, or penalties in either case, the portion paid for tax would generate value-added tax credits that the subsidiary may be able to recover. Major Customers A material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a few customers. The Company's five largest customers are Philip Morris International, Inc., Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, British American Tobacco, PLC, China Tobacco International, Inc., and Japan Tobacco, Inc. In the aggregate, these customers have accounted for more than 60% of consolidated revenue for each of the past three fiscal years. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, revenue from Philip Morris International, Inc. was approximately $580 million, $590 million, and $550 million, respectively. For the same periods, Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC accounted for revenue of approximately $280 million, $340 million, and $330 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 could 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 million and $7 million at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and 2014, net accounts receivable by reportable operating segment were as follows: March 31, 2015 2014 Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations: North America................................................................................................................................................. $ 38,046 $ 64,195 Other Regions ................................................................................................................................................. Subtotal ....................................................................................................................................................... Other Tobacco Operations .................................................................................................................................. 350,122 388,168 46,194 362,146 426,341 41,674 Consolidated accounts receivable, net ................................................................................................................ $ 434,362 $ 468,015 Favorable Outcome of IPI Tax Credit Case in Brazil During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, a longstanding lawsuit related to IPI tax credits filed by the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil was concluded in the subsidiary's favor with a decision by the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice on the final appeal filed by the Brazilian federal government. Although additional appeals by the government were expected in the case, the time period to file those appeals expired before the end of the quarter, and the decision and overall outcome of the case were confirmed. IPI tax credits were established under Brazilian tax laws to allow recovery of a portion of the excise taxes paid on manufactured products when those products are sold in export markets. In prior years, the subsidiary paid excise taxes on the component cost of unprocessed tobacco purchased from growers, as well as the cost of electricity, packing materials, and other inputs used in its manufacturing process. Under the law, the subsidiary believed it was entitled to use IPI tax credits to recover excise taxes on the processed tobacco it exported. However, specific regulations issued by the Brazilian tax authorities did not permit the subsidiary to claim those credits. The suit filed by the subsidiary challenged the denial of the tax credits based on the law. Several decisions in lower courts were decided in the subsidiary's favor for a portion of the tax credits claimed in the suit, but those decisions were appealed on various grounds by both the government and the subsidiary. The expiration of the appeal period ended the matter in the courts. The final court decision entitled the subsidiary to approximately $104 million of IPI tax credits (based on the exchange rate at the date of the decision), which can be used to offset future payments of other Brazilian federal taxes for a period of up to five years. That amount includes the tax credits generated over the period granted by the courts, as well as interest calculated from the date those credits should have been available to the subsidiary. As noted, the ability to use the tax credits to offset other Brazilian federal tax payments expires five years after the subsidiary's right to claim the credits was confirmed. Utilization of the credits is also subject to audit by the tax authorities. Based on estimates of the tax credits that were probable of being realized at the time the 72 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) case was decided, the subsidiary recorded an allowance, reducing the net book value of the credits to approximately $90 million. After deducting related legal fees and Brazilian social contribution taxes assessed on the interest portion of the total IPI tax credits received, the subsidiary recorded a net gain of $81.6 million ($53.1 million after tax, or $1.87 per diluted share) during the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as a result of the favorable outcome of the case. That gain is reported in Other Income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 in the consolidated statement of income. The subsidiary began using the credits to offset tax payments during the quarter ended December 31, 2013. At March 31, 2015, the remaining unused tax credits totaled approximately $30 million at the current exchange rate. Actual realization of the tax credits to date, as well as updated tax payment projections prepared during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, indicate that all remaining IPI tax credits will be fully utilized prior to expiration. On that basis, the subsidiary reversed the full remaining valuation allowance on the credits of $12.7 million (based on the current exchange rate) during the quarter. Consistent with the reporting of the original gain in fiscal year 2014, the reversal of the valuation allowance is reported in Other Income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 in the consolidated statement of income. NOTE 15. OPERATING SEGMENTS Universal’s operations involve selecting, procuring, 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, Oriental, and Special Services. 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. The Dark Air-Cured group supplies dark air-cured tobacco principally to manufacturers of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products, and the Oriental business 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 includes the Company's laboratory services business, which provides physical and chemical product testing and smoke testing for customers, as well as its liquid nicotine joint venture and its food and vegetable ingredients business. 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, “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 require lower working capital investments for crop financing and inventory. The Dark Air-Cured, Oriental and Special Services segments, which have dissimilar 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. 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, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. 73 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) Reportable segment data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, is as follows: Sales and Other Operating Revenues Operating Income Fiscal Year Ended March 31, Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations: North America.................................................... $ 305,028 Other Regions (1) ...............................................1,739,781 $ 348,627 $ 334,676 $ 31,060 $ 23,217 $ 19,740 1,932,228 1,871,880 Subtotal.......................................................... Other Tobacco Operations (2) ................................. 2,044,809 2,280,855 2,206,556 226,992 261,260 255,143 Segment total.......................................................... 2,271,801 2,542,115 2,461,699 Deduct: Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3) ................. Restructuring costs (4) .............................. Add: Other income (5) ........................................ 125,839 156,899 10,326 167,225 (7,137) (4,890) 12,676 133,447 156,664 18,511 175,175 (3,897) (6,746) 81,619 192,556 212,296 20,461 232,757 (5,635) (4,113) — Consolidated total................................................... $ 2,271,801 $ 2,542,115 $ 2,461,699 $ 167,874 $ 246,151 $ 223,009 Segment Assets March 31, Goodwill March 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations: North America.................................................... $ 289,792 Other Regions (1) ...............................................1,611,083 Subtotal.......................................................... Other Tobacco Operations (2) ................................. 1,900,875 1,954,682 1,978,366 297,598 316,225 327,789 $ 277,028 $ 295,785 $ — $ — $ 1,677,654 1,682,581 97,372 97,372 1,713 97,367 97,367 1,713 — 96,667 96,667 1,713 Segment and consolidated totals ............................ $ 2,198,473 $ 2,270,907 $ 2,306,155 $ 99,085 $ 99,080 $ 98,380 Depreciation and Amortization Capital Expenditures Fiscal Year Ended March 31, Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Flue-Cured and Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations: North America.................................................... $ Other Regions (1) ............................................... Subtotal.......................................................... Other Tobacco Operations (2) ................................ 4,284 $ 6,018 $ 11,017 $ 5,814 $ 2,676 $ 28,827 33,111 4,213 29,044 35,062 3,837 30,118 41,135 3,981 39,303 45,117 13,268 37,584 40,260 5,589 2,459 24,886 27,345 3,438 Segment and consolidated totals ............................ $ 37,324 $ 38,899 $ 45,116 $ 58,385 $ 45,849 $ 30,783 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations. Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures include limited amounts or no amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. The investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $74.9 million, $93.3 million, and $91.8 million, at March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income. Restructuring costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 2). Other income represents the reversal of a valuation allowance on the remaining unused balance of IPI excise tax credits in Brazil in fiscal year 2015 and the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in fiscal year 2014 (see Note 14). 74 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) Geographic data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, is presented below. Sales and other operating revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the final destination of the shipment. Long-lived assets generally consist of net property, plant, and equipment, goodwill, and other intangibles. Geographic Data Sales and Other Operating Revenues Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 United States............................................................................................................................................. $ 290,950 $ 304,527 $ 324,285 Belgium .................................................................................................................................................... China ........................................................................................................................................................ Germany ................................................................................................................................................... Russia ....................................................................................................................................................... Poland....................................................................................................................................................... Netherlands............................................................................................................................................... 226,562 174,872 170,338 126,652 114,765 113,297 218,550 210,956 173,872 123,114 106,443 208,031 203,539 229,112 128,144 130,906 126,826 174,481 All other countries .................................................................................................................................... 1,054,365 1,196,622 1,144,406 Consolidated total..................................................................................................................................... $ 2,271,801 $ 2,542,115 $ 2,461,699 Long-Lived Assets March 31, 2015 2014 2013 United States............................................................................................................................................. $ 70,929 $ 61,347 $ 64,235 Brazil ........................................................................................................................................................ Mozambique............................................................................................................................................. All other countries .................................................................................................................................... 135,980 55,733 141,893 135,359 49,543 149,750 137,133 48,016 137,132 Consolidated total..................................................................................................................................... $ 404,535 $ 395,999 $ 386,516 75 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The following table summarizes the changes in the balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013: (in thousands of dollars) Foreign currency translation: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year .......................................................................................................... $ (8,476) $ (15,555) $ (11,850) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation (net of tax (expense) benefit of $12,181, $(3,489), and $1,815) ................................................................................................................... Less: Net loss (gain) on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests .... Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes.............................................................................................................................................. (22,625) (37) 6,480 599 (3,370) (335) (22,662) 7,079 (3,705) Balance at end of year..................................................................................................................... $ (31,138) $ (8,476) $ (15,555) Foreign currency hedge: Balance at beginning of year .......................................................................................................... $ 769 $ (855) $ (942) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $2,304, $(312), and $3,234) ......................................................................................................................................... Reclassification of net loss to earnings (net of tax benefit of $(903), $(563), and $(3,281)) (1).. Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes.............................................................................................................................................. (4,280) 1,677 580 1,044 (6,006) 6,093 (2,603) 1,624 87 Balance at end of year..................................................................................................................... $ (1,834) $ 769 $ (855) Interest rate hedge: Balance at beginning of year .......................................................................................................... $ (608) $ (1,091) $ (727) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax benefit of $1,416, $49, and $515)............. Reclassification of net loss to earnings (net of tax benefit of $(675), $(310), and $(319)) (2)..... Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes.............................................................................................................................................. (2,628) 1,254 (1,374) (93) 576 483 (955) 591 (364) Balance at end of year..................................................................................................................... $ (1,982) $ (608) $ (1,091) Pension and other postretirement benefit plans: Balance at beginning of year .......................................................................................................... $ (26,017) $ (58,039) $ (66,842) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Gains (losses) arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $9,719, $(6,449), and $96)(3) ............................................................................................................................. Prior service credit arising during the year (net of tax expense of $7,751) (3) .......................... Amortization included in earnings (net of tax benefit of $(2,163), $(3,042), and $(4,841)) (4) .. Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes.............................................................................................................................................. (18,049) — 4,026 11,977 14,394 5,651 (187) — 8,990 (14,023) 32,022 8,803 Balance at end of year..................................................................................................................... $ (40,040) $ (26,017) $ (58,039) Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of year.............................................. $ (74,994) $ (34,332) $ (75,540) 76 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) (1) Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 9 for additional information. (2) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt or upon any termination of the interest rate swap agreements prior to their scheduled maturity dates. See Note 9 for additional information. (3) These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the assets and liabilities of the Company's U.S.-based pension plans were also remeasured on an interim basis during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 to reflect the effect of plan amendments adopted during the period. See Note 11 for additional information. (4) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 11 for additional information. 77 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) NOTE 17. UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited quarterly financial data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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. First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 Operating Results: Sales and other operating revenues ...................................................................... $ 271,472 $ 464,116 $ 758,054 $ 778,159 Gross profit........................................................................................................... 55,540 Net income ........................................................................................................... Net income attributable to Universal Corporation ............................................... 525 717 85,071 15,484 15,025 147,572 58,077 53,039 122,091 46,375 45,827 Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock ............................................. Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders: Basic................................................................................................................. Diluted.............................................................................................................. Cash Dividends Declared: Per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock ............................................... Per share of common stock .................................................................................. Market Price Range of Common Stock: High ...................................................................................................................... Low....................................................................................................................... (2,995) 11,312 49,309 42,122 (0.13) (0.13) 16.88 0.51 56.82 52.16 0.49 0.48 16.87 0.51 56.35 44.39 2.13 1.87 16.88 0.52 45.63 38.53 1.86 1.64 16.87 0.52 48.10 39.27 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 Operating Results: Sales and other operating revenues ...................................................................... $ 433,528 $ 650,869 $ 767,802 $ 689,916 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 ............................................... Per share of common stock .................................................................................. Market Price Range of Common Stock: High ...................................................................................................................... Low....................................................................................................................... 71,468 53,913 58,309 119,312 29,830 25,444 139,307 44,203 38,585 103,204 27,209 26,671 54,597 21,731 34,873 22,958 2.34 2.05 16.88 0.50 61.46 54.45 0.94 0.90 16.87 0.50 63.36 48.43 1.50 1.36 16.88 0.51 54.60 50.06 0.99 0.94 16.87 0.51 58.99 49.84 78 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) 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. Significant items included in the quarterly results were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 • • First Quarter – an income tax benefit of $8.0 million resulting from the ability of the Company's subsidiary, Deltafina S.p.A, to pay a significant portion of the European Commission fine and related interest charges settled during the quarter following the unsuccessful appeal of the case related to tobacco buying practices in Italy (see Note 3). The tax benefit reduced the diluted loss per share after dividends on the Company's convertible perpetual preferred stock by $0.34. Second Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $3.4 million, primarily related to workforce reductions in the Company's operations in Brazil, as well as the suspension of operations in Argentina. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $2.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.09. • Third Quarter – additional restructuring costs of approximately $1.1 million, primarily related to additional workforce reductions in Brazil, as well the suspension of operations in Argentina. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $0.7 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.03. • Fourth Quarter – a gain of $12.7 million from the reversal of a valuation allowance on the remaining unused balance of IPI excise tax credits in Brazil. The gain increased net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $8.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.30. The Company also recorded additional restructuring costs of approximately $0.4 million, which reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by approximately $0.3 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.01. Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 • • First Quarter – a gain of $81.6 million resulting from the favorable outcome of litigation by the Company’s operating subsidiary in Brazil related to previous years’ excise tax credits. The gain increased net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $53.1 million. Excluding the effect of the gain on net income attributable to Universal Corporation, the Company's outstanding convertible perpetual preferred stock would have been antidilutive to earnings per share for the quarter. As a result, the gain increased diluted earnings per share for the quarter by $1.96. For the full fiscal year, the preferred stock was dilutive to earnings per share with or without the gain, and the effect on diluted earnings per share was only $1.87. Second Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $1.3 million, primarily related to the closure of a tobacco processing facility in Brazil and consolidation of those operations into the Company's primary facility there. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $0.9 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.03. • Third Quarter – additional restructuring costs of approximately $3.4 million, primarily related to the facility closure in Brazil. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $2.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.08. • Fourth Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $2.0 million, representing additional costs associated with the facility closure in Brazil and costs related to voluntary early retirement arrangements at several locations. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $1.3 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.04. 79 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 as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2015. 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. 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, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2015, 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, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated May 22, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Richmond, Virginia May 22, 2015 80  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, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (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, 2015, 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, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2015 and our report dated May 22, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Richmond, Virginia May 22, 2015 81 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure For the three years ended March 31, 2015, 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, 2015. 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 (2013 framework) (“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, 2015. 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, 2015. Their report on this audit appears on page 81 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. 82 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 2015 Proxy Statement. The following are executive officers of the Company as of May 22, 2015: Name and Age G. C. Freeman, III (51) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Position A. L. Hentschke (45) Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer D. C. Moore (59) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer T. G. Broome (61) Executive Vice President and Sales Director, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. P. D. Wigner (46) Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary J. A. Huffman (53) Senior Vice President, Information and Planning, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. Business Experience During Past Five Years Mr. Freeman was elected Chairman of the Board in August 2008, Chief Executive Officer effective April 2008, President in December 2006, and Vice President in November 2005. Mr. Freeman served as General Counsel and Secretary from February 2001 until November 2005 and has been employed with the Company since 1997. Mr. Hentschke was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in April 2015. From January 2013 to April 2015, he served as Executive Vice President of Universal Leaf. Tobacco Company, Incorporated ("Universal Leaf"). From November 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Hentschke served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Leaf Tabacos, Limitada, the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil. He has been employed with the Company and its affiliates since 1991. Mr. Moore was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective September 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. He has been employed with the Company since 1978. Mr. Broome was elected Executive Vice President and Sales Director, Universal Leaf, in October 2012. From April 2011 through October 2012, Mr. Broome served as Executive Vice President. From September 1998 through March 2011, Mr. Broome served as Senior Vice President- Sales. He has been employed with the Company since 1994. Mr. Wigner was elected Vice President in August 2007, and General Counsel and Secretary in November 2005 and also served as Chief Compliance Officer from November 2007 until September 2012. Mr. Wigner served as Senior Counsel of Universal Leaf from November 2004 until November 2005. He has been employed with the Company since 2003. Mr. Huffman was elected Senior Vice President, Information and Planning, Universal Leaf, in August 2007. From September 2003 to August 2007, Mr. Huffman served as Senior Vice President. From September 2002 to September 2003, Mr. Huffman served as Vice President and Controller. He has been employed with the Company since 1996. C. C. Formacek (55) R. M. Peebles (57) Vice President and Treasurer Ms. Formacek was elected Vice President and Treasurer effective April 2012. Ms. Formacek served as Treasurer of Universal Leaf from April 2011 through March 2012. She joined the Company in September 2009 and served as Assistant Treasurer of Universal Leaf from that time through March 2011. Vice President and Controller Mr. Peebles was elected Vice President and Controller in April 2011. Mr. Peebles joined the Company in September 2003 and served as Controller from that time through March 2011. There are no family relationships between any of the above officers. 83 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 2015 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein. Item 11. Executive Compensation Refer to the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Directors’ Compensation” in the Company’s 2015 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Refer to the caption “Equity Compensation Information” in the Company’s 2015 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 2015 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 2015 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services Refer to the captions “Audit Information – Fees of Independent Auditors” and “Audit Information – Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in the Company’s 2015 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. 84  Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a) The following are filed as part of this Annual Report: 1. Financial Statements. PART IV Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2014 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 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. 85 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Universal Corporation Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Description (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013: Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable) .......................................................................... $ Balance at Beginning of Period Net Additions (Reversals) Charged to Expense Additions Charged to Other Accounts Deductions (1) Balance at End of Period 8,307 $ 1,788 $ — $ (2,127) $ 7,968 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets) ........................... 74,382 1,623 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets) ........................ 24,719 4,005 — — (21,612) 54,393 (2,680) 26,044 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014: Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable) .......................................................................... $ 7,968 $ 419 $ — $ (1,851) $ 6,536 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets) ........................... 54,393 5,461 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets) ........................ 26,044 5,607 — — (13,776) 46,078 (2,147) 29,504 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015: Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable) .......................................................................... $ 6,536 $ 1,341 $ — $ (2,395) $ 5,482 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets) ........................... 46,078 3,734 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets) ........................ 29,504 1,855 — — (15,139) 34,673 (8,141) 23,218 (1) Includes direct write-offs of assets and currency remeasurement. 86 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 22, 2015 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 /s/ GEORGE C. FREEMAN, III George C. Freeman, III Title Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ DAVID C. MOORE David C. Moore Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ ROBERT M. PEEBLES Robert M. Peebles Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ JOHN B. ADAMS, JR. John B. Adams, Jr. /s/ DIANA F. CANTOR Diana F. Cantor /s/ CHESTER A. CROCKER Chester A. Crocker /s/ CHARLES H. FOSTER, JR. Charles H. Foster, Jr. /s/ LENNART R. FREEMAN Lennart R. Freeman /s/ THOMAS H. JOHNSON Thomas H. Johnson /s/ EDDIE N. MOORE, JR. Eddie N. Moore, Jr. /s/ ROBERT C. SLEDD Robert C. Sledd Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director 87 Date May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015 EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective August 9, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K Registration Statement filed August 9, 2011, 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 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). 4.2 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). 10.1 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). 10.2 Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Deferred Income Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 001-00652). 10.3 Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Benefit Replacement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 001-00652). 10.4 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). 10.5 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, 1996, File No. 001-00652). 10.6 Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1994 Deferred Income Plan, amended and restated as of July 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). 10.7 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). 10.8 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). 10.9 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). 10.10 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). 10.11 Universal Corporation 1997 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). 10.12 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). 10.13 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). 10.14 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). 88 10.15 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). 10.16 Universal Corporation 2007 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan effective August 7, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed June 28, 2012, File No. 001-00652). 10.17 Universal Corporation Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's definitive proxy statement filed June 25, 2014, File No. 001-00652). 10.18 Form of Universal Corporation 2010 Restricted Stock Units 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 10.19 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 10.20 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 10.21 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652). 10.22 Form of Universal Corporation 2011 Restricted Stock Units Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, File No. 001-00652). 10.23 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, File No. 001-00652). 10.24 Form of Universal Corporation Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, File No. 001-00652). 10.25 Credit Agreement dated December 30, 2014 among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank and AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents and Keybank National Association and Capital One, National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2014 (December 23, 2014), File No. 001-00652). 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, 2015, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)).* 89 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, (vii) Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. _________ * Filed herewith. 90 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at SEC FORM 10-K Shareholders may obtain additional copies of the the offices of the Company, 9201 Forest Hill Avenue, Company’s annual report to the Securities and Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. A Exchange Commission on its website or by writing to proxy statement and request for proxies are included the Treasurer of the Company. in this mailing to shareholders. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Ernst & Young LLP The Edgeworth Building Suite 201, 2100 East Cary Street Richmond, Virginia 23223 INVESTOR RELATIONS Contact: Candace C. Formacek Vice President and Treasurer Jennifer S. Rowe STOCK LISTED New York Stock Exchange STOCK SYMBOL UVV DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN The Company offers to its common shareholders an automatic dividend reinvestment and cash payment plan to purchase additional shares. The Company bears all brokerage and service fees. Booklets describing the plan in detail are available upon Assistant Vice President, Capital Markets request. (804) 359-9311 Information Requests: (804) 254-3789 or investor@universalleaf.com TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR AND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN AGENT Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. DIVIDEND PAYMENTS Dividend declarations are subject to approval by Shareowner Services P.O. Box 64854 the Company’s Board of Directors. Dividends on St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854 the Company’s common stock have traditionally (800) 468-9716 been paid quarterly in February, May, August, and or November to shareholders of record on the second Monday of the previous month. Universal Corporation Shareholder Services (804) 359-9311 P.O. Box 25099 Richmond, VA 23260 www.universalcorp.com 

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