UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ 10-Q

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Sales and other operating revenues $ 453,955 $ 377,025 $ 803,984 $ 692,836 Costs and expenses Cost of goods sold 361,272 308,267 648,828 570,313 Selling, general and administrative expenses 65,402 52,407 115,246 101,817 Other income ( 2,532 ) — ( 2,532 ) ( 4,173 ) Restructuring and impairment costs — — 2,024 — Operating income 29,813 16,351 40,418 24,879 Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 2,363 590 2,972 583 Other non-operating income (expense) 54 ( 20 ) 102 ( 38 ) Interest income 517 101 590 260 Interest expense 7,130 5,595 13,338 12,405 Income before income taxes and other items 25,617 11,427 30,744 13,279 Income taxes 3,862 3,178 5,077 ( 1,870 ) Net income 21,755 8,249 25,667 15,149 Less: net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries ( 2,245 ) ( 747 ) 200 ( 373 ) Net income attributable to Universal Corporation $ 19,510 $ 7,502 $ 25,867 $ 14,776 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.79 $ 0.30 $ 1.05 $ 0.60 Diluted $ 0.78 $ 0.30 $ 1.04 $ 0.60 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 24,776,930 24,658,895 24,745,827 24,630,886 Diluted 24,916,346 24,770,421 24,894,366 24,737,134 Total comprehensive income, net of income taxes $ 13,669 $ 22,060 $ 26,415 $ 29,269 Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 2,060 ) ( 982 ) 356 ( 452 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation $ 11,609 $ 21,078 $ 26,771 $ 28,817 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.78 $ 0.77 $ 1.56 $ 1.54 See accompanying notes. 3 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands of dollars) September 30, September 30, March 31, 2021 2020 2021 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 100,682 $ 57,084 $ 197,221 Accounts receivable, net 297,442 329,332 367,482 Advances to suppliers, net 82,192 65,643 121,618 Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates 63,112 47,807 584 Inventories—at lower of cost or net realizable value: Tobacco 854,331 888,213 640,653 Other 161,001 116,299 145,965 Prepaid income taxes 23,112 20,712 15,029 Other current assets 76,050 69,564 66,806 Total current assets 1,657,922 1,594,654 1,555,358 Property, plant and equipment Land 22,502 21,515 22,400 Buildings 289,939 259,875 284,430 Machinery and equipment 653,789 657,435 658,826 966,230 938,825 965,656 Less accumulated depreciation ( 630,766 ) ( 617,553 ) ( 616,146 ) 335,464 321,272 349,510 Other assets Operating lease right-of-use assets 33,790 35,665 31,230 Goodwill, net 172,964 126,910 173,051 Other intangibles, net 67,510 16,309 72,304 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 84,517 82,628 84,218 Deferred income taxes 17,193 22,615 12,149 Pension asset 13,381 — 11,950 Other noncurrent assets 43,057 42,239 52,154 432,412 326,366 437,056 Total assets $ 2,425,798 $ 2,242,292 $ 2,341,924 See accompanying notes. 4 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands of dollars) September 30, September 30, March 31, 2021 2020 2021 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities Notes payable and overdrafts $ 184,982 $ 235,413 $ 101,294 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 157,082 133,034 139,484 Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates 2,414 117 1,282 Customer advances and deposits 25,219 8,049 8,765 Accrued compensation 19,591 19,499 29,918 Income taxes payable 1,136 2,947 4,516 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 8,985 9,105 7,898 Current portion of long-term debt — — — Total current liabilities 399,409 408,164 293,157 Long-term debt 518,422 368,894 518,172 Pensions and other postretirement benefits 54,598 64,947 57,637 Long-term operating lease liabilities 22,530 22,813 19,725 Other long-term liabilities 55,174 72,657 59,814 Deferred income taxes 42,239 25,941 44,994 Total liabilities 1,092,372 963,416 993,499 Shareholders’ equity Universal Corporation: Preferred stock: Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding — — — Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized 24,607,384 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 ( 24,514,867 at September 30, 2020 and 24,514,867 at March 31, 2021) 328,836 323,761 326,673 Retained earnings 1,074,629 1,053,295 1,087,663 Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 106,133 ) ( 137,556 ) ( 107,037 ) Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity 1,297,332 1,239,500 1,307,299 Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 36,094 39,376 41,126 Total shareholders' equity 1,333,426 1,278,876 1,348,425 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,425,798 $ 2,242,292 $ 2,341,924 See accompanying notes. 5 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands of dollars) Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 (Unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 25,667 $ 15,149 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 25,096 20,381 Net provision for losses (recoveries) on advances to suppliers ( 44 ) 348 Foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss, net 6,955 ( 5,105 ) Foreign currency exchange contracts 2,486 ( 8,169 ) Restructuring and impairment costs 2,024 — Restructuring payments ( 3,203 ) ( 2,937 ) Change in estimated fair value of contingent consideration for FruitSmart acquisition ( 2,532 ) ( 4,173 ) Other, net ( 4,916 ) 3,049 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net ( 172,304 ) ( 168,502 ) Net cash provided (used) by operating activities ( 120,771 ) ( 149,959 ) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment ( 18,645 ) ( 22,751 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 6,767 1,780 Net cash used by investing activities ( 11,878 ) ( 20,971 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Issuance of short-term debt, net 82,250 162,646 Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests ( 4,676 ) ( 3,695 ) Dividends paid on common stock ( 38,047 ) ( 37,424 ) Other ( 2,996 ) ( 1,949 ) Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 36,531 119,578 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents ( 421 ) 1,006 Net decrease in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents ( 96,539 ) ( 50,346 ) Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 203,221 107,430 Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 106,682 $ 57,084 Supplemental Information: Cash and cash equivalents $ 100,682 $ 57,084 Restricted cash (Other noncurrent assets) 6,000 — Total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 106,682 $ 57,084 See accompanying notes. 6 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers. The Company is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and provides high-quality plant-based ingredients to food and beverage end markets. Because of the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations for any fiscal quarter will not necessarily be indicative of results to be expected for other quarters or a full fiscal year. All adjustments necessary to state fairly the results for the period have been included and were of a normal recurring nature. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. The extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will impact the Company's financial condition, results of operations and demand for its products and services will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Such developments may include the ongoing geographic spread and mutations of COVID-19, the severity of the pandemic, the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and the type and duration of actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the U.S. and the global economies, markets and supply chains. At September 30, 2021, it is not possible to predict the overall impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and demand for its products and services. NOTE 2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Recently Adopted Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences related to changes in ownership of equity method investments and foreign subsidiaries. The updated guidance also simplifies aspects of accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates, and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The guidance in ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effective April 1, 2021, which was the beginning of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2022. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements from the adoption of ASU 2019-12. Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting" ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions related to contract modifications and hedge accounting to address the transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance permits an entity to consider contract modification due to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. ASU 2020-04 also temporarily allows hedge relationships to continue without de-designation upon changes due to reference rate reform. The standard is effective upon issuance and can be applied as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATION Acquisition of Silva International, Inc. On October 1, 2020 the Company acquired 100 % of the capital stock of Silva International, Inc. (“Silva”), a natural, specialty dehydrated vegetable, fruit, and herb processing company serving global markets, for approximately $ 164 million in cash and $ 5.9 million of additional working capital on-hand at the date of acquisition. The acquisition of Silva diversifies the Company's product offerings and generates new opportunities for its plant-based ingredients platform. The Company continues to employ one of Silva's selling shareholders and as stipulated in the Silva purchase agreement has transferred $ 6 million to a third-party escrow account that may ultimately be earned by the selling shareholder upon completion of a post-combination service period. Since the compensation agreement for the selling shareholder who remains employed with the Company includes a post-combination service period, the Company has excluded the entire $ 6 million in the 7 purchase price to be allocated. The $ 6 million in escrow is recognized as restricted cash in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2021. The contingent consideration arrangement for the selling shareholder includes a post-combination service requirement and forfeitable payment provisions, therefore under ASC Topic 805, "Business Combinations," must be treated as compensation expense. This expense is being recognized ratably over the requisite service period in selling, general, and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the final purchase price allocation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on October 1, 2020. (in thousands of dollars) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,126 Accounts receivable, net 17,885 Advances to suppliers, net 3,011 Inventory 33,162 Other current assets 833 Property, plant and equipment (net) 24,437 Intangibles Customer relationships 53,000 Trade names 7,800 Goodwill 46,144 Total assets acquired 194,398 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses 11,683 Accrued compensation 3,350 Income taxes payable 946 Deferred income taxes 14,419 Total liabilities assumed 30,398 Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 164,000 A portion of the goodwill recorded as part of the acquisition was attributable to the assembled workforce of Silva. The goodwill recognized for the Silva acquisition is not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes. The tax basis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed did not result in a step-up of tax basis. The Company determined the Silva operations are not material to the Company’s consolidated results. Therefore, pro forma information is not presented. NOTE 4. RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS Universal continually reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. Restructuring and impairment costs are periodically incurred in connection with those activities. Tobacco Operations In the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred and paid $ 1.5 million of termination costs associated with restructuring of tobacco processing and administrative operations in Africa. Ingredients Operations In the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred $ 0.5 million of impairment costs on property, plant, and equipment associated with the wind-down of the Carolina Innovative Food Ingredients, Inc. ("CIFI") operations that was announced in fiscal year 2021. There were zero restructuring and impairment costs incurred for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020. 8 NOTE 5. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS The majority of the Company’s consolidated revenue consists of sales of processed leaf tobacco to customers. The Company also earns revenue from processing leaf tobacco owned by customers and from various other services provided to customers. Additionally, the Company has fruit and vegetable processing operations that provide customers with a range of food ingredient products. Payment terms with customers vary depending on customer creditworthiness, product types, services provided, and other factors. Contract durations and payment terms for all revenue categories generally do not exceed one year. Therefore, the Company has applied a practical expedient to not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing components, as the Company expects that the period from the time the revenue for a transaction is recognized to the time the customer pays for the related good or service transferred will be one year or less. Below is a description of the major revenue-generating categories from contracts with customers. Tobacco Sales The majority of the Company’s business involves purchasing leaf tobacco from farmers in the origins where it is grown, processing and packing the tobacco in its factories, and then transferring ownership and control of the tobacco to customers. On a much smaller basis, the Company also sources processed tobacco from third-party suppliers for resale to customers. The contracts for tobacco sales with customers create a performance obligation to transfer tobacco to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of tobaccos are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices, but the Company does have a small number of cost-plus contracts with certain customers. Cost-plus arrangements provide the Company reimbursement of the cost to purchase and process the tobacco, plus a contractually agreed-upon profit margin. The Company utilizes the most likely amount methodology under the accounting guidance to recognize revenue for cost-plus arrangements with customers. Shipping and handling costs under tobacco sales contracts with customers are treated as fulfillment costs and included in the transaction price. Taxes assessed by government authorities on the sale of leaf tobacco products are excluded from the transaction price. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the tobacco, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale. Ingredient Sales In recent fiscal years, the Company has diversified operations through acquisition of established companies that offer customers a wide range of both liquid and dehydrated fruit and vegetable ingredient products. These operations procure raw materials from domestic and international growers and suppliers and through a variety of processing steps including sorting, cleaning, pressing, mixing, and blending to manufacture finished goods utilized in both human and pet food. The contracts for food ingredients with customers create a performance obligation to transfer the manufactured finished goods to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of food ingredients are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the finished product, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale. Processing Revenue Processing and packing of customer-owned tobacco and ingredients is a short-duration process. Processing charges are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices per unit of weight processed. Under normal operating conditions, customer-owned raw materials that are placed into the production line exits as processed and packed product and is then later transported to customer-designated transfer locations. The revenue for these services is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when processing is completed. The Company’s operating history and contract analyses indicate that customer requirements for processed tobacco and food ingredients products are consistently met upon completion of processing. Other Operating Sales and Revenue From time to time, the Company enters into various arrangements with customers to provide other value-added services that may include blending, chemical and physical testing of products, storage, and tobacco cutting services for select manufacturers. These other arrangements and operations are a much smaller portion of the Company’s business, and are separate and distinct contractual agreements from the Company’s tobacco and food ingredients sales or third-party processing arrangements with customers. The transaction prices and timing of revenue recognition of these items are determined by the specifics of each contract. 9 Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by significant revenue-generating category: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Tobacco sales $ 370,702 $ 334,545 $ 640,966 $ 609,687 Ingredient sales 52,517 19,127 104,405 35,483 Processing revenue 16,048 12,474 32,744 28,774 Other sales and revenue from contracts with customers 13,980 10,202 24,745 17,804 Total revenue from contracts with customers 453,247 376,348 802,860 691,748 Other operating sales and revenues 708 677 1,124 1,088 Consolidated sales and other operating revenues $ 453,955 $ 377,025 $ 803,984 $ 692,836 Other operating sales and revenues consists principally of interest on advances to suppliers. NOTE 6. OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS Other Contingent Liabilities Other Contingent Liabilities (Letters of credit) The Company had other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $ 1 million at September 30, 2021, primarily related to outstanding letters of credit. Value-Added Tax Assessments in Brazil As further discussed below, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) in connection with their operations, which generate tax credits that they normally are entitled to recover through offset, refund, or sale to third parties. In Brazil, VAT is assessed at the state level when green tobacco is transferred between states. The Company’s operating subsidiary there pays VAT when tobaccos grown in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana are transferred to its factory in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for processing. The subsidiary has received assessments for additional VAT plus interest and penalties from tax authorities for the states of Santa Catarina and Parana based on audits of the subsidiary’s VAT filings for specified periods. In June 2011, tax authorities for the state of Santa Catarina issued assessments for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2006 through 2009 totaling approximately $ 9 million. In September 2014, tax authorities for the state of Parana issued an assessment for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2009 through 2014 totaling approximately $ 10 million. Those amounts are based on the exchange rate for the Brazilian currency at September 30, 2021. Management of the operating subsidiary and outside counsel believe that errors were made by the tax authorities for both states in determining all or significant portions of these assessments and that various defenses support the subsidiary’s positions. With respect to the Santa Catarina assessments, the subsidiary took appropriate steps to contest the full amount of the claims. As of September 30, 2021, a portion of the subsidiary’s arguments had been accepted, and the outstanding assessment had been reduced. The reduced assessment, together with the related accumulated interest through the end of the current reporting period, totaled approximately $ 9 million (at the September 30, 2021 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 $ 9 million remaining assessment with interest, based on the strength of the subsidiary’s defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and no liability has been recorded at September 30, 2021. With respect to the Parana assessment, management of the subsidiary and outside counsel challenged the full amount of the claim. A significant portion of the Parana assessment was based on positions taken by the tax authorities that management and outside counsel believe deviate significantly from the underlying statutes and relevant case law. In addition, under the law, the subsidiary’s tax filings for certain periods covered in the assessment were no longer open to any challenge by the tax authorities. In December 2015, the Parana tax authorities withdrew the initial claim and subsequently issued a new assessment covering the same tax periods, reflecting a substantial reduction from the original assessment. In fiscal year 2020, the Parana tax authorities acknowledged the statute of limitations related to claims prior to December 2010 had expired and reduced the assessment to $ 3 million (at the September 30, 2021 exchange rate). Notwithstanding the reduced assessment, management and outside counsel continue to believe that the new assessment is not supported by the underlying statutes and relevant case law and have challenged the full amount of the claim. The range of reasonably possible loss is considered to be zero up to the full $ 3 10 million assessment. However, 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 September 30, 2021. In both states, the process for reaching a final resolution to the assessments is expected to be lengthy, and management is not currently able to predict when either case will be concluded. Should the subsidiary ultimately be required to pay any tax, interest, or penalties in either case, the portion paid for tax would generate VAT credits that the subsidiary may be able to recover. Other Legal and Tax Matters Various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management’s current expectation, the effect on the Company’s results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material. Advances to Suppliers In many sourcing origins where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, seedlings, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production, or makes seasonal cash advances to farmers for the procurement of those inputs. These advances are short term, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. In several origins, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to suppliers totaled $ 98 million at September 30, 2021, $ 81 million at September 30, 2020, and $ 144 million at March 31, 2021. The related valuation allowances totaled $ 14 million at September 30, 2021, $ 14 million at September 30, 2020, and $ 18 million at March 31, 2021, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were reduced by net recoveries of approximately $ 44 thousand and increased by net provisions of approximately $ 0.3 million in the six-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These net recoveries and 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. Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of VAT on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At September 30, 2021, the aggregate balance of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $ 55 million ($ 51 million at September 30, 2020, and $ 49 million at March 31, 2021), and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $ 20 million ($ 18 million at September 30, 2020, and $ 19 million at March 31, 2021). The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. 11 Long-Term Debt In December 2020, the Company repaid $ 150 million of revolving credit borrowings used to finance the purchase of Silva with term loans under its existing senior unsecured bank credit facility. The Company increased the borrowings of the senior unsecured five-year and seven-year term loans by $ 75 million each. At September 30, 2021, the five-year term loan maturing December 2023 and the seven-year term loan maturing December 2025 had outstanding borrowings of $ 225 million and $ 295 million, respectively. Under the senior unsecured bank credit facility, the additional $ 150 million of terms loans bear interest at variable rates plus a margin based on the Company's credit metrics and interest payments remained unhedged at September 30, 2021. The Company maintains receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rates swap agreements for a portion of the outstanding five and seven-year term loans. See Note 11 for additional information on outstanding interest rate swap agreements. Shelf Registration and Stock Repurchase Plan In November 2020, the Company filed an undenominated automatic universal shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the future issuance of an undefined amount of securities as determined by the Company and offered in one or more prospectus supplements prior to issuance. A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 5, 2020. 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 through November 15, 2022 or when funds for the program have been exhausted, subject to market conditions and other factors. The program had $ 100 million of remaining capacity for repurchases of common and/or preferred stock at September 30, 2021. NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Basic Earnings Per Share Numerator for basic earnings per share Net income attributable to Universal Corporation $ 19,510 $ 7,502 $ 25,867 $ 14,776 Denominator for basic earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding 24,776,930 24,658,895 24,745,827 24,630,886 Basic earnings per share $ 0.79 $ 0.30 $ 1.05 $ 0.60 Diluted Earnings Per Share Numerator for diluted earnings per share Net income attributable to Universal Corporation $ 19,510 $ 7,502 $ 25,867 $ 14,776 Denominator for diluted earnings per share: Weighted average shares outstanding 24,776,930 24,658,895 24,745,827 24,630,886 Effect of dilutive securities Employee and outside director share-based awards 139,416 111,526 148,539 106,248 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 24,916,346 24,770,421 24,894,366 24,737,134 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.78 $ 0.30 $ 1.04 $ 0.60 NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES The Company operates in the United States and many foreign countries and is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company’s earnings, as can the resolution of 12 pending and contested tax issues. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by a number of factors, including the mix and timing of domestic and foreign earnings, discrete items, and the effect of exchange rate changes on taxes. The consolidated effective income tax rate for the three months and six months ended September 30, 2021 was 15.1 % and 16.5 %, respectively. The consolidated effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2021 was affected by a $ 1.7 million benefit related to a final tax law ruling at a foreign subsidiary. Without this item, the consolidated effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2021 would have been approximately 21.7 % and 22.0 %, respectively. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 was 27.8 % and a benefit of 14.1 %, respectively. The consolidated income tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2020 was affected by a $ 4.4 million net tax benefit for final U.S. tax regulations issued for hybrid dividends paid by foreign subsidiaries. Without this discrete item for the final U.S. tax regulations, the consolidated effective income tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2020 would have been approximately 19.2 %. Additionally, for the six months ended September 30, 2020 the Company recognized $ 1.8 million of interest expense related to a settlement of an uncertain tax position at foreign subsidiary. NOTE 9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES The Company's changes in goodwill at September 30, 2021 and 2020 consisted of the following: (in thousands of dollars) Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of fiscal year $ 173,051 $ 126,826 Foreign currency translation adjustment ( 87 ) 84 Balance at end of period $ 172,964 $ 126,910 The Company's intangible assets primarily consist of capitalized customer-related intangibles, trade names, proprietary developed technology and noncompetition agreements. The Company's intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at September 30, 2021 and 2020 and at March 31, 2021: (in thousands, except useful life) September 30, 2021 Useful Life (years) Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Customer relationships (1) 11 — 13 $ 62,500 $ ( 6,097 ) $ 56,403 Trade names (1) 5 11,100 ( 2,715 ) 8,385 Developed technology (1) 3 4,800 ( 2,800 ) 2,000 Noncompetition agreements (1) 5 1,000 ( 350 ) 650 Other 5 764 ( 692 ) 72 Total intangible assets $ 80,164 $ ( 12,654 ) $ 67,510 September 30, 2020 Useful Life (years) Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Customer relationships 13 $ 9,500 $ ( 548 ) $ 8,952 Trade names 5 3,300 $ ( 495 ) 2,805 Developed technology 3 4,800 $ ( 1,200 ) 3,600 Noncompetition agreements 5 1,000 $ ( 150 ) 850 Other 5 762 $ ( 660 ) 102 Total intangible assets $ 19,362 $ ( 3,053 ) $ 16,309 13 March 31, 2021 Useful Life (years) Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Customer relationships(1) 11 — 13 $ 62,500 $ ( 3,323 ) $ 59,177 Trade names(1) 5 11,100 ( 1,605 ) 9,495 Developed technology(1) 3 4,800 ( 2,000 ) 2,800 Noncompetition agreements(1) 5 1,000 ( 250 ) 750 Other 5 760 ( 678 ) 82 Total intangible assets $ 80,160 $ ( 7,856 ) $ 72,304 (1) On October 1, 2020 the Company acquired 100 % of the capital stock of Silva for approximately $ 164.0 million in cash and $ 5.9 million of working capital on-hand at the date of acquisition. The Silva acquisition resulted in $ 60.8 million of intangibles. See Note 3 for additional information. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the asset's estimated useful economic life as noted above. The Company's amortization expense for intangible assets for the three and six months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was: (in thousands of dollars) Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Amortization Expense $ 2,853 $ 809 $ 5,256 $ 1,617 Amortization expense for the developed technology intangible asset is recorded in cost of goods sold in the consolidated income statements of income. The amortization expense for other intangible assets is recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2021, the expected future amortization expense for intangible assets is as follows: Fiscal Year (in thousands of dollars) 2022 (excluding the six months ended September 30, 2021) $ 4,822 2023 9,204 2024 7,969 2025 8,534 2026 and thereafter 36,981 Total expected future amortization expense $ 67,510 NOTE 10. LEASES The Company, as a lessee, enters into operating leases for land, buildings, equipment, and vehicles. For all operating leases with terms greater than 12 months and with fixed payment arrangements, a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset are recognized in the balance sheet for the term of the lease by calculating the net present value of future lease payments. On the date of lease commencement, the present value of lease liabilities is determined by discounting the future lease payments by the Company’s collateralized incremental borrowing rate, adjusted for the lease term and currency of the lease payments. If a lease contains a renewal option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company accounts for the original lease term and expected renewal term in the calculation of the lease liability and right-of-use asset. 14 The following table sets forth the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet: (in thousands of dollars) September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 March 31, 2021 Assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 33,790 $ 35,665 $ 31,230 Liabilities Current portion of operating lease liabilities $ 8,985 $ 9,105 $ 7,898 Long-term operating lease liabilities 22,530 22,813 19,725 Total operating lease liabilities $ 31,515 $ 31,918 $ 27,623 The following table sets forth the location and amount of operating lease costs included in the Company's consolidated statement of income: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Income Statement Location Cost of goods sold $ 2,721 $ 3,219 $ 5,299 $ 6,130 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 2,261 2,466 4,566 4,656 Total operating lease costs (1) $ 4,982 $ 5,685 $ 9,865 $ 10,786 (1) Includes variable operating lease costs. The following table reconciles the undiscounted cash flows to the operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet: (in thousands of dollars) September 30, 2021 Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities 2022 (excluding the six months ended September 30, 2021) $ 5,287 2023 8,752 2024 6,765 2025 4,856 2026 2,719 2027 and thereafter 7,592 Total undiscounted cash flows for operating leases $ 35,971 Less: Imputed interest ( 4,456 ) Total operating lease liabilities $ 31,515 As of September 30, 2021, the Company had no leases that did not yet commence. 15 The following table sets forth supplemental information related to operating leases: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except lease term and incremental borrowing rate) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 2,840 $ 3,159 $ 5,617 $ 6,187 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating leases 6,310 567 9,051 1,590 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years) 5.51 5.55 Weighted Average Collateralized Incremental Borrowing Rate 4.02 % 4.02 % NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Universal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Interest rate risk has been managed by entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts. However, the Company’s policy also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided by operating activities. Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk In February 2019, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on two outstanding non-amortizing bank term loans that were funded as part of a new bank credit facility in December 2018. Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2021, the total notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $ 370 million, which corresponded with the former original outstanding balance of the term loans. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company converted $ 150 million from the balance in its revolving credit line into the existing term loans, splitting the balance equally between them. At September 30, 2021, the Company is not hedging the interest payments on the additional $ 150 million of term loans. The increase to the principal balance of the term loans does not have an impact to the effectiveness analysis of the interest rate swap agreements. Previously, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges for two outstanding non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid concurrent with closing on the new bank credit facility. Those swap agreements were subsequently terminated in February 2019 concurrent with the inception of the new swap agreements. The fair value of the previous swap agreements, approximately $ 5.4 million, was received from the counterparties upon termination and is being amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through the original maturity dates of those agreements. As of September 30, 2021, $ 0.4 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss to be amortized through December 31, 2021. Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Sales of Crop Inputs, Forecast Purchases of Tobacco, and Related Processing Costs The majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars. However, sales of crop inputs (such as seeds and fertilizers) to farmers, purchases of tobacco from farmers, and most processing costs (such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies where tobacco is grown and processed affect the ultimate U.S. dollar sales of crop inputs and cost of processed tobacco. From time to time, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to buy U.S. dollars and sell the local currency at future dates that coincide with the sale of crop inputs to farmers. In the case of forecast purchases of tobacco and the related processing costs, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. These strategies offset the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for sales of crop inputs, tobacco purchases, and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount 16 hedged. These hedging strategies have been used mainly for tobacco purchases, processing costs, and sales of crop inputs in Brazil, although the Company has also entered into hedges for a portion of the tobacco purchases in Africa. The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward and option contracts entered into for these purposes during the six-month periods in fiscal years 2022 and 2021 was as follows: Six Months Ended September 30, (in millions of dollars) 2021 2020 Tobacco purchases $ 99.7 $ 39.5 Processing costs 18.7 10.5 Crop input sales 20.8 23.5 Total $ 139.2 $ 73.5 Fluctuations in exchange rates and in the amount and timing of fixed-price orders from customers for their purchases from individual crop years routinely cause variations in the U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered into from one year to the next. All contracts related to tobacco purchases and crop input sales were designated and qualified as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, changes in fair values of the forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold upon sale of the related tobacco to third-party customers. In fiscal year 2022, only non-deliverable forward contracts were utilized for the sale of 2022 crop year inputs. Premium payments for option contracts entered into for the sale of crop inputs in fiscal year 2021 were expensed into earnings as incurred. The table below presents the expected timing of when the remaining accumulated other comprehensive gains and losses as of September 30, 2021 for cash flows hedges of tobacco purchases and crop input sales will be recognized in earnings. Hedging Program Crop Year Geographic Location(s) Fiscal Year Earnings Tobacco purchases 2023 Brazil 2024 Tobacco purchases 2022 Brazil 2023 Tobacco purchases 2021 Brazil, Africa 2022 Tobacco purchases 2020 Brazil 2022 Crop input sales 2022 Brazil 2023 Crop input sales 2021 Brazil 2022 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. Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Net Local Currency Monetary Assets and Liabilities of Foreign Subsidiaries Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These subsidiaries normally have certain monetary assets and liabilities on their balance sheets that are denominated in the local currency. Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances to farmers and suppliers, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, recoverable value-added taxes, operating lease liabilities, and other items. Net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars each reporting period, generating gains and losses that the Company records in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the year based on the operating cycle, but it is most common for monetary assets to exceed monetary liabilities, sometimes by a significant amount. When this situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are generated. Conversely, remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens against the U.S. dollar. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses, the Company enters into forward contracts to buy or sell the local currency at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are generally arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary 17 throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The Company is currently using forward currency contracts to manage its exposure to currency remeasurement risk in Brazil. The total notional amounts of contracts outstanding at September 30, 2021 and 2020, and March 31, 2021, were approximately $ 22.3 million, $ 19.8 million, and $ 16.6 million, respectively. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries may utilize short-term local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities, thus hedging a portion of the overall position. Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. 18 Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements Derivative Effective Portion of Hedge Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss $ ( 253 ) $ ( 276 ) $ ( 1,649 ) $ ( 3,973 ) Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings $ ( 2,257 ) $ ( 2,189 ) $ ( 4,480 ) $ ( 4,027 ) Gain on terminated interest rate swaps amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings $ 355 $ 354 $ 708 $ 708 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 loan Cash Flow Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Derivative Effective Portion of Hedge Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss $ ( 5,234 ) $ ( 337 ) $ 2,999 $ ( 1,784 ) Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings $ 1,805 $ ( 6,479 ) $ 1,289 $ ( 7,213 ) 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 $ ( 217 ) $ — $ 451 $ — Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings Selling, general and administrative expenses Hedged Item Description of hedged item Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil and Africa Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges - Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Gain (loss) recognized in earnings $ ( 839 ) $ ( 272 ) $ 3,765 $ ( 416 ) Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings Selling, general and administrative expenses For the interest rate swap agreements, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil and Africa and the crop input sales in Brazil, a net hedge gain of approximately $ 0.5 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2021. That balance reflects gains and losses on contracts related to the 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 Brazil crops, the 2021 Africa crop, and the 2022 and 2021 Brazil crop input sales, less the amounts reclassified to earnings related to tobacco sold through September 30, 2021. Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in 19 earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change in the direct cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer. Generally, margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected. Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2021 and 2020, and March 31, 2021: Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Balance Sheet Location Fair Value as of Balance Sheet Location Fair Value as of (in thousands of dollars) September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 March 31, 2021 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 March 31, 2021 Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Interest rate swap agreements Other non-current assets $ — $ — $ — Other long-term liabilities $ 22,888 $ 37,109 $ 25,719 Foreign currency exchange contracts Other current assets 889 1 1,137 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,152 982 1,031 Total $ 889 $ 1 $ 1,137 $ 26,040 $ 38,091 $ 26,750 Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Foreign currency exchange contracts Other current assets $ 1,028 $ 290 $ 435 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 639 $ 418 $ 791 Total $ 1,028 $ 290 $ 435 $ 639 $ 418 $ 791 Substantially all of the Company's foreign exchange derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets. NOTE 12. 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 acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair values for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present. Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy: Level Description 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date; 2 quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and 3 unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 20 As permitted under the accounting guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of its money market funds. The fair values for those funds are presented under the heading "NAV" in the tables that follow in this disclosure. In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance. Recurring Fair Value Measurements At September 30, 2021 and 2020, and at March 31, 2021, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy or the NAV practical expedient: September 30, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands of dollars) NAV Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Money market funds $ 335 $ — $ — $ — $ 335 Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans — 14,557 — — 14,557 Interest rate swap agreements — — — — — Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 1,917 — 1,917 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value $ 335 $ 14,557 $ 1,917 $ — $ 16,809 Liabilities Interest rate swap agreements — — 22,888 — 22,888 Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 3,791 — 3,791 Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value $ — $ — $ 26,679 $ — $ 26,679 September 30, 2020 Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands of dollars) NAV Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Money market funds $ 1,991 $ — $ — $ — $ 1,991 Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans — 14,495 — — 14,495 Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 291 — 291 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value $ 1,991 $ 14,495 $ 291 $ — $ 16,777 Liabilities Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations - long term $ — $ — $ — $ 2,532 2,532 Interest rate swap agreements — — 37,109 — 37,109 Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 1,400 — 1,400 Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value $ — $ — $ 38,509 $ 2,532 $ 41,041 21 March 31, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands of dollars) NAV Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Money market funds $ 1,992 $ — $ — $ — $ 1,992 Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans — 15,735 — — 15,735 Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 1,572 — 1,572 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value $ 1,992 $ 15,735 $ 1,572 $ — $ 19,299 Liabilities Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations - long-term $ — $ — $ — $ 2,532 $ 2,532 Interest rate swap agreements — — 25,719 — 25,719 Foreign currency exchange contracts — — 1,822 — 1,822 Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value $ — $ — $ 27,541 $ 2,532 $ 30,073 Money market funds The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on NAV, which is the amount at which the funds are redeemable and is used as a practical expedient for fair value. These funds are not classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are disclosed as part of the fair value table above. Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds. Interest rate swap agreements The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Foreign currency exchange contracts The fair values of forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward and option foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations The Company estimates the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations by applying an income approach model that utilizes probability-weighted discounted cash flows. The Company acquired FruitSmart, Inc. in fiscal year 2020 and recognized a contingent consideration liability of $ 6.7 million on the date of acquisition. Each period the Company evaluates the fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations. During the year ended March 31, 2021, the evaluation resulted in a reduction of $ 4.2 million of contingent consideration of the original $ 6.7 million liability recorded. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, an evaluation of the contingent liability resulted in a reduction of the remaining $ 2.5 million contingent consideration recorded. Significant judgment is applied to this model and therefore the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. 22 A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation (Level 3) for the six months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is provided below. (in thousands of dollars) Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Balance beginning of year $ 2,532 $ 6,705 Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability ( 2,532 ) ( 4,173 ) Balance at end of period $ — $ 2,532 Long-term Debt The following table summarizes the fair and carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion at each of the balance sheet dates September 30, 2021, and 2020 and March 31, 2021: (in millions of dollars) September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 March 31, 2021 Fair market value of long term obligations $ 518 $ 370 $ 517 Carrying value of long term obligations $ 520 $ 370 $ 520 The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities. Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis primarily relate to long-lived assets, right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities, goodwill and intangibles, and other current and noncurrent assets. These assets and liabilities fair values are also evaluated for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Accordingly, the nonrecurring measurement of the fair value of these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Acquisition Accounting for Business Combinations The Company accounts for acquisitions qualifying under ASC 805, "Business Combinations," which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of consideration transferred and net assets acquired are determined using a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The Company believes that the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on reasonable assumptions. 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. CIFI As a result of the wind-down of the CIFI operation, the Company recognized restructuring and impairment charges in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 and during fiscal year 2021. At September 30, 2021 assets for the idled CIFI operation consisted of land and buildings. The aggregate fair value and carrying value of those assets was approximately $ 4 million at September 30, 2021. Tanzania Due to business changes that affected the leaf tobacco market in Tanzania and the Company's operations there, an impairment charge of the long-lived assets in Tanzania was recorded in fiscal year 2019 to reduce their carrying value to fair value at March 31, 2019. The long-lived assets consist principally of the Company's processing facility and equipment, storage facilities, tobacco buying and receiving stations, employee housing, and vehicles and transportation equipment. The aggregate fair value and carrying value of those assets following the impairment adjustments was approximately $ 17 million. The fair values of the property, plant and equipment were determined based principally on a probability-weighting of the discounted cash 23 flows expected under multiple operating and disposition scenarios. Significant judgment was required in estimating the amount and timing of the future cash flows associated with the use and disposition of the assets, as well as the probabilities associated with the respective operating and disposition scenarios. NOTE 13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS The Company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering eligible U.S. salaried employees and certain foreign and other employee groups. These plans provide retirement benefits based primarily on employee compensation and years of service. The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans that provide postretirement health and life insurance benefits for eligible U.S. employees attaining specific age and service levels, although postretirement life insurance is no longer provided for active employees. The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Service cost $ 1,653 $ 1,547 $ 47 $ 49 Interest cost 2,254 2,459 241 286 Expected return on plan assets ( 3,387 ) ( 3,679 ) ( 22 ) ( 24 ) Net amortization and deferral 976 1,120 ( 116 ) ( 142 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,496 $ 1,447 $ 150 $ 169 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Six Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Service cost $ 3,303 $ 3,088 $ 94 $ 97 Interest cost 4,513 4,913 480 573 Expected return on plan assets ( 6,772 ) ( 7,356 ) ( 44 ) ( 48 ) Net amortization and deferral 1,952 2,241 ( 231 ) ( 285 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 2,996 $ 2,886 $ 299 $ 337 During the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company made contributions of approximately $ 4.3 million to its pension plans. Additional contributions of $ 1.9 million are expected during the remaining six months of fiscal year 2022. NOTE 14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Universal’s shareholders have approved the Executive Stock Plan (“Plan”) 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 units (“PSUs”), stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. The Company’s practice is to award grants of stock-based compensation to officers on an annual basis at the first regularly-scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior year. The Compensation Committee administers the Company’s Plan consistently, following previously defined guidelines. In recent years, the Compensation Committee has awarded only grants of RSUs and PSUs. Awards of restricted stock, RSUs, and PSUs are currently outstanding under the Plan. The RSUs granted to employees vest in either three or five years from the grant date and are then paid out in shares of common stock. Under the terms of the RSU awards, grantees receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs that vest and are paid out on the same date as the original RSU grant. The PSUs vest at the end of a performance period of three years that begins with the year of the grant, are paid out in shares of common stock shortly after the vesting date, and do not carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting. Shares ultimately paid out under PSU grants are dependent on the 24 achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from zero to 150 % of the stated award. The Company’s outside directors receive RSUs following the annual meeting of shareholders. RSUs awarded to outside directors vest in one or three years from the grant date. Restricted shares vest upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director. During the six-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, Universal issued the following stock-based awards, representing the regular annual grants to officers and outside directors of the Company: Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except share fair value) 2021 2020 RSUs: Number granted 72,860 80,650 Grant date fair value $ 56.31 $ 43.42 PSUs: Number granted 48,650 63,050 Grant date fair value $ 47.95 $ 34.33 Fair value expense for restricted stock units is recognized ratably over the period from grant date to the earlier of: (1) the vesting date of the award, or (2) the date the grantee is eligible to retire without forfeiting the award. For employees who are already eligible to retire at the date an award is granted, the total fair value of all non-forfeitable awards is recognized as expense at the date of grant. As a result, Universal typically incurs higher stock compensation expense in the first quarter of each fiscal year when grants are awarded to officers than in the other three quarters. For PSUs, the Company generally recognizes fair value expense ratably over the performance and vesting period based on management’s judgment of the ultimate award that is likely to be paid out based on the achievement of the predetermined performance measures. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. For the six-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $ 4.1 million and $ 3.7 million, respectively. The Company expects to recognize stock-based compensation expense of approximately $ 2.0 million during the remaining six months of fiscal year 2022. NOTE 15. OPERATING SEGMENTS As a result of recent acquisitions of plant-based ingredients companies, during the three months ended December 31, 2020 management evaluated the Company’s global business activities, including product and service offerings to its customers, as well as senior management’s operational and financial responsibilities. This assessment included an analysis of how its chief operating decision maker measures business performance and allocates resources. As a result of this analysis, senior management determined the Company conducts operations across two reportable operating segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. The Tobacco Operations segment activities 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. Some of these tobacco types are also increasingly used in the manufacture of non-combustible tobacco products that are intended to provide consumers with an alternative to traditional combustible products. The Tobacco Operations segment also provides physical and chemical product testing and smoke testing for tobacco customers. A substantial portion of the Company’s Tobacco Operations' revenues are derived from sales to a limited number of large, multinational cigarette and cigar manufacturers. The Ingredients Operations segment provides its customers with a broad variety of plant-based ingredients for both human and pet consumption. The Ingredients Operations segment utilizes a variety of value-added manufacturing processes converting raw materials into a wide spectrum of fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates, and dehydrated products. Customers for the Ingredients Operations segment include large multinational food and beverage companies, as well as smaller independent entities. FruitSmart and Silva are the primary operations for the Ingredients Operations segment. FruitSmart manufactures fruit and vegetable juices, purees, concentrates, essences, fibers, seeds, seed oils, and seed powders. Silva is primarily a dehydrated product manufacturer of fruit and vegetable based flakes, dices, granules, powders, and blends. In fiscal year 2021, the Company 25 announced the wind-down of CIFI, a greenfield operation that primarily manufactured both dehydrated and liquid sweet potato products. The Company currently evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Operating results for the Company’s reportable segments for each period presented in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income were as follows, including a recast of the new reportable operating segments presentation for all periods presented below: Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES Tobacco Operations $ 396,765 $ 356,619 $ 690,608 $ 654,992 Ingredients Operations 57,190 20,406 113,376 37,844 Consolidated sales and other operating revenues $ 453,955 $ 377,025 $ 803,984 $ 692,836 OPERATING INCOME Tobacco Operations $ 26,914 $ 18,487 $ 35,803 $ 23,536 Ingredients Operations 2,730 ( 1,546 ) 7,079 ( 2,247 ) Segment operating income 29,644 16,941 42,882 21,289 Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates (1) ( 2,363 ) ( 590 ) ( 2,972 ) ( 583 ) Restructuring and impairment costs (2) — — ( 2,024 ) — Add: Other income (loss) (3) 2,532 — 2,532 4,173 Consolidated operating income $ 29,813 $ 16,351 $ 40,418 $ 24,879 (1) Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Tobacco Operations), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. (2) Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. See Note 4 for additional information. (3) Other income represents the reversal of a portion of the contingent consideration liability associated with the acquisition of FruitSmart. See Note 12 for additional information. 26 NOTE 16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the six months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Six Months Ended September 30, (in thousands of dollars) 2021 2020 Foreign currency translation: Balance at beginning of year $ ( 35,135 ) $ ( 42,923 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation ( 2,360 ) 7,629 Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests 156 79 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes ( 2,204 ) 7,708 Balance at end of period $ ( 37,339 ) $ ( 35,215 ) Foreign currency hedge: Balance at beginning of year $ ( 414 ) $ ( 12,226 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $( 512 ) and $ 275 ) 538 571 Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $ 271 and $( 1,501 )) (1) ( 718 ) 5,399 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes ( 180 ) 5,970 Balance at end of period $ ( 594 ) $ ( 6,256 ) Interest rate hedge: Balance at beginning of year $ ( 19,480 ) $ ( 27,402 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $ 346 and $ 835 ) ( 1,303 ) ( 3,138 ) Reclassification of (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $( 792 ) and $( 697 )) (2) 2,980 2,622 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes 1,677 ( 516 ) Balance at end of period $ ( 17,803 ) $ ( 27,918 ) Pension and other postretirement benefit plans: Balance at beginning of year $ ( 52,008 ) $ ( 69,046 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation: Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $( 354 ) and $( 381 )) (3) 1,611 879 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes 1,611 879 Balance at end of period $ ( 50,397 ) $ ( 68,167 ) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period $ ( 106,133 ) $ ( 137,556 ) (1) Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco and crop input sales is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 11 for additional information. (2) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the underlying debt, or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 11 for additional information. (3) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 13 for additional information. 27 NOTE 17. CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES A reconciliation of the changes in Universal Corporation shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the three and six months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 (in thousands of dollars) Universal Corporation Non-controlling Interests Total Universal Corporation Non-controlling Interests Total Balance at beginning of three-month period $ 1,303,825 $ 37,730 $ 1,341,555 $ 1,236,244 $ 42,089 $ 1,278,333 Changes in common stock Accrual of stock-based compensation 1,119 — 1,119 1,075 — 1,075 Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes ( 26 ) — ( 26 ) ( 19 ) — ( 19 ) Dividend equivalents on RSUs 272 — 272 256 — 256 Changes in retained earnings Net income 19,510 2,245 21,755 7,502 747 8,249 Cash dividends declared Common stock ( 19,195 ) — ( 19,195 ) ( 18,877 ) — ( 18,877 ) Dividend equivalents on RSUs ( 272 ) — ( 272 ) ( 257 ) — ( 257 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) ( 7,901 ) ( 185 ) ( 8,086 ) 13,576 235 13,811 Other changes in noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders — ( 3,696 ) ( 3,696 ) — ( 3,695 ) ( 3,695 ) Balance at end of period $ 1,297,332 $ 36,094 $ 1,333,426 $ 1,239,500 $ 39,376 $ 1,278,876 28 Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 (in thousands of dollars) Universal Corporation Non-controlling Interests Total Universal Corporation Non-controlling Interests Total Balance at beginning of year $ 1,307,299 $ 41,126 $ 1,348,425 $ 1,246,665 $ 42,619 $ 1,289,284 Changes in common stock Accrual of stock-based compensation 4,085 — 4,085 3,708 — 3,708 Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes ( 2,458 ) — ( 2,458 ) ( 1,949 ) — ( 1,949 ) Dividend equivalents on RSUs 536 — 536 500 — 500 Changes in retained earnings Net income 25,867 ( 200 ) 25,667 14,776 373 15,149 Cash dividends declared Common stock ( 38,365 ) — ( 38,365 ) ( 37,740 ) — ( 37,740 ) Dividend equivalents on RSUs ( 536 ) — ( 536 ) ( 501 ) — ( 501 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 904 ( 156 ) 748 14,041 79 14,120 Other changes in noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders — ( 4,676 ) ( 4,676 ) — ( 3,695 ) ( 3,695 ) Balance at end of period $ 1,297,332 $ 36,094 $ 1,333,426 $ 1,239,500 $ 39,376 $ 1,278,876 NOTE 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On October 4, 2021 the Company acquired 100 % of the capital stock of Shank's Extracts, Inc. ("Shank's"), a privately-held, specialty ingredient, flavoring, and food company with bottling and packaging capabilities, for approximately $ 100 million in cash. The Company utilized cash-on-hand and revolving credit facility borrowings to fund the acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition of Shank's operations, the Company agreed to acquire the real property assets related to the Shank's business for approximately $ 13 million in cash, which is expected to close in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Following the acquisition, Shank's became a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of the Company. 29