Leaf tobacco supplier Universal Corporation (UVV) will raise its quarterly dividend by 1.9 percent to $0.55 per share in the first quarter of 2018.

The increased dividend will be paid on February 5, 2018, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 8, 2018. The new dividend yield for UVV is 4.0%.

George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation noted, "As we approach our 100(th) anniversary, we are proud to continue to deliver value to our shareholders, and dividends are one of the main ways we accomplish that.  Today's increase is our 47th consecutive annual common dividend increase.  We have raised our common dividend every year since 1971."

Universal Corporation is a leaf tobacco supplier. The Company is engaged in procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation operates in more than 30 countries spanning five continents.