Universal (UVV) Proxy filing summary

Executive summary

• Annual meeting scheduled for August 4, 2026, with key votes on director elections, executive compensation, and auditor ratification.

• Strategic focus remains on maximizing the tobacco business, growing the ingredients segment, and ensuring long-term shareholder value.

• Fiscal 2026 saw a 1% revenue decrease, net income of $32.6M, and continued dividend increases for the 56th consecutive year.

• Over $81M returned to shareholders in dividends in 2026, with a dividend yield of 6.22%.

Voting matters and shareholder proposals

• Shareholders will vote to elect three directors for three-year terms, approve a non-binding say-on-pay resolution, and ratify Ernst & Young LLP as auditor.

• Board recommends voting FOR all proposals.

• No other shareholder proposals or contested matters are on the agenda.

Board of directors and corporate governance

• Board consists of nine members post-meeting, with a majority independent and diverse in skills, gender, and ethnicity.

• Lead Independent Director role transitions to Diana F. Cantor after the meeting.

• Five standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Human Resources, Executive, Finance and Pension Investment, and Nominating, Governance and Risk.

• All directors attended at least 75% of meetings in 2026.

• Board and committee charters, governance guidelines, and codes of conduct are publicly available.