EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)202620252024
Basic Earnings Per Share
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation$32,637 $95,047 $119,598 
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding25,037,983 24,947,208 24,851,858 
 Basic earnings per share
$1.30 $3.81 $4.81 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation$32,637 $95,047 $119,598 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding25,037,983 24,947,208 24,851,858 
Effect of dilutive securities
 Employee and outside director share-based awards133,179 180,148 189,056 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share25,171,162 25,127,356 25,040,914 
Diluted earnings per share
$1.30 $3.78 $4.78 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2026Jun 1, 2026Showing above
2025May 30, 2025
2024May 29, 2024
2023May 25, 2023
2022May 27, 2022
2021May 28, 2021
2020May 28, 2020
2019May 24, 2019
2018May 25, 2018
2017May 26, 2017
2016May 27, 2016

About Earnings Per Share Disclosures

The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.

Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.