Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries

	Nine Months Ended December 31, 2012									Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands of dollars)	Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total			Universal Corporation			Non-controlling Interests			Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,183,451		$	22,539		$	1,205,990		$	1,185,606		$	13,799		$	1,199,405
Changes in common stock
Issuance of common stock	493			—			493			140			—			140
Repurchase of common stock	(969		)	—			(969		)	(661		)	—			(661		)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	4,686			—			4,686			4,857			—			4,857
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	(2,970		)	—			(2,970		)	(1,522		)	—			(1,522		)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	430			—			430			384			—			384
Changes in retained earnings
Net income	106,648			7,586			114,234			66,302			4,625			70,927
Cash dividends declared
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock	(11,137		)	—			(11,137		)	(11,137		)	—			(11,137		)
Common stock	(34,600		)	—			(34,600		)	(33,555		)	—			(33,555		)
Repurchase of common stock	(4,681		)	—			(4,681		)	(2,827		)	—			(2,827		)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(430		)	—			(430		)	(384		)	—			(384		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	(634		)	292			(342		)	(11,880		)	(98		)	(11,978		)
Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes	1,023			—			1,023			(4,963		)	—			(4,963		)
Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes	(501		)	—			(501		)	(533		)	—			(533		)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of income taxes	7,168			—			7,168			3,272			—			3,272
Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	—			(1,945		)	(1,945		)	—			(94		)	(94		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,247,977		$	28,472		$	1,276,449		$	1,193,099		$	18,232		$	1,211,331