Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Given New $12.00 Price Target at Barclays

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Free Report) had its price target decreased by Barclays from $20.00 to $12.00 in a report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an underweight rating on the basic materials company's stock.

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised Valhi from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th.

Valhi Price Performance

Shares of VHI traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $15.09. 5,324 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,838. The stock has a market cap of $426.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 1.33. Valhi has a 1-year low of $14.20 and a 1-year high of $41.75. The company has a 50 day moving average of $16.29 and a 200-day moving average of $19.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.79.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $538.60 million during the quarter. Valhi had a net margin of 4.29% and a return on equity of 6.90%.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 9th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 9th. Valhi's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VHI. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Valhi by 6,670.8% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,625 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in Valhi by 105.8% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 2,488 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 1,279 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in Valhi by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,325 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Valhi by 276.3% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,565 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $130,000 after buying an additional 4,086 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in shares of Valhi in the fourth quarter worth $202,000. 3.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valhi Company Profile

Valhi, Inc engages in the chemicals, component products, and real estate management and development businesses in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company's Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2), which are white inorganic pigments used in various applications by paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers.