Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New $316,000 Investment in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

Key Points

• Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV), purchasing 9,081 shares valued at approximately $316,000 during the 1st quarter.
• Valvoline's latest quarterly earnings report indicated an earnings per share of $0.34, missing analysts' expectations of $0.36, despite a year-over-year revenue increase of 3.7%.
• Analysts have varied ratings for Valvoline, with five holding a "hold" rating, nine a "buy" rating, and one a "strong buy," as the stock's consensus target price is set at $42.15.

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 9,081 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $316,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Valvoline by 13.8% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 9,411 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in Valvoline by 26.5% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 33,872 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,225,000 after buying an additional 7,097 shares during the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 26.1% in the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 21,434 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $775,000 after acquiring an additional 4,438 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 88,444 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,200,000 after acquiring an additional 6,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth $73,000. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $33.78 per share, for a total transaction of $101,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 46,614 shares in the company, valued at $1,574,620.92. The trade was a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.66% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Valvoline Stock Performance

NYSE:VVV traded up $0.92 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $36.29. 3,260,849 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,811,060. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $36.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.95. The firm has a market cap of $4.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.62 and a beta of 1.17. Valvoline has a one year low of $31.01 and a one year high of $43.89.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $403.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a net margin of 15.97% and a return on equity of 106.36%. The company's revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.37 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on VVV shares. Cfra Research raised shares of Valvoline to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $44.00 price objective (down from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $42.15.

Valvoline Profile

Valvoline Inc engages in the operation and franchising of vehicle service centers and retail stores in the United States and Canada. The company, through its service centers, provides fluid exchange for motor oil, transmission and differential fluid, and coolant; parts replacement for batteries, filters, wiper blades, and belts; and safety services, such as tire inflation and rotation, bulbs, and safety checks.