Gamco Investors INC. ET AL Decreases Holdings in Valvoline $VVV

Key Points

• Gamco Investors INC. ET AL has reduced its stake in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) by 6.4%, now holding approximately 102,025 shares valued at $3.55 million.
• Valvoline's latest earnings report showed an EPS of $0.47, surpassing expectations, with revenue reaching $439 million, indicative of a 4.2% increase year-over-year.
• Institutional investors collectively hold 96.13% of Valvoline's stock, reflecting a strong interest from hedge funds and recent acquisitions by various investment firms.

Gamco Investors INC. ET AL trimmed its holdings in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 6.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 102,025 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 6,975 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL owned approximately 0.08% of Valvoline worth $3,551,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Valvoline in the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Valvoline in the first quarter worth approximately $40,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in Valvoline by 221.8% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its position in Valvoline by 50.8% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,440 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 485 shares during the period. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in Valvoline by 145.4% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,531 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 907 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valvoline news, CFO J Kevin Willis acquired 12,725 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were bought at an average price of $39.41 per share, with a total value of $501,492.25. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 12,725 shares of the company's stock, valued at $501,492.25. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on VVV shares. Zacks Research upgraded Valvoline to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating and set a $44.00 price target (down from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Stephens raised their price target on Valvoline from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Valvoline from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Valvoline from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $42.31.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of VVV traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $38.67. 1,527,090 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,654,187. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $31.01 and a twelve month high of $43.74. The business's 50-day moving average price is $37.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.11. The company has a market capitalization of $4.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.99 and a beta of 1.21.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 84.85% and a net margin of 16.43%.The company had revenue of $439.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $436.35 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.45 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.