Lazard Asset Management LLC Makes New Investment in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 35,586 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $1,287,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of VVV. Huntington National Bank boosted its position in Valvoline by 1,004.9% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares in the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 4th quarter worth approximately $73,000. Finally, Atala Financial Inc bought a new position in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth approximately $77,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VVV has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $44.00 price objective (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, May 9th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reduced their target price on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valvoline currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $42.33.

Valvoline Price Performance

VVV traded up $0.59 during trading on Thursday, reaching $34.20. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,520,352 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,417,364. The company has a market cap of $4.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.36 and a beta of 1.20. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $34.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $36.65. Valvoline Inc. has a 1 year low of $31.02 and a 1 year high of $48.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 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 analysts' expectations of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.37 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In related news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,305 shares in the company, valued at approximately $572,560.05. This represents a 28.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

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.