Valvoline $VVV Shares Sold by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

Key Points

• The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company reduced its stake in Valvoline by 8.7%, holding 1,066,265 shares valued at approximately $37.1 million after selling 101,985 shares in the first quarter.
• Despite this reduction, several institutional investors, including Landscape Capital Management and Champlain Investment Partners, increased their holdings in Valvoline, indicating renewed interest from the investment community.
• Analysts have mixed views on Valvoline's stock, with ratings varying from "Hold" to "Overweight," and an average price target among analysts set at $42.31.

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company reduced its position in shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 8.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,066,265 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 101,985 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned about 0.84% of Valvoline worth $37,117,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Boston Partners acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 1st quarter worth $82,748,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its stake in Valvoline by 653.5% during the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 1,147,254 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,508,000 after purchasing an additional 994,988 shares in the last quarter. Channing Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 1st quarter worth $25,985,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in Valvoline by 144.6% during the 1st quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,224,420 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $42,622,000 after purchasing an additional 723,938 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 1st quarter worth $21,756,000. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In other news, CFO J Kevin Willis bought 12,725 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The stock was acquired at an average cost 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 approximately $501,492.25. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition 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 Stock Performance

Shares of Valvoline stock traded up $0.65 on Thursday, hitting $39.01. The stock had a trading volume of 1,349,092 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,719,536. Valvoline has a 52-week low of $31.01 and a 52-week high of $43.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37. The stock has a market cap of $4.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.14 and a beta of 1.21. The company's 50 day moving average price is $37.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.13.

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on VVV. Zacks Research raised Valvoline to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Stephens boosted their target price on Valvoline from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Valvoline from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 30th. 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 report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Valvoline from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $42.31.

About Valvoline

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.