Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Stake Increased by Voloridge Investment Management LLC

Voloridge Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 89.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 511,271 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 241,520 shares during the quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.40% of Valvoline worth $18,498,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Huntington National Bank boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 814 shares during the period. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $73,000. Finally, Atala Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $77,000. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. TD Securities began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $42.33.

Valvoline Stock Performance

VVV stock traded up $0.86 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $34.77. The company had a trading volume of 459,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,420,661. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $34.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.38. Valvoline Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $31.02 and a fifty-two week high of $48.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.42 billion, a PE ratio of 16.63 and a beta of 1.20.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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). Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. The company had revenue of $403.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $405.38 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Valvoline news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.78 per share, with a total value of $101,340.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 46,614 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,574,620.92. This represents a 6.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

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.