Valvoline $VVV Position Lowered by Confluence Investment Management LLC

Key Points

• Confluence Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) by 1.5%, holding 498,862 shares valued at approximately $18.89 million after selling 7,343 shares.
• CFO J Kevin Willis purchased 12,725 shares of Valvoline stock for about $501,492, significantly increasing his position in the company.
• Valvoline has seen mixed ratings from analysts, with Goldman Sachs upgrading its rating to buy and a price target increase to $45, while Wall Street Zen downgraded it to sell.

Confluence Investment Management LLC trimmed its position in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 1.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 498,862 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 7,343 shares during the period. Confluence Investment Management LLC owned 0.39% of Valvoline worth $18,892,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,425 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $775,000 after buying an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 4.2% during the first quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 9,544 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $332,000 after purchasing an additional 387 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Valvoline by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,773 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $607,000 after purchasing an additional 409 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its stake in Valvoline by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 6,033 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 416 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Valvoline by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 22,124 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $800,000 after buying an additional 438 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on VVV shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Sunday, September 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Cfra Research upgraded shares of Valvoline to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Valvoline to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $42.77.

Valvoline Price Performance

NYSE VVV opened at $40.47 on Friday. 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 company has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.22. The company has a market cap of $5.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.82 and a beta of 1.21. Valvoline has a 1 year low of $31.01 and a 1 year high of $43.74.

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

Valvoline Company 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.

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