Gotham Asset Management LLC Purchases 14,720 Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 17.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 98,211 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 14,720 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC owned 0.08% of Valvoline worth $3,553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Valvoline by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 5,604 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $204,000 after acquiring an additional 590 shares in the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 6.9% during the fourth quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 48,814 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,766,000 after purchasing an additional 3,170 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 92.0% during the fourth quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 17,307 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $626,000 after purchasing an additional 8,293 shares during the last quarter. FORA Capital LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 138.1% during the 4th quarter. FORA Capital LLC now owns 39,140 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,416,000 after buying an additional 22,703 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in shares of Valvoline by 437.2% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 133,140 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $4,817,000 after buying an additional 108,355 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.4%

VVV stock traded up $0.15 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $35.11. 143,528 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,405,643. 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 firm's 50 day moving average price is $34.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.68. The stock has a market cap of $4.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.80 and a beta of 1.20. Valvoline Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $31.02 and a fifty-two week high of $48.27.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.02). The firm 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%. Valvoline's revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $42.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In related news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,305 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $572,560.05. The trade was a 28.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company 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.