Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. reduced its position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 57.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 64,974 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 88,457 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s holdings in Valvoline were worth $2,442,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in Valvoline by 9.0% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 121,945 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $4,583,000 after buying an additional 10,056 shares during the period. Alesco Advisors LLC bought a new position in Valvoline in the 4th quarter worth $1,201,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. lifted its position in Valvoline by 51.1% during the fourth quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 18,742 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $704,000 after purchasing an additional 6,337 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 66,273 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,491,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of VVV stock traded up $1.16 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $43.02. The stock had a trading volume of 1,114,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,192,142. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $43.09 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.79. Valvoline Inc. has a one year low of $29.15 and a one year high of $45.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.14 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.83, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 136.59% and a net margin of 11.78%. The business had revenue of $388.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $390.75 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on VVV shares. Morgan Stanley raised Valvoline from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $37.00 to $44.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $36.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Valvoline from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Mizuho began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $42.75.

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.