Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Takes $8.52 Million Position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 235,481 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $8,520,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.18% of Valvoline at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of VVV. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Valvoline by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 35,530 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,285,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Research Inc. lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Research Inc. now owns 41,045 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Valvoline by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,548 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its holdings in Valvoline by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 56,792 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,055,000 after buying an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 19,215 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 373 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Price Performance

NYSE:VVV traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $34.02. The stock had a trading volume of 1,404,602 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,382,862. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.28 and a beta of 1.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $34.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.70. Valvoline Inc. has a one year low of $31.02 and a one year high of $48.27.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. As a group, analysts expect that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. TD Securities assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and issued a $38.00 price target (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. TD Cowen started coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Four research 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valvoline presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $42.67.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In related news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction on 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 $572,560.05. The trade was a 28.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

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.