The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $45.00 target price on the basic materials company's stock, up from their previous target price of $40.00.
Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. TD Securities began coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 target price for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $42.54.
View Our Latest Analysis on VVV
Valvoline Stock Performance
Shares of NYSE:VVV remained flat at $36.65 during midday trading on Tuesday. 1,675,444 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,440,681. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.66 billion, a PE ratio of 17.54 and a beta of 1.20. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.11. 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 has a 52 week low of $31.02 and a 52 week high of $48.27.
Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share 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 analysts' expectations of $405.38 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity
In other news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $33.78 per share, with a total value of $101,340.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 46,614 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,574,620.92. The trade was a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Valvoline in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in Valvoline by 221.8% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company's stock.
Valvoline Company Profile
(
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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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