Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Should You Buy?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 36,176 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 81% from the previous session's volume of 19,933 shares.The stock last traded at $18.72 and had previously closed at $18.10.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VHI has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Valhi from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Valhi from $20.00 to $12.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 28th.

Valhi Price Performance

The stock's fifty day moving average price is $16.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 2.67. The firm has a market cap of $524.68 million, a PE ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.29.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $538.60 million during the quarter. Valhi had a net margin of 5.54% and a return on equity of 8.60%.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 9th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.73%. Valhi's payout ratio is currently 7.80%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Valhi by 1.2% during the first quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 237,729 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,863,000 after purchasing an additional 2,753 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in Valhi by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 144,202 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $2,343,000 after buying an additional 2,753 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Valhi by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 131,217 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,069,000 after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valhi in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,011,000. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its position in Valhi by 52.9% during the fourth quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 50,414 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 17,439 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.83% of the company's stock.

Valhi Company Profile

Valhi, Inc engages in the chemicals, component products, and real estate management and development businesses in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company's Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2), which are white inorganic pigments used in various applications by paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers.