Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Stock Crosses Below Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $20.03 and traded as low as $15.12. Valhi shares last traded at $15.59, with a volume of 15,972 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Valhi Trading Down 2.6%

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $16.29 and a 200-day moving average of $19.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.79. The company has a market cap of $414.95 million, a PE ratio of 4.70 and a beta of 1.33.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.07). Valhi had a return on equity of 6.90% and a net margin of 4.29%. The firm had revenue of $538.60 million during the quarter.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 9th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 9th. Valhi's dividend payout ratio is 7.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VHI. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 141,449 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,308,000 after buying an additional 2,600 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,325 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $101,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Valhi by 42.9% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,386 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $477,000 after acquiring an additional 6,117 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. raised its position in shares of Valhi by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 8,845 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $207,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Valhi by 276.3% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,565 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 4,086 shares in the last quarter. 3.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Valhi

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.