Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Share Price Passes Below 200 Day Moving Average - What's Next?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $16.69 and traded as low as $16.08. Valhi shares last traded at $16.29, with a volume of 13,597 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on VHI shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Valhi from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Valhi from $20.00 to $12.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Sell" and a consensus target price of $12.00.

Valhi Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $16.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $458.35 million, a P/E ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 1.19.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.73). Valhi had a net margin of 4.69% and a return on equity of 7.02%. The company had revenue of $540.40 million for the quarter.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 5th. Valhi's payout ratio is presently 9.33%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valhi

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Valhi in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 133.9% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,867 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 2,786 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 3.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 56,110 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $907,000 after purchasing an additional 1,933 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Valhi during the first quarter valued at $289,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 1.9% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 144,202 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,343,000 after purchasing an additional 2,753 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.