Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Trading Up 7.1% - What's Next?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 7.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $18.70 and last traded at $18.52. Approximately 15,206 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 37% from the average daily volume of 24,175 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.29.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Barclays lowered their price target on Valhi from $20.00 to $12.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen raised Valhi from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th.

Valhi Stock Performance

The company's 50-day moving average price is $16.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.21. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $512.23 million, a PE ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 1.29.

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

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 9th were paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 9th. Valhi's payout ratio is presently 7.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Valhi by 12.2% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,325 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake 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. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in shares of Valhi by 105.8% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 2,488 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,279 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Valhi by 6,670.8% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,625 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,601 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in Valhi by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 131,217 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,069,000 after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. 3.83% of the stock is currently owned by 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.