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

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VHI has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays reduced 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 report on Tuesday, May 20th.

Valhi Stock Down 0.9%

The company has a 50-day moving average of $16.15 and a 200-day moving average of $18.11. The company has a current ratio of 2.67, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $512.23 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 1.29.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 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 Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valhi by 1.2% in 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 last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valhi by 1.9% in 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 during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valhi by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 131,217 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,069,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares during the last quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valhi in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,011,000. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Valhi by 52.9% in the fourth quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 50,414 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 17,439 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.