Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Stock Crosses Below 200-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $19.40 and traded as low as $14.53. Valhi shares last traded at $14.63, with a volume of 31,998 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on VHI. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Valhi from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Barclays dropped their target price 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.

Valhi Stock Performance

The company's 50-day simple moving average is $16.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.40. The company has a current ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market cap of $414.01 million, a P/E ratio of 4.69 and a beta of 1.33.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.59 EPS 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 for the quarter.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.19%. Valhi's payout ratio is currently 7.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in Valhi by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 141,449 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,308,000 after buying an additional 2,600 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in Valhi by 12.2% in the 4th 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 in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Valhi by 42.9% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,386 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $477,000 after buying an additional 6,117 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in Valhi by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 8,845 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Valhi by 276.3% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,565 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 4,086 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.83% of the company's stock.

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.

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