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 two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $18.66 and traded as low as $15.33. Valhi shares last traded at $15.76, with a volume of 30,647 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have 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 lowered 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.

Valhi Stock Up 1.5%

The stock has a market capitalization of $445.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 1.28. The business's 50-day moving average is $15.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

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

Valhi Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Investors of record on Monday, June 9th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 9th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.03%. Valhi's payout ratio is presently 7.80%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valhi

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its stake in Valhi by 105.8% during the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 2,488 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 1,279 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in Valhi during the fourth quarter worth about $315,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised 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 purchasing an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in Valhi during the fourth quarter worth about $203,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new position in Valhi during the fourth quarter worth about $202,000. 3.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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