Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $43.67.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on VVV. TD Cowen started coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho decreased their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $38.00 target price (down from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st.

Valvoline Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE VVV traded down $0.45 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $33.03. 985,757 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,368,521. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.80 and a beta of 1.32. The company's 50 day moving average price is $35.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.63. Valvoline has a 12 month low of $31.02 and a 12 month high of $48.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 15,305 shares of the company's stock, valued at $572,560.05. This trade represents a 28.16 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline during the fourth quarter valued at about $54,114,000. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI raised its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 35.1% in the fourth quarter. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI now owns 4,221,275 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $152,726,000 after buying an additional 1,096,486 shares during the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 11.1% in the fourth quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 10,818,256 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $391,405,000 after buying an additional 1,080,114 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 653.5% during the fourth quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 1,147,254 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $41,508,000 after buying an additional 994,988 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 4th quarter valued at $35,051,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Company Profile

Valvoline Inc engages in the operation and franchising of vehicle service centers and retail stores in the United States and Canada. The company, through its service centers, provides fluid exchange for motor oil, transmission and differential fluid, and coolant; parts replacement for batteries, filters, wiper blades, and belts; and safety services, such as tire inflation and rotation, bulbs, and safety checks.