Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Valvoline saw a remarkable increase in short interest, rising by 1,667.2% to a total of 10,170,000 shares by July 15th.
• The company's recent earnings report indicated an EPS of $0.34, missing estimates by $0.02, while revenue grew 3.7% year-over-year.
• Analysts have mixed views on Valvoline, with average price targets ranging from $39.00 to $44.00 and a current consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 10,170,000 shares, agrowthof1,667.2% from the June 30th total of 575,500 shares. Currently,8.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.5 days. Currently,8.0% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $44.00 price target (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on Valvoline from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $42.15.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In other news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.78 per share, for a total transaction of $101,340.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 46,614 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.66% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Homestead Advisers Corp acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,269,000. Corton Capital Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $218,000. Geneva Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valvoline by 55.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC now owns 1,946,505 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $73,714,000 after purchasing an additional 693,846 shares during the period. Cooke & Bieler LP acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $110,501,000. Finally, Amalgamated Bank increased its position in Valvoline by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 60,840 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,304,000 after buying an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Trading Up 3.6%

VVV traded up $1.30 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $37.55. 1,409,766 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,747,965. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.25 and a beta of 1.17. Valvoline has a 1-year low of $31.01 and a 1-year high of $43.74. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $36.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 106.36% and a net margin of 15.97%. Valvoline's revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.45 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.