Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Shares Up 5.3% - Time to Buy?

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) traded up 5.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $36.26 and last traded at $36.18. 699,238 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 1,427,747 shares. The stock had previously closed at $34.36.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $44.00 target price (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $42.54.

Valvoline Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of $34.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.55 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.02). Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. The firm had revenue of $403.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $405.38 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.37 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VVV. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. American National Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 221.8% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Valvoline

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.