Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Stock Rating Upgraded by Cfra Research

Cfra Research upgraded shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) to a hold rating in a report published on Monday morning,Zacks.com reports.

VVV has been the subject of a number of other reports. TD Securities assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $42.54.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VVV traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $39.07. 1,941,968 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,518,943. Valvoline has a 52 week low of $31.02 and a 52 week high of $48.27. The company's 50 day moving average price is $36.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.97 billion, a PE ratio of 18.97 and a beta of 1.18. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $403.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 106.36% and a net margin of 15.97%. Valvoline's revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.37 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 3,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $33.78 per share, with a total value of $101,340.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 46,614 shares in the company, valued at $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VVV. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Valvoline by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,642,754 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $59,435,000 after purchasing an additional 16,912 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Valvoline by 36.9% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 39,602 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,433,000 after buying an additional 10,683 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter valued at $632,000. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 35,530 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,285,000 after buying an additional 281 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 4th quarter worth about $9,420,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.