GAMMA Investing LLC Acquires 1,093 Shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) by 101.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,170 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,093 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $76,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of VVV. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Valvoline in the 4th quarter worth approximately $54,114,000. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 35.1% in the 4th quarter. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI now owns 4,221,275 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $152,726,000 after purchasing an additional 1,096,486 shares in the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP grew its holdings in Valvoline by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 10,818,256 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $391,405,000 after buying an additional 1,080,114 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its position 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 purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth $35,051,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VVV opened at $38.97 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23. Valvoline has a 12 month low of $31.02 and a 12 month high of $48.27. The company has a market capitalization of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.92 and a beta of 1.18. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $35.90 and its 200 day moving average is $35.87.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last issued its earnings results 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). Valvoline had a net margin of 15.97% and a return on equity of 106.36%. The company had revenue of $403.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $405.38 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.37 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on VVV shares. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. TD Securities started coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. TD Cowen started coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $44.00 price target (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $42.54.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $33.78 per share, for a total transaction of $101,340.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 46,614 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,574,620.92. This represents a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.