Mutual of America Capital Management LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

Mutual of America Capital Management LLC decreased its position in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) by 3.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 65,418 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 2,654 shares during the period. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.05% of Valvoline worth $2,277,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VVV. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth about $54,114,000. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI lifted its stake 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 valued at $152,726,000 after buying an additional 1,096,486 shares in the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP lifted its stake in Valvoline by 11.1% in 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 lifted its stake in Valvoline by 653.5% in the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 1,147,254 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $41,508,000 after purchasing an additional 994,988 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,051,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.5%

VVV stock opened at $36.41 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $36.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.93. Valvoline has a 52-week low of $31.02 and a 52-week high of $47.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.67 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $403.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $405.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.37 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.78 per share, with a total value of $101,340.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 46,614 shares in the company, valued at $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $44.00 target price (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, TD Securities initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $42.54.

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.