Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the fifteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $42.3077.

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on VVV. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $44.00 target price (down from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Cfra Research raised shares of Valvoline to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Valvoline to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th.

Insider Activity at Valvoline

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was acquired 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 directly owned 46,614 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO J Kevin Willis purchased 12,725 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $39.41 per share, with a total value of $501,492.25. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 12,725 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $501,492.25. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cooke & Bieler LP purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $110,501,000. Boston Partners purchased a new stake in Valvoline during the first quarter worth about $82,748,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Valvoline during the second quarter worth about $57,739,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in Valvoline by 118.8% in the second quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,678,878 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $101,449,000 after buying an additional 1,454,458 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Channing Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Valvoline by 189.8% in the second quarter. Channing Capital Management LLC now owns 2,163,631 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $81,937,000 after buying an additional 1,417,156 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Stock Down 1.4%

Valvoline stock opened at $39.0640 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.17 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.73. Valvoline has a fifty-two week low of $31.01 and a fifty-two week high of $43.74. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.10.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last released its quarterly 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 84.85% and a net margin of 16.43%.The company had revenue of $439.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $436.35 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.45 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

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.