Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $42.7692.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Valvoline from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Wall Street Zen cut Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Cfra Research raised Valvoline to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Valvoline in a report on Wednesday.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO J Kevin Willis acquired 12,725 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.41 per share, for a total transaction of $501,492.25. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 12,725 shares in the company, valued at $501,492.25. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 13.0% during the first quarter. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI now owns 4,769,346 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $166,021,000 after acquiring an additional 548,071 shares during the period. Boston Partners grew its stake in Valvoline by 67.3% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,977,293 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $150,604,000 after purchasing an additional 1,599,973 shares in the last quarter. Alua Capital Management LP increased its holdings in Valvoline by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Alua Capital Management LP now owns 3,734,466 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $129,997,000 after purchasing an additional 129,185 shares during the period. Sculptor Capital LP raised its position in Valvoline by 47.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 3,000,000 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $113,610,000 after purchasing an additional 966,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cooke & Bieler LP purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $110,501,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of Valvoline stock opened at $34.46 on Thursday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $38.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.42. The company has a market cap of $4.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.03 and a beta of 1.18. 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 one year low of $31.01 and a one year high of $43.74.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $439.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $436.35 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 84.85% and a net margin of 16.43%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.45 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS 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.