Confluence Investment Management LLC Takes $9.10 Million Position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Confluence Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 251,391 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,095,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC owned about 0.20% of Valvoline at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 83.0% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 604 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Valvoline by 46.5% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on VVV. Stephens began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valvoline currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $45.78.

Valvoline Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:VVV opened at $35.84 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $39.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $41.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $4.60 billion, a PE ratio of 22.12 and a beta of 1.43. Valvoline Inc. has a 52 week low of $33.86 and a 52 week high of $48.26.

Insider Activity at Valvoline

In other news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $76,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 14,956 shares in the company, valued at $598,240. This represents a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby acquired 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were bought at an average price of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 26,437 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.66% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Valvoline 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.