Mizuho Cuts Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Price Target to $42.00

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) had its target price lowered by Mizuho from $46.00 to $42.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has an outperform rating on the basic materials company’s stock.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Stephens initiated coverage on Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valvoline currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $45.33.

Valvoline Stock Performance

NYSE VVV opened at $35.44 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $4.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.88 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. The company’s 50 day moving average is $39.24 and its 200-day moving average is $41.17. Valvoline has a 12-month low of $33.86 and a 12-month high of $48.26.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valvoline news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 14,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $598,240. The trade was a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 2,500 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $39.64 per share, for a total transaction of $99,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,523,285.92. The trade was a 6.96 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VVV. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted 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 valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 604 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Valvoline by 46.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.