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

Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $45.33.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Friday, December 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Valvoline by 0.4% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,096,436 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $171,436,000 after buying an additional 16,916 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 422,989 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $17,702,000 after acquiring an additional 31,661 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Valvoline by 28.8% in the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 126,232 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $5,453,000 after acquiring an additional 28,254 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new stake in Valvoline in the third quarter valued at approximately $4,628,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Valvoline by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,226,769 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $93,215,000 after acquiring an additional 54,545 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Stock Performance

NYSE:VVV opened at $35.44 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $4.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.88 and a beta of 1.45. Valvoline has a 1-year low of $33.86 and a 1-year high of $48.26. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $39.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $41.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.61.

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.