Sculptor Capital LP Purchases 1,226,000 Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Sculptor Capital LP increased its position in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 187.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,879,500 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,226,000 shares during the period. Valvoline comprises about 1.5% of Sculptor Capital LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Sculptor Capital LP’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $81,194,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. US Bancorp DE boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 309.1% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 36,332 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,365,000 after purchasing an additional 27,450 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its holdings in Valvoline by 58.8% during the fourth quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 85,367 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $3,208,000 after purchasing an additional 31,620 shares during the period. Isthmus Partners LLC bought a new position in Valvoline during the fourth quarter valued at $265,000. Evoke Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth $4,083,000. Finally, Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 38.3% in the fourth quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC now owns 45,065 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,694,000 after buying an additional 12,490 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE VVV opened at $42.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a PE ratio of 33.69 and a beta of 1.45. Valvoline Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.15 and a 1 year high of $48.26. The business’s 50-day moving average is $42.03 and its 200 day moving average is $42.44.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $421.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $425.17 million. Valvoline had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 182.88%. The business’s revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.43 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Valvoline announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, July 30th that permits the company to buyback $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the basic materials company to repurchase up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on VVV shares. Citigroup increased their price objective on Valvoline from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Valvoline in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Baird R W upgraded Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valvoline has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $47.57.

Valvoline Company 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.