Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $47.75.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Stephens started coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird started coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 target price for the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Valvoline from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline during the first quarter worth approximately $369,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 10.6% during the first quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 6,478 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 621 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 10.5% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,414 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $732,000 after buying an additional 1,565 shares in the last quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 9.1% in the first quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 85,851 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $3,826,000 after acquiring an additional 7,150 shares during the period. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp grew its stake in shares of Valvoline by 176.9% in the first quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 1,886 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 1,205 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE:VVV opened at $41.92 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57. Valvoline has a 12-month low of $29.15 and a 12-month high of $48.26. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $41.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $42.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.27 and a beta of 1.45.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its earnings results 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). Valvoline had a return on equity of 182.88% and a net margin of 10.45%. The firm had revenue of $421.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $425.17 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.43 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Valvoline will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Valvoline declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the basic materials company to buy up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

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.