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

Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $47.75.

VVV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Robert W. Baird began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Baird R W upgraded shares of Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective on the stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VVV. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 valued at $93,215,000 after buying an additional 54,545 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in shares of Valvoline by 52.4% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 53,580 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,242,000 after acquiring an additional 18,414 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 212.0% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 158,983 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $6,653,000 after buying an additional 108,020 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 17.6% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 13,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $570,000 after purchasing an additional 2,035 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in Valvoline by 190.5% during the third quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 24,714 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,034,000 after buying an additional 16,206 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of VVV opened at $42.32 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $41.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.45 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41 and a beta of 1.46. Valvoline has a fifty-two week low of $33.86 and a fifty-two week high of $48.26.

Valvoline declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program on Tuesday, July 30th that allows the company to buyback $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the basic materials company to buy up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.