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

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have 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 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $45.33.

VVV has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Stephens started coverage on Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

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

Valvoline Stock Down 1.0 %

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

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.