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

Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the eleven brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $44.40.

A number of analysts have weighed in on VVV shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th.

Valvoline Price Performance

VVV stock opened at $35.28 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. Valvoline has a 12 month low of $33.90 and a 12 month high of $48.27. The stock has a market cap of $4.48 billion, a PE ratio of 16.88 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $36.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.73.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In other news, insider Julie Marie O’daniel sold 6,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,305 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $572,560.05. The trade was a 28.16 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. MAI Capital Management increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 2.4% during the third quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $486,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,425 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $775,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in Valvoline by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 35,530 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,285,000 after buying an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Research Inc. increased its position in Valvoline by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Research Inc. now owns 41,045 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,485,000 after buying an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in Valvoline by 10.9% in the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,548 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.