Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Receives Equal Weight Rating from Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley reiterated their equal weight rating on shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports. Morgan Stanley currently has a $38.00 price objective on the basic materials company’s stock, down from their prior price objective of $42.00.

VVV has been the topic of several other research reports. Stephens began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.89.

Valvoline Stock Performance

NYSE VVV opened at $36.46 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $37.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $40.64. Valvoline has a 1 year low of $33.86 and a 1 year high of $48.26. The firm has a market cap of $4.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.51 and a beta of 1.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In other Valvoline news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were bought at an average price of $39.50 per share, with a total value of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $39.64 per share, with a total value of $99,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at $1,523,285.92. This trade represents a 6.96 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the period. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. ORG Partners LLC lifted its stake in Valvoline by 466.7% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,050 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 83.0% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 46.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.