Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Given New $48.00 Price Target at Royal Bank of Canada

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) had its target price boosted by Royal Bank of Canada from $46.00 to $48.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the basic materials company’s stock.

VVV has been the subject of several other reports. Mizuho reduced their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective on the stock. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Three equities research 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $45.11.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of Valvoline stock opened at $38.74 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $4.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54 and a beta of 1.45. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $33.90 and a twelve month high of $48.26. The company’s fifty day moving average is $37.02 and its 200 day moving average is $39.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valvoline will post 1.64 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VVV. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in Valvoline by 92.1% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the period. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 466.7% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,050 shares during the period. Finally, 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 worth $58,000 after buying an additional 604 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.